Well Halong Bay, I feel so lucky that I've had the opportunity to go and see it with my own eyes.

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and even though we didn't have the best weather (just kind of misty)
it was still absolutely stunning. There's around 2000 limestone karsts and isles sprinkled around the water in all different shapes and sizes. All topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly out of the ocean. So basically it's pretty damn cool.

Got picked up in the morning and taken to the port where we got on the boat ready for our two nights, three day trip. Had some lunch as we set sail and our first stop was a pretty amazing cave. Didn't think I was into them, but this one blew me away.

Then we just made our way slowly through the limestone structures, stopping in a sweet spot to watch the sunset. Not going to lie, was possibly the most romantic thing I've ever done. So glad I got to share it with someone.

Organisation of the tour was shocking but ended up getting off the boat (leaving people floating around in kayaks) and heading onto the island of Cat Ba for our first nights stay. Got dropped off at a hotel, but we had paid a little more to stay in a beach bungalow. So a guy drove me, Steve, Steve's bag, plus my 16k bag on a SCOOTER (still don't know how it even worked) to Cat Ba Beach Resort. Was set right on the beach and was well worth the extra money. Enjoyed dinner and a lovely walk along the beach.

After our great buffet breakfast, we got picked up early and taken to the National Park to go for a morning hike. Wasn't too strenuous, but the 360 views at the top were amazing. So many peaks. Got chatting to a lovely lady from Mexico up there and walked down with her.

Bus came to pick us up, and with the high quality company we were with, all the men had to give the bus a little push to get it going hahah. Had some free time after lunch so we got a scooter and went back to the beach for the afternoon. That evening we were taken back to the boat where we were spending our second night. We got to enjoy some springs poking through the sheets and lots of nice bed buds. 10/10 (ummm sarcasm or not sarcasm haha),

Next morning we headed back to mainland. On a different boat to the one we came out on. This one had some interesting features, such as all broke top deck chairs, side banisters which moved with any weight on them and basically the whole thing rotting away. Got to love Asia's health and safely. I must say though, as shocking as all that was, you didn't even care while on it, as you were just mesmerised by the views. Would love to come back in summer and see it at its best.

Getting back on a bus now, back to Hanoi, ready to catch a night bus up to Sapa.

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