The Sound of Silence The best way to experience Halong is in the water, rowing a kayak. The peaceful beauty envelopes you and words escape you. The only sounds you can hear are the soft splashes of your paddle piercing the stillness of the water. The kayaks are able to nestle in close to the karsts. I wondered why I hadn't seen any rock climbing with nothing but rock formations surrounding us. Then when we got within arms distance and were able to touch them,...

How long to Ha Long? Up for a 7 am breakfast, I really needed that egg sandwich to last me to Halong Bay. The mini-bus (a van for those of you back home) was driven by Mr. Victory who's real name escapes me, but translated we're told it means Victory. Ausie and Lauren and I are off. "Mr. Victory, how long?" was about all the English he understood, although he was sweet enough to try as he stopped on the side of the road to get Lauren a cold ...

How long to HaLong? Day1: Up for a 7am breakfast I really needed that egg sandwich to last me to Halong Bay. The minibus (a van for those of you back home) was driven by Mr. Victory, who's real name escapes me, but translated we're told it means Victory. "Mr. Victory, how long?" was about all the English he understood, although was sweet enough to try as he stopped on the side of the road to get Lauren a cold coke. Funny enough, she has asked h...