A little while ago Faith and I wanted a short vacation for a recharge and to re-energise; After some deliberation we decided Vietnam would be a good place to do that. We had not been before and had been told everyone speaks English there, which we found later to be completely false, and that it was a good-value destination.
After a little more research we decided that as part of that trip we would like to go on a cruise on Ha Long Bay in a new, but traditionally-styled Chine Junk.
Cua Van floating village
We landed in Hanoi, realised no bugger spoke English very well, and spent some time there but it's Ha long Bay that this post is about. After making the long and bumpy journey from Hanoi to where we were boarding the boat our adventure began, and what a gteat adventure it was!
The crew were amazingly friendly, as was everyone in Vietnam, and made us feel very welcome. On the tender from the wharf to the Junk we met a Cornish couple, older than us, but quite friendly and had a chat; More about them later.
Once aboard we were shown where the dining room was and were invited to pre-cruise drinks after settling into our room which we were ushered to by a very friendly young lady.
A word on our room...When booking we noticed they had two Royal Suites and that they were only $200AUD more over the entire cruise than the standard room so that's what we booked. It was large, had a full-sized bathroom and its own front deck right at the bow, private to us. It also came with a dedicated person to look after us. Nice one, and $200 of value for sure.
We settled in then went up for pre-cruise drinks and a mingle with whomever was there.
There was only 20 passengers on the cruise which was great! As it turned out we ended up clicking with that Cornish couple I mentioned and spent pretty-much the whole cruise with them including shore-visits for bike riding and a cool cave visit to Thien Cung cave, a huge natural grotto that has intricate stalactite & stalagmite formations which they light up in different colours. It's pretty cool. They were a pretty fun couple and as it turns out we stayed friends with them and visited in Cornwall for a week some time later.
We also went kayaking through caves and grottos including one which we had to duck down to get through; It lead into a completely enclosed bay with the only way in or out via the cave. It was cool!
Of course, Ha Long Bay is famous for its floating villages which we also visited. We were able to wander about Cua Van Floating Village, taxied by our own personal boatie, saw the small school and interacted with the kids and learned a little more about their lives.
Relaxing on board was pretty easy but they never had a shortage of things to do if one wanted to be entertained.
We sat around and read a lot though, chatted over drinks with our new Cornish friends, Tom and Gill, and we ate a lot too. The food was amazing, all prepared on the day by the chefs and of an incredibly high standard. Tom and I even got involved one night when we had a Cornwall versus Australia spring roll making contest. I lost that one, but won the eating contest!
We went swimming off the boat, fishing at night for squid and Faith had the best relaxing-massage ever! I snuck in and have a photo of it but I can't show it here as it's a little revealing and she'd bloody kill me!
We always have books with us when we travel so each afternoon we'd head back to our room and relax with a book and some cool drinks for an hour, have a little snooze and then emerge for pre-dinner drinks and some mingling.
It was all quite civilised... Until faith volunteered us for Tai Chi in the morning at 6am...It went something like this...
The Tai Chi deck, otherwise known as the top deck. They cleared away the lounges and we Tai Chi'd up here from 6am and then had breakfast. I was the worse Tai Chi'er of the bunch - Naturally Faith was good at it...She yoga's.
Ha Long Bay, is in northeast Vietnam and is well known for emerald waters and its towering limestone islands which are covered by rain forest. Junk boat tours ply its waters and kayak expeditions are also very popular. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most beautiful places one could visit.
We found it to be serene and calming although I have heard that it is becoming somewhat more busy and that some of the floating villages have been removed to make way for big commercial operations; I think that's a little sad.
As those huge limestone pillars and islands floated by we were treated to amazing views and great sunsets. The cruise was both relaxing and fun-filled, a nice balance of both.
The view from the private deck at the front of our suite...We sat out here a bit and read our books, sipped cool drinks and relaxed when we weren't doing activities or hanging out with Tom and Gill.
Overall our experience was a good one. The cruise staff were really friendly and professional, the junk itself was in good condition, clean and well-appointed and one certainly couldn't complain about the view or activities. We would definitely do this again and I'd recommend it to anyone visiting the area. It was pretty affordable and an experience one should not miss!
