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Vietnam & Cambodia

Day 6 - Hanoi to Halong Bay

27th November 2019

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Kayaking Amongst the Karst

 
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After a few days in Hanoi it was time to hit the road and head to the coast and in particular Halong Bay.

I'd love to say that this was from a very traditional Vietnamese establishment, but it was on the wall in the Starbucks next to the hotel...
 
Coffee



 
On the way we stopped at a trading centre for disabled artisans, it seems that each couple had a very attentive assistant assigned, the products were beautiful and the tactic worked as we left with a tapestry which was priced at a number with a frightening number of zeros after it - thankfully it was in Vietnamese Dong and we weren't attempting to pay Van Gogh sums of money...

Artisan shop



They do have a penchant for fancy bridges in Vietnam...

Bridge


 
No idea what it's saying, but I'd be a sucker for a good propaganda poster; I can see how people can be easily led...

Poster



All aboard our vessel as we head out to Halong Bay...

Halong Bay 1



Iconic shapes in the early afternoon haze...

Halong Bay 2



In typical limestone fashion, it's not averse to a bit of arch formation...

Halong Bay 3



Halong Bay 5




More singular islands...

Halong Bay 4






Halong Bay 5



Time to explore the bay by kayak with Miche 'The Engine' Taylor...

Kayak 1



Leo and Brigita...

Kayak 2




Anna & Phil...

Kayak 3

Alex & Alisdair...

Kayak 4

Miche checking that the crew were also putting in an effort...

Kayak 6
Circling an island...

Kayak 7

Some passenger in the back...

Kayak 9

Back on board and in our cabin...

Cabin



 
Fancy prawns...

Prawns
 
We stayed overnight and were far from alone; we attempted a little squid fishing, but they weren't tempted...
 
Halong Bay by night


Next - Day 7 - Halong Bay - Caves & Cruising

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Days 1 & 2 - London to Saigon Day 3 - Arrival Hanoi - Explore - Hoan Kiem Day 4 - Hanoi - Explore - Long Walk
Day 5 - Hanoi - T. of Literature, H. Hilton, etc. Day 6 - to Halong Bay Day 7 - Halong Bay to Hanoi
Day 8 - to Hoi An Day 9 - Hoi An - Cycle Day 10 - Hoi An - Cookery Class
Day 11 - to Saigon Day 12 - Cu Chi Tunnels Day 13 - to Mekong
Day 14 - Mekong to Saigon Day 15 - to Siem Reap - Temples 1 - Ta Prohm Day 16 - Temples 2 - Angkor Wat
Day 17 - Tonle Sap Day 18 - Temples 3 - Angkor Wat - Preah Kahn Day 19 - Siem Reap Town
Day 20 - to Home