FootLoose in Asia This journal is primarily for family and friends to follow our progress on our SouthEast Asia adventure through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and possibly Malaysia and Myanmar (Burma). Hopefully there will also be some useful information to others planning a trip to thease areas.

Halong Bay, Vietnam – 14 to 15 February, 2007 The minibus picked us up from the hotel in Hanoi just before 8:00 AM as planned. We were the second pick up as only one other couple was on the bus so we chose the second seat back. After three more stops, the minibus was full with 14 tourists plus the driver and guide, so every seat was taken. It would be about a four hour drive to the port of Halong Bay, so we settled back for the ride. We arrived at the port just about noon, and were shuffled to a boat for our assigned tour. There were dozens of boats, each with probably twenty to thirty people on them, and they were moored about five deep. Our boat was near the outside edge, so we had to cross across three or four other boats before reaching ours. The boat was sectioned into eight table areas, four on each side, with seating for six at each table. As there weren’t that many people, we were able to stake out a table for ourselves. We soon left port, and because we were one of the boats moored furthest out, we were one of the first to shove off. As we cruised towards the many islets and Cat Ba Island where we would spend the night, we looked behind and we saw what can only be described as the Vietnamese Navy following us. All of the dozens of boats left at the same time and were just behind us as we cruised. It wasn’t long before we entered the area where the islands rise from the sea as very high and narrow shapes. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate with us, and the sky was overcast and the island shrouded in a mist. Many of the islands have names related to their perceived shapes such as “Fighting Cock” which from one angle appears to be two roosters fighting (a sport that is still practiced in some areas here). We stopped briefly at a floating fish shop where they had live fish in pens, and you could add some fresh fish, cuttlefish, squid, prawns, crabs, or shellfish to the standard meal provided as part of the trip. All for an additional and inflated cost of course. It seemed like only minutes after we left the floating fish shop that lunch was served at our tables. The standard fare consisted of pork, fish, spring rolls, vegetables, fried tofu, and fresh fruit. The local family we sat with during lunch had added a fresh fish, some mussels, and some crabs from the floating shop to their meal, and they graciously offered to share some with us. All in all it was a good meal. After lunch we pulled up to one island and visited a cave nicknamed Heavenly Cave. It is a huge and beautiful cave, but very busy as all the boats stop there and there is a steady stream through it. While there we learned of the local legends about how a dragon dove into the sea and created the bay, and how the cave was the home of a dragon and his wife who had many little dragons and then split up to become all the ethnic people in Vietnam. At least we think it went something like that. From the cave, we sailed through many more islands toward Cat Ba Island. Cat Ba is a large island composed primarily or national park and one small town which has become somewhat of a resort area for both foreign tourists and upscale Vietnamese. We arrived in Cat Ba about 4:30 PM, and boarded an old and decrepit bus for a 30 minute ride to town. When we arrived in town, we were dropped off a one hotel with a single Japanese girl, while all the others were sent to another hotel even though were all on the same tour and had paid the same price. When we questioned why we were left at a crap hotel when everyone else went to a more modern and upscale hotel, we were told they were both two star hotels, but we knew better. This was just another reason we should not have booked with the travel agent in Hue. When D questioned them about the hotel when we booked the trip, the answer was “don’t worry madam, we book you in good hotel”. We won’t be recommending that agent for any business, and in fact will soon post a warning for other travelers to avoid them. After checking in, we did our usual walkabout. We only had an hour before the dinner provided by the hotel as part of the trip, but that was all that was needed to cover most of the town along the front. We were again surprised at how quiet the town seemed to be given it was high season, but evidently it is busier on weekends when the locals invade it. One of the things Halong Bay is famous for is its cheap pearls. While on our walkabout we saw a few shops selling pearls and checked out the prices, but D decided to think about it before buying. We made our way back to the hotel for a group dinner with the three of us (D, J, and the Japanese girl), which not surprisingly turn out to be a mediocre meal. We had noticed an internet café next to the hotel, so after dinner we stopped there for a beer and to catch up on emails. While there we discussed pearl buying strategy, and D departed with a fistful of cash and a target price while J checked emails and accounts. D was soon back with two necklaces and two bracelets that are even knotted between each pearl. She got the pearls for a great price but there are a few imperfections in the pearls. D said that adds character and the price was right. We were awakened in the middle of the night by only the second rain we experienced second leaving Singapore. Unfortunately our room was just above the tin roof covering the pool hall below, and between the thunder and the heavy rain there was a constant clatter. The rain has passed by the next morning, and the bus picked us up from the hotel for the short shuttle back to the other side of the island and the boat ride back to Halong Bay port. Once again we climbed across a couple of other boats to reach ours and began the trip back. Again the weather was overcast and misty, so we never did see or photograph the true beauty of the area. We arrived back in Halong Bay just after noon, and after waiting 45 minutes for our minibus, we were shuttled to a local restaurant for lunch. This was again a group lunch as is customary here with assorted dishes set on the table and everyone helping themselves from each with chopsticks. It was then back on the bus for the four hour journey back to Hanoi. While Halong bay is a beautiful area to cruise through with mountainous outcrops that reminded us of our visit to Guilin, China many years ago, we really were not impressed with Cat Ba Island. We would also recommend to other travelers to take a smaller and more personal cruise through the area if their budget will allow it. Next stop – Return to Hanoi.