Halong Bay

We woke up this morning to another wonderful breakfast at the Golden Silk Hotel in Hanoi. They have a full spread of food in their complimentary breakfast buffet, ranging from bacon and omelets, to pho. To top it off, they have freshly squeezed watermelon, orange, and passion-fruit juice. We know it is fresh squeezed from the flavor, and because Sarah ordered some watermelon juice with dinner yesterday, and shortly after, we saw the staff walk in with a watermelon in a bag. There was the sound of the juicer, and she was then delivered a tall daiquiri of juice. After breakfast we checked out of the hotel, and took the four hour drive to Halong Bay, where we got on a cruise.

The buildings in Hanoi are very narrow. This is three different buildings.

The boat was relatively small, with 16 cabins and holding 32 people. The cruise so far has been the highlight of the trip so far. We have had two gourmet meals, a cooking class, and a tour of a fishing village, all with the most amazing backdrop I have ever seen. Tall spires of rock jut out of the water creating steep cliffed islands which can reach more than 300 feet high. The fishing village was a bunch of floating houses tied together in a cove formed from several of these rock islands. I must have taken fifty or more pictures, but none of them capture the beauty and awe of this place.

I know this is a picture overload, but there is no real way to describe how spectacular the scenery was here.

They showered us with rose pedals as we boarded.

The boat felt classic, like the Titanic without the sinking.

The Vietnam flag.

We took a raft ride around the fisherman's floating village. The entire village was in a circular cove with a tall spire in the middle.

Seth and Mai.

Our rowboat's captain.

David and Anita, with the arch as a backdrop.

Sarah's mom enjoying herself.

This boy is rowing the boat with his feet.

Our quarters were tight but luxurious.

The small intimate setting of the boat, the exotic location, and the attentiveness of the crew combine to make me feel like a multi-millionaire on vacation. I guess that is true because I did take out a little more than 5,000,000 dong the other day to pay for whatever expenses I accrue, and any frivolous purchases Sarah and I may desire.