8am pick up from the Star Old Quarters Hotel and we were on our way to Halong Bay alongside the Liverpool boys. First impressions; cream leather seats, air con...was this right bus, or had we struck lucky for once? Staying with tradition, the driver treated us to some unorthodox over taking maneouvres when the gap didnt exist-forcing the poor moto users on the dirt at times. Three further hours on the road with a brief food stop off (high quality cheese 'Laughing Cow' and salad sandwich) we were at the port. We were definately not the only ones going to Halong Bay. Probably over a 100 junk boats moored ready to fuel what is one of Vietnam's key tourist sites. We boarded our boat the Poisedon to find nothing short of luxury, comfy bed with a sea view and a clean marble bathroom awaited us. Were we on the right boat??? We were asked to hit the dining area where we were treated to a lemon juice welcome drink followed by a multiple course array of various fish, I even got involved with the squid, of which I am now a fan. After lunch we headed to the top deck to find more than enough sun loungers for us 12 on board, with foam padding! These came in useful as we slowly cruised through the limestone natural masterpiece. We seemed to have also struck lucky with the weather, sunshine all the way. Around an hour later we were leaving the boat heading for the caves, or Surprise caves as we were told by Shiny shoes our guide, as named by Paul.

The caves lived up to their name, massive and again well formed, as we progressed they got bigger and better. Artificial coloured lighting was in place to show off every detail. They were obviously another key site for Vietnam with a specially made path taking us through, what was almost a conveyor belt of tourists. Pictures taken, we got 30 mins of kayaking around the scenary, where me and April had to start to become coordinated as it was doubles only!

After dinner, dominated by battered fish varieties this time (maybe they were trying to make us feel at home), we started playing cards on the top deck with some more english and dutch friends we met on the boat. We could hear Shiny shoes kicking off the Karaoke downstairs and it wasn't long before he was requesting our voices to join him. Indeed join him we did! A contraversial rendition of We didn't start the fire and surprise inclusion of Ba Ba Black Sheep were the highlights of the set. We finished the night with cards fuelled by a little contraband beer and 'special water' we had smuggled onboard earlier. Regulations were that if we used our own alcohol we would get taxed on it as the captain had a responsibility for us, so instead we should buy the extortionately priced (2 pound) a bottle beer provided by the boat. Cats and dancing concluded the nights entertainment.

An early start by me, April and Paul at 6am we caught a beautiful sunrise, while I nearly lost the camera overboard! We had another sunbathing session as we cruised back after breakfast. Before we departed we had an unexpected lunch were literally we had 10 different courses arrive on our table...they just kept on coming and I was happy to do the honours.