Nice early 5.45am start to get the bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Didn't get to sleep till gone 2 so we were all chuffed to hear our alarms going off. Went to see our mate Sidney at the travel agency bit of a legend to be fair making sure we all had everything etc. Had one of them moments where you recognise someone on your travels and it was a guy from Oz called John I was at Koh Phangan with last month over the full moon party week which was cool! So many times have seen people I have been with over the last nearly 2 months. Switched buses 3 times on the way to Halong Bay which was a bit confusing but there we go we all got to the boat taking us to the bay. Lush day so after lunch we all were on top of the boat. Done some kayaking I was with Willem who does rowing 6 times a week so happy days it was decent going around and seeing the mountains they are huge it is amazing how they get made the way they are. Had a few water fights with Bas, Guus and Laura one of the English lads with us Ian him and his brother Lewis capsized their kayak and trying to use rocks to get back on track Ian ripped his finger to pieces, blood everywhere much to his annoyance our tour guide Diep didn't help at all more interested in the kayaking then him which to be fair was wrong Bas helped him with his medical kit he's got. After kayaking back on the boat and about an hour later we all could swim in a amazing location so soon as we got told we could swim we all just jumped straight in off the top the sea was amazing to be in. A party booze cruise was next to us as well looked like the Castaway tour Conor was on about they were getting proper on it. After that we got to our beach where we were staying just next to Cat Ba Islands it was lush little beach houses we were staying in with a main bar and restaurant area basically had a private beach was awesome! Sorted ourselves out and then had some dinner food was really good and had few drinks to get to know our group better there was 23 altogether not everyone was doing the whole 3 days though some people were leaving tomorrow. Was with Lewis a lot he is a City fan so of course banter was flowing he showed great joy in showing me pictures of him at the Etihad on that awful day in 2013 with Aguero's last minute goal. Joined the German girls later on for a few drinking games then all settled down for about 1ish. Me Laura and Willem went skinny dipping and the girls did too so much plankton in the sea was quality to see every movement in the sea. Us 4 lads just chilled on the front of our beach house till around half 2 was so quiet and seeing Halong Bay in the distance with all the lights was peaceful as heck