At some stage I'll write a post about Hanoi and some of the other things we did in Vietnam but for now...G-dog to the tai chi deck...Nah, just kidding, my tai chi days are over.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209
So how did you get on with the crew of that boat if none of the buggers could speak English???
And I bet that the Tai Chi trainers thanked their gods, when you slunk away from that deck, giving all Aussies a bad name hahahah.
No, seriously, this is a great post at a great location and you guys enjoyed it and that's all that counts in life mate!
Blessings!
All Australian's are Tai Chi masters actually, all except me, I must have been sick that day at school when they taught it; Yes, it's only a one day class, Tai Chi isn't that hard after all. I was at school the day they taught Vietnamese though which is how I communicated with the crew on the boat...I'm fluent in Vietnamese. All worked out well, except the Tai Chi.
Oh man, I can only laugh at this and glad that your humor has still not left to go and do a Tai Chi class.
I was really moved by the swansong description of your fluid actions at that class, but the ending didn't surprise me, so it seems that I am getting used to the Aussie way lol.
If I didn't have my humour right now I'd be a pretty miserable sort, and so I hold onto it as best I can.
That's the best thing that you can do during this emotional storm in your life my friend!
The sun will shine again.
Yeah, we'll be ok. People go through worse things I guess. Time will work it all out.
I like your outlook on this and it's half the battle won!
This looks amazing. Do you guys go on many cruises? It's something I have always wanted to do but haven't yet really been in the position to. I lived with my aunt and uncle by the ocean for a bit as a teenager and used to pick up random work in the marina's there and even got the opportunity to work on one of those giant private yacht's with it's own crew at one point briefly(very briefly- like a week or two. Too long ago to remember).
Despite my fear of the water, it is something I dearly miss. Thailand looks amazing. I hope someday to end up there for a bit(and AUS too of course)
Hey mate, nah we hate cruises too many people; We fly. This was a short one though, three days, and with only 20 people on the boat so less of a cruise and more of a chug around Ha Long Bay on a boat with 18 other people who we rarely saw.
We really liked Vietnam, and as you say Thailand is nice too, we've been a few times. I hope you make it there.
Jesus christ my brain is shot. I meant to say Vietnam. But I just woke up and have been over-worked at a Thai restaurant and had just gotten done tearing the fridge apart looking for cream and found it behind the leftover Thai food I brought home last night for my room mate. So I guess I know where my brain is at
Lol, it's all good, I figured that. Thai food on the brain...No worries. :)
What a great adventure. I really like the idea of cruising with no more than 20 people. That has just got to be really nice.
And a gloriously beautiful setting for said adventure. Looks like nothing but big fun.
You are a good sport, Mr. Tai Chi. I strongly suspect that they'd have had to chase the Tiger without me unless that is where the coffee mess was located. Then I'd have chi'd some tai with the best of them...
Any more that 20 is too many people. We're not cruise people Tom, something about it doesn't appeal; Maybe all those people crammed onto a boat gambling, drinking , spewing everywhere...Not my thing. This was pretty cultured though and were rarely saw anyone, except at dinner. It was pretty nice.
They had complimentary tea and coffee at the Tai Chi deck, of which I partook of course. Then we headed down for showers and off to the most sumptuous of breakfasts each day. It really was a great little trip and taught me that I am the suckiest tai chi'er on the planet.
I agree with your passenger limit assessment. I have no reason I can think of to jam on one of those floating hi rise boats. NO REASON.
I'm guessing I could give you a pretty good run for your title 'Suckiest Tai Chi'er on the Planet'.
Maybe we could sit on the tai chi deck together sipping coffee and enjoying the view while the tai chi'ers tai chi! All those yoga pants and tight tops...
I'm really good with that plan. In fact, I suddenly like the idea of the tai chi deck.
Who knew tai chi could be a spectator sport? How was the coffee? :)
Lol...It can be a great spectator sport, depending on who's doing the tai chi.
Awesome!
Stunning views, and attractive vessel.
Cam and I would love to do a trip there one day.
I'd have loved that tai chi lesson. Shame you didn't have a video of it😆
It was a decent cruise, and we're not cruise people. I think the location helped, as and the small number of people on the boat. I'd recommend it for sure.
