So we arrived in Halong Bay (Thurs 9th) at 12.30 and climbed aboard our boat. There was 13 of us in total, 2 couples from Oz, and group of 3 girls from Israel, a German and Sweedish girl, us and two Americans. \and then of course there was our tour guide...he was called Son but for some reason he thought that was hard for us to prounounce so he told us to call him Mountain - that's what his name means in Vietmanese, so Mountain it was. On boarding the boat we had lunch - it was a massive spread - they had prepared far to much but it was good. After lunch we all went to put our stuff in our cabines. they were so cute - all wooden and compact - it was so sureal opening your bedroom door and looking out to sea :) after a quick shower we all headed up on to the top deck to take in the magnificant Halong Bay. We drove into the bay and the first stop was a massive massive cave which was discovered bythe French many years ago - we went for a walking tour through the cave - it was spectacular! Our next stop was to park up for the night - this allowed us to jusp off the boat and go swimming - the water was lovely and warm and was very refreshing to be swimming in such beautiful surroundings. The first time we jumped in we did so off of the first level - the second time we jumped off the second level - it took Gill and Heather a wee while to actually jump but they did so in the end :)

After drying off we sat on the top deck to watch the sun set but some of the islands were in the way so it wasnt too amazing. At tea we sat with the two \american girls, Lauren and Heather - we then sat chatting for a further 3 hours before hitting the sack.

Next morning (13th) we got up early for breakfast and then we left the bay and sailed past many more islands, heading for Cat Ba island - only 8 of the 13 were dfoing the 3 day trip so we were dropped off on Cat Ba and the others remained on the boat heading back to the mainland. Cat Ba island is a national park and looks exactly like the set of LOST!!! After a short drive, we jumped out of minibus and entered the unknown - we were going to climb a small hill of 225metres in the boiling heat and jungle this is a lot harder than it sounds. The first half of the climb was all steps - this was the hardest part. We then made our way to the top slowly with stops for rest. On reaching the top the view was amazing and everyone was sweaty messes! On the top there was a 30m high viewing tower - the four of us (us two and americans) started to climb it - Gill suffered from vertigo so headed back down but the rest of us climbed to the top - this viewing tower seemed to sway in the wind and was a bit rickety shackety - the planks of wood you stood on at the top could be lifted up etc but you could see for miles - it was amazing. It was a horible thought knowing we had to climb back down the mountain but it wasnt nearly as bad as the incline.

We drove to Cat Ba Town where we were split between two hotels - lunch was served there before we headed kayaking. We kayaked to Monkley island which took about and hour. Gill and I had a dodgy kayak that liked to veer to one side - so we zig zaged our way accross the sea! never the less, we reached Monkey island with very sore arms! the monkeys were soooo adorable and there were little baby ones - one girl got a little too close and the monkeys chased her. We then spent the rest of the time swimming in the sea and spying on Laurens husband (a guy she thought was a hotty). We had so much fun. We had to kayak back to the mainland - half way out to sea my paddles broke in half - it was so incredibly funny that we were stranded with one set of paddles - Montain and his friend came to the rescue and gave me their paddles and they used the broked ones! We had dinner that evening before heading to meet Lauren and Heather for drinkies. We ended up in a karaoke bar - and cutting a long story short - the girls ended up singing after some banter from Frenchies about Americans being chickens - was so funny.

Sat 11th - early start again today as we had to go and get back on a boat to take us to the main land. We actually ended up on the same bopat as Laurens husband and chatted to him the whole journey back through Halong Bay which made the trip for Lauren ha! We stopped off at a floating fishing villiage and took a small baot into some caves before heading back to Halong City. Here we all had lunch then got back on the bus to the capital Hanoi. Gill and I were the first to be dropped off so we said bye to everyone, especially the girls and Mountain and planned to meet up with Lauren in Thailand as she works there and Heather in NYC!!!

Halong Bay was by far the most beautiful place either os us have ever been - we know we are slow putting pics up but it takes such a long time as internet connection sooo slow - do google Halong though because words cant describe how pretty it is.

Ciao for now

Mel and Gill xoxox