Halong Bay

This region is so spectacular that it was recognized by UNESCO as an area of significant natural beauty that is is not listed on the World Heritage list.  We booked a 2 day tour and joined 14 others for a tour of the Bay.  There are just under 3000 islands here in the South China Sea and apparently the limestone formations are unique in the world.  We boarded a medium sized boat, were fed lunch and began our tour.  Unfortunately, being winter, it was overcast and drizzly so the full splendor of these islands coundn't be fully appreciated.  We got to explore an enormous cave, which had been used as a hospital during the war because it was invisible to the enemy.  We cruised around a bit more before parking in a small bay for the evening.  We were surrounded by tiny islands that towered above us.  We got into 2 person kayaks to paddle around.  We went through a small cave and explored another small bay on the other side.  An obnoxios Canandian guy, from Winnipeg no less, aided by a tall Austrian man, was ore interested in splashing all the other kayakers than seeing the sights.  Just when I thought I was able to escape his wrath, and manage to stay dry, he completely drenched me, completely unprovked I might add!  It was warm enough so I didn't mind getting wet but it was the water that worried me.  There was more rubbish in it than in a landfill and in the morning I watched brown sludge pour out the side of another boat.  Yuck!  You could see oil slicks on the surface of the water- it was really foul.  Not exactly what you'd call environmentally freindly and to think my tourist dollars contributed to this. Humph.

boat traffic

After the evening meal, we were left to our own devices.  We spent the evening drinking red wine on the roof deck of the boat, swapping travel sotires with the various foriegners.  A North African-French guy kept affectionately patting me on the back when I told him about our travels through Morocco in 2001.  

famed islands

Pete and I were a bit sick when we booked the otur so when given the option of sleeping on the boat  or in a hotel on an island, we chose the island.  In reality, however, this choice did not exist but thankfully both of us were feeling miles better and the idea of sleeping on the boat did not turn our stomaches as much as it did the day before.  The walls betweent he cabin were so thin, however, that we could hear the big Italian guy snoring in the other room.  But what really kept me awak that night was the massive thunder and lightening storm.  The lightening bounced around the towering stone islands and thunder shook the boat.  All the while, Pete was snoring away but I had my eyes out the window. 

goof ball

And this is how I spent Valentines Day.

Greetings from Halong bay

like a postcard