Yes, my tai chi would have made a lovely video...I was truly challenged and to be honest if it was me watching someone else going as badly as I did I'd be rolling on the floor laughing at them. It was all part of the fun though, and it made for a good memory.
It looks awesome. I'm glad you mentioned about the absence of English speakers. That's one thing travellers within Asia are always thankful for when they arrive Philippines. Vietnam is one country that leaves a great impression on even well-seasoned travellers.
I'm sure your article has given Cam some ideas. Vietnam has always been on his "to go" list.
We will go back for sure, and these days I think the language barrier would be less, certainly further down south from Hanoi for sure. It didn't really hold us back too much, their English was just not quite as good as people had made out. (This is why I rarely listen to people as they talk without much substance.)
I remember watching a show with different hidden gems of Vietnam and its culture, as well as the normal lives of people who live there and I was so impressed! Everybody looks so humble and knows how to enjoy little things while some of us always tend to forget about the times when they wished to have what they have now.
I think in the rural areas this would certainly be the case. Hanoi is a massive city of 8 million people and whilst there's probably plenty of humble types, there's plenty of the opposite also. It was a good experience though, and everyone we dealt with couldn't do enough for us, they were so accommodating, friendly and helpful. It was a great experience and we will be going back for certain.
!ENGAGE 25
Oh yeah, I know that. It was actually a show from Romania where different teams had to survive with just 1 euro per day in there doing different tasks and had to find people to transport them with the car from a spot to another and at night to find someone to help them with food and a place to sleep. Everybody seemed so friendly and willing to share all they had with everybody even if they had so little!
So many don't have much, that's true, and yet they're willing to share. It's funny that it's quite often those with little, that give a lot.
ENGAGEtokens.this was on our 2020 list as its close to the PH but alas. Nice post bro. I think I'd do it like this also. The extra makes the difference. Room looked boss and having a private deck appeals to me . Vietnam calls to me it looks pretty awesome in just about avery post I see on it
It's a good place for sure. We were not certain how we'd go there to be honest but the people were friendly and we made do with the language as best we could. We didn't see a lot of westerners in Hanoi, some, but not as many as in Thailand although this was a few years ago so I would imaging it's become mote touristy there. It's definitely one to have on the list of places to go, I don't think you'll go wrong.
!ENGAGE 25
We were going to do the F1 in April there and then take a trip somewhere else after. That was the plan. Maybe next year
Yeah, that would have been cool!
yup was looking forward to race in Hanoi and then venture out to maybe Hoi an. Well it's one to plan for the future :)
It'll happen.
it better
ENGAGEtokens.I bet it was a good vacation. The pictures shows Ha long bay would be a beautiful place.
In the future, I hope to travel places more and explore the world.
It was a really good trip all around to be honest. We enjoyed Vietnam and whilst we only got to see one small part of it around Hanoi it was enough to make us want to go back. I hope you get to travel at some stage as it helps a person see things differently through new experiences.
!ENGAGE 20
Thanks I hope so too. It's those experience that makes some see life differently and understand other people's view in life. 😊
Yes, that for sure, and also oneself, seeing oneself differently, I mean.
Yeah, I totally understand that! 😊
ENGAGEtokens.Wow what a great place to cruise in, did they call G-dog for Tai Chi the next morning or selectively forgot to call you🤣
They didn't want to subject themselves to two days running of my Tai Chi retardiness so they let me sleep in. Lol.
Lol 🤣
They probably do speak English well in the well worn tourist areas, but you're obviously a true traveller and went for the genuine cultural experience; which is, of course, the only way to go. ;)
Quite possibly. Hanoi is not westernised at all, right on the border of communist China too so...Not so on the tourist trail which is why we went there although I guess it will improve. Some spoke English but it was so bad they may as well have been speaking Martian. We loved it though, the culture, sights and sounds but...Hanoi...The honking horns start at 5:30 and go until around 8pm...It's insane and almost drove me that way.
Oh wow! That would certainly make sure your sleeping pattern was in sync! No sleeping until the horns stop and up with the morning horns. 😆
Haha, yeah it was mad. Inside our hotel it wasn't too bad, but on the street...Madness. drove me bonkers. Out of the city though, serene. It's worth a visit and not too cosy either.
