http:hongkongvietnam.blogspot.com.au
12 September 2018
This morning we were picked up from our Hotel for a three and half hour drive to Halong Bay where we experienced an overnight cruise on Halong Bay in a Junk. This trip had been on my bucket list for quite a while and I was going to experience it on my 75th birthday with my daughter Robyn. How fortunate am I?
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| Luxurious 10 seater bus took us to Halong Bay |
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| We had WiFi so able to catch up on messages |
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| Leaving Hanoi behind and heading for Halong Bay |
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| Railway crossing with interesting boom gate arrangement |
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| Our stretch stop along the way |
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| We were very comfortable |
On arrival in Halong Bay we were given refreshments and a brief cruise briefing. Soon we, our luggage and supplies were on board a raft and heading to our Junk - Perla Dawn Sails. Each Junk tows their own raft to enable passengers to get on and off the Junk at the various activities like kayaking and snorkelling.
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On board our raft
heading for our Junk - Perla Dawn Sails |
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| Staff waving as we come closer |
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About 30 passengers enjoyed overnight cruise on Halong Bay
Junk had two decks, each cabin had a verandah |
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We followed the green line
that converted into the pink line |
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| Our cabin was luxurious |
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| Our cabin with verandah |
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| What a way to relax |
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| Relaxing on the deck |
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| Dragon fruit and mango |
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Luxurious bathroom
but no time to have a bath |
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| Lunch was served |
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| Fruit platter |
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| Savoury dishes |
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| Seafood |
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| Lunch on board Perla Dawn Sails |
Halong Bay is listed with the blessing of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site status and protection.
Halong Bay is breathtakingly beautiful and spans 1553 square kilometres with around 2000 limestone islands and islets piercing its waters, formed as far back as 500 million years.
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After lunch we sail amongst
the fantastically shaped islands |
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| Relaxing on Perla Dawn Sails |
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| Perla Dawn Sails |
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| On board Perla Dawn Sails |
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| Top deck |
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| Robyn on top deck |
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| Enjoying the views from top deck |
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| Cruising on Halong Bay |
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| Cruising on Halong Bay |
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| Lady trying to sell her wares |
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| Quick relax before snorkelling |
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| Our raft towed along with us |
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| About to go exploring the cave & islands |
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| Perla Dawn Sails with her sails up |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Going through Sung Sot Cave on Halong Bay |
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| We went through Sung Sot Cave on Halong Bay |
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| Our rower on Halong Bay |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Snorkelling on Halong Bay |
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| Sunset on Halong Bay |
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| Sunset on Halong Bay |
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| Sunset on Halong Bay |
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| Table decorations of vegetables & fruit |
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| Musician by night, our steward by day |
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Dinner on top deck on balmy night
We invited Stuart to join us |
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My 75th birthday tomorrow
Happy birthday and candles to mark the occasion |
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| Crew giving an item |
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| I had a massage |
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| Robyn enjoyed her massage also |
13 September 2018 - My 75th birthday
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| Early morning tai chi class |
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| Sunrise over Halong Bay |
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I was up to see sun rise on my 75th birthday
Still in pyjamas |
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| Breakfast on board Junk |
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| Omelette for breakfast |
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| Breakfast Vietnam style |
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| Lady trying to sell her wares |
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Today we went kayaking around
Drum Cave on Halong Bay |
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| Kayaking on Halong Bay |
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| Kayaking on Halong Bay |
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| Kayaking on Halong Bay |
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| Kayaking on Halong Bay |
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| Kayaking on Halong Bay |
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| Kayaking on Halong Bay |
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| Halong Bay |
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| Time to relax before lunch |
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| Happy 75th birthday Joy |
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| On board Perla Dawn Sails |
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| We befriended Stuart from Newcastle |
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| Cooking demonstration |
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| Fruit carving demonstration before lunch |
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| Got involved in cooking demonstration |
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| Vietnamese lunch before disembarking |
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| On board our tow boat, heading back to shore |
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| Hanoi in sight |
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| A bigger than normal house |
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| Hanoi traffic |
We were fortunate to have our Halong Bay two day cruise, as a Typhoon was brewing off Manila and heading for Hong Kong where we had been just 5 days earlier, then coming to northern Vietnam. Our cruise was the last one until the weather cleared. To us, the weather was perfect.
If you wish to contact the author, Joy Olney with any comments, please email me on:
joyolney@gmail.com.au
