Arriving in Hanoi at stupid o'clock in the morning, we boarded our coach for yet another 3 hours to take us to Halong Bay. Arriving at about 8:30am, we wolfed down breakfast & went to bed for a couple more hours before out boat trip around the bay. We boarded our private junk boat & had lunch, which was very tasty & seeing as not many people on my table liked seafood, meant I was fully satisfied with my portions! We had our own guide (Mr Hop) to take us around the Halong Caves, but unfortunately his english wasn't the best, so all the time he was explaining what various rock formations were supposed to resemble, we stood there smiling & nodding, blissfully unaware of what we were supposed to be looking at. Something about mystical dragons & Icelands (which turned out to be Islands) There wasn't much to do that evening, as other than the harbour, there isn't much else in Halong Bay! Never ones to be defeated, we managed to find the only place that served food & beer!! Winners!