Ha Long Bay

July 18, 2018

Quick flight from the Ho Chi Minh City to Hai Phong then a cab ride to Ha Long Bay. We discovered later that we were actually in the smaller, quieter suburb of Bai Chay.

July 19, 2018

I was hoping to have my first ever scuba dive in Ha Long Bay. Alas, it turned out there is no diving because the waters are murky and not too interesting. Instead, the team tried to find a bay tour but got lost and ended up getting caught in storm, after storm. So we decided to book a tour for Friday instead.

We dipped in and out of coffee shops and noodle houses with plastic child-size stools and tables.

We went shopping in Vincom Plaza where my shoulders were too big for any clothing. There was an ice skating rink near the food court and that was a nice way to spend $3 for an hour of fun. The children were fascinated by Rachel but I skated away from them.

When the rain stopped, we walked along the bay and found brightly colored fishing boats and a park with a large Dalmatian statue. We had drinks on a rooftop bar with a view of the bay and the park. Dinner was my favorite meal of the trip: hot pot with more fixins than I could imagine for $25 for all three of us including beers.

Relationship status, in case you were wondering…

July 20, 2018

Easily the longest tourist day of the entire trip.

Boat tour started at Tuan Chau Wharf

Ha Long Bay

Can you see the little ears of the stone dog/cat?

Fighting Cock Islet is the symbol of Ha Long Bay.

Sung Sot Cave is one of the largest caves of Ha Long Bay.

The quality and quantity of food at every single meal surprised and delighted me throughout the entire trip. This was only a portion of the food that they continued to bring out fish, chicken, clams and more!

If you tell me not to swim in the bay, I will 100% want to swim in that bay. Unless you tell me it’s a tidal flush and then I will not.  There was also a pearl farm in this area of Ha Long Bay.

The final stop on the tour was Titop Island. There was a small beach for swimming and coconut stands that we unsuccessfully tried to haggle to 30,000VND. At the top of the mountain, Rachel was kind enough to take a series of yoga photos you can find on my instagram @sweetnattydee

After the tour, we rushed home and showered the layers of sand off ourselves. Rachel and I were debating taking a three hour taxi to Hanoi but when we found out it was 1,500,000VND, we decided on the bus for 100,000VND each.

Check back next week to see what kind of trouble Rachel and I get into on the Hanoi Walking Street.