After two days of non-stop traffic and noise and energy in Hanoi, our next stop was an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, about a 3-hour trip by car from Hanoi. The trip itself was interesting since we went through the outskirts of Hanoi – the parts of the city that most tourists do not visit – and then the Vietnam countryside. And the outskirts of Hanoi are certainly different from the Old Quarter – much more “third world” and very reminiscent of India, with lots of small stores on dirt roads and people riding bicycles along the highway. Definitely gave us a sense of being somewhere different.
The cruise on Ha Long Bay was incredible! The boat was beautiful and very comfortable, but it’s the landscape that makes the trip – just amazing, with what seems like hundreds of limestone islands and towers in the middle of the ocean. Classic karst topography. The boat cruised around the islands for a few hours before anchoring for the evening. Then, we had time to do some kayaking on our own and to swim. The scenery truly was spectacular.
Beautiful pictures. I missed going to Halong Bay, but you've captured it wonderfully! Love the pics of Hanoi also. I loved the food in VietNam. I hope you when you're in Hoi An, you climb up Marble Mountain. Quite worth it! Not sure if you're going to Saigon, but shop shop shop there. Beautiful lacquered and pearl-inlaid crafts.
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