Ha Long Bay is beautiful and your captures all wonderful. I'm sure you had a great holiday there, and hope you will visit other parts of Viet Nam soon in the future😊 I'm happy to see a post about Viet Nam 😍 Thanks for sharing
We'll be visiting again for sure as we had a really good time. We'd like to do Ha Long Bay again but it will all depend on time and money. It's certainly on our radar.
Hello dear friend @galenkp good day
Ha Long Bay is on my wish list, I have seen hundreds of photographs and very interesting stories about the kindness and service they provide.
The photographs that you share with us are really very beautiful, it was good to have made friends with us without a doubt.
I really appreciate that you taught us all about this wonderful visit.
have a great day
Hi mate, yeah you should go, it's a very nice spot.
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That boat looks like a mighty fun time to spend time holiday-ing across those islands. I've never been to a cruise like that before, so maybe I should give it a go whenever the opportunity presents itself. I'm not sure how many other people share a similar predicament, but every time I hear Vietnamese-sounding place, the first thing that came to mind, is Apocalypse Now. That's normal... Right?
Well, in Vietnam, Hanoi in particular, they call it the American War and their war museum, which we visited in Hanoi, is full of the glory and success the Vietnamese had on their journey towards winning it. It's all a matter of perspective.
Indeed it is, and as they say, history is written by the victor. I bet the stories there are certainly quite different than the ones Hollywood tends to tell us.
It was interesting to see the war museum there. I'm used to seeing the other side of it, Australia fought against North Vietnam as you would know. I've been to war museums around the world but this one on Hanoi was unique, almost laughable in what they displayed and the text descriptions. I don't mean that disrespectfully of course, just...Well, I guess you'd have to see it for yourself to understand.
Here's an example.
This refers to the First Indochina War 1946-1954. Evidence of the failure of the French...A helmet with some bullet holes. In one corner they had an AK-47 with a big text plaque saying how it was responsible for the killing of seven US airmen. The museum is full of stuff like that. I liked it though, as it was a nice counter-perspective to what I've seen around the world before.
Indeed, though I only learned of it from watching The Battle of Long Tan, seeing ANZACs fighting alongside the GIs. It's interesting to see how they're glorifying their victory, even if it means disgracing their former rivals. To be realistic though, a lot of the history that I've read so far did seem to show how poorly the French fought in the Indochina War.
The Brits, including the now disarmed Japanese were there fighting against the Viet Minh since just after WW2, and they had far better success then, just before the French came back. To think that the entire Vietnam War could've scarcely been avoided, if the French generals had stopped munching on onions, and had directed the war properly.
Source: War in Vietnam (1945–1946)
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Can't wait to go back to Vietnam.
It's a great spot for sure. We'll go back too!
Nice. I was there back in 1998 which was just 6 months after the communist North of Vietnam opened up to western (non communist) tourists. I imagine it has changed quite a bit since then. At the time most of the tourists were Chinese business men who would cross the boarder for 'pleasure' trips.
We didn't see loads of westerners but there were enough I guess, certainly Ha Long bay had a lot but Hanoi not so many. We enjoyed it though, and will definitely go back.
Looks like an absolutely gorgeous place and an amazing adventure!
It's a good spot and a great place to relax and take in some unique scenery and culture.
Wonderfull!!! Thanks for Support ;)
Man this is like la paradou!! So beautiful, heaven on earth perhaps!!
Laughed for a solid ten seconds:vvv with such tai chi mastery, you are now a proper john wick:pp
John Wick of tai chi is how I'm known in the fast-paced action-packed tai chi world.
Sounds, and looks, like a fun trip.
We had a good time, saw some cool stuff. Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum back in Hanoi was interesting for sure, among other places. The food was good, the coffee was also, believe it or not. Great trip all round really.
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I must tell you that I was mesmerised by the views! I can imagine sitting with a good book and smelling the nice air! Maybe I will skip tai chi too lol but nevertheless this looks like an amazing place to visit!
It's totally amazing and we had a great time. We have been fortunate enough to have really good experiences no matter where we have travelled around the world with very little problems and certainly no major hiccups. Vietnam was the same and is somewhere I'd suggest everyone visit.
Thanks so much for sharing, I love to read travelling posts!