After the basic of Sapa to the luxury of a Cruise in Haylong Bay. Bit of a panic when my booked cruise let me down at collection time, but the hotel I was being collected at got on the phone and booked me another with collection 15 mins after I asked them, a very good service from the hotel that had looked after me during my sickness in Hanoi as well. A four hour bus trip to the bay and then transfer onto the cruise ship, very nice, drinks on arrival and sunshine everywhere which was good as I understand that it had been very overcast and rainy lately. There is an alternative list of the seven natural wonds of the world and Haylong Bay is one of them, I can see why, amazing rock structures emerging from the water all around, rumour has it that many years ago a dragon descended from the mountains and gouged out valleys and crevasses as its tail whipped across the land, then it plunged into the sea and the area was filled with water, Haylong Bay means 'where the dragon descends into the sea' I like that story, not sure it is true but you never know. Some nice people on the boat, all couples apart from some Danish guys who were clearly out just to have fun and they were great company. Met Nii and Serena who came from near Croydon, Nii with his Arsenal shirt always gets the conversation going and then in the evening joined them and an Indian couple, the chap also had Arsenal colours on, perhaps next year and I will be able to chat to them on a level footing with Palace in the Premiership, I hope so. There were two couples on honeymoon as well and an elderly couple from Dublin who proved that it is never too late to go traveling, note to self! Kayaking, an impressive large cave and a climb up many steps to a high viewpoint were the trips from the boat, food was very good and plentiful but the most impressive part of the cruise was the bay itself, amazing views in the glorious sunshine together with a sunset to compare with the one in Laos. A really good way to relax and recharge for my next travels down through Vietnam.