Fit Like from Halong Bay,
Well Halong Bay was something else. Over 3000 islands above sea level all with massive limestone carrasats and fishing boats floating through the labyrinth of islands. We booked a 3day 2night tour with the Hostel we stayed at in Hanoi as met really nice people and it sounded to be like a booze cruise but at the same time seeing and experience everything Halong Bay had to offer.
Our first day consisted of a bus from our hostel to Halong City where the port is for all the boats that venture out into Halong Bay. On the bus we had the chance to introduce ourselves to everyone that would be joining us on our "Jolly Roger" boat. There were of us in total, 5 English, 2 Northern Irish, 1 Swiss, 4 Canadians, 6 Americans and 1 Swedish/1English tour guides. All were in our age range so we had a very boozy time for the 3days with all of them.
Once we arrived at the Halong City port we were transferred to the Jolly Roger, checked into our cabin and set sail whilst having an excellent lunch on board. The scenery around us from start to finish was absolutely breath taking and we eventually dropped anchor so we could all jump off and go for a swim. I say all of us but after her very painful memories of the rope swings in Vang Vieng Brishay decided she'd rather chill on board with her Voddie OJ. Jonny jumped off but just pencil dived in not like the American girl who tried a front flip and landed flat on her back from like a 14ft jump. To say her back was bruised was an under-statement. After a swim it was time to kayak around the bay taking in all the scenery. There was a near by lagoon the guide was aware of so we kayaked there and back in about 3hours so were all glad to be back on board the boat and get cleaned up for the night ahead.
Well what a night. After a huge round of drinking games and a barrel of laughs we were all absolutely smashed and then had a mini disco on board. Jonny set the tone and got everybody jigging (Apart from the English) when he played Andy Stewart - Muckin O Geordie's Byre. We got to bed at like 3/4amish ready for our 7am wake up call. The following morning we both woke up rather worse for wear but had some breakfast on the boat and were ready to see our desert island for the night. The island we stayed on was called Castaway Island and had been leased by the Hostel for 50years so was only us on the island. Was again unbelievable scenery with hammocks, volleyball net and our bamboo shacks lining the beach. The day was spent mellowing around on the beach with Jonny playing Beerisby (Cross between playing Frisby and getting smashed). For supper we had a nice BBQ and then it was back on the sauce for some more drinking games. Identical to the previous night everyone ended up smashed and then decided it was time for some skinny dipping. Whilst in the water it was pretty cool as everytime you moved little glimmers of light shown through and were told this was the plankton.
The next morning everyone woke up as rough as a badgers ar*e again at 7am for our boat trip back to Halong City and then bus back to the Hostel at Hanoi. We arrived back at the hostel around 4pm and were deadbeat so just hit the sack so were ready for our onward journey south the following day to Ninh Binh.
Until Then Folks......
J + B