So, off we travelled on a bus to Halong Bay... weather was pretty dour, but on arrival the sight of the huge rock islands in the misty dew was something to behold!!!

We boarded the junk boat (there were about 50of us!!) and set sail through the thousands of rocks. Then we anchored and it was time (for those of us man enough!) to jump off the top deck into the bay- pretty bloody cold!! Needless to say, me and Tom were in the water quicker than most! Next we got onto some kayaks and went round a huge rock to a beach that opened into a massive cave! After exploring that in the pitch black (couldn't see your hands in front of your face!) we kayaked over to a floating village before being boated back to our junk boat. The evening was spent eating and drinking in the main restaurant room, as by this point it was absolutely Baltic on deck!!

Next morning we were up bright and early (7.30) for those of us doing an extra day to transfer to the remote island we would be staying the next night... there were about 20 of us by this point. We arrived at Castaway Island, had food, played games and then did some watersports out in the bay... good fun, but bloody bruised the legs!! From there it was dinner and a party in the hut by the beach. Then it was time for bed as they switched the generator off at 3am!!!

Next morning we jumped back on the transfer boat to the harbour, before the 4hour return journey to Hanoi!! Good times were shared by all... Aussie Patrick on the first night, Seamus Wolf over the course of both and tour leader James all deserve a mention!! Oh and me and Tom of course!!!