We kicked off the day bright and early and lucked out with the fancy big bus — thank goodness, because it was still pouring rain outside! The ride to Halong Bay took a little over two hours, with the classic “tourist trap” stop along the way for a bathroom break (and, of course, shopping).
I trailed after Kira in the store since she has an eye for good deals and quality finds — basically my personal shopping compass.
Back on the bus, our guide Kay grabbed the microphone and kept everyone entertained with jokes and mini Vietnamese lessons. My favorite moment: when he cheerfully announced, “We got good shits!” — meaning, of course, “good seats.” 😂
The name Hạ Long means “descending dragon”
As we rolled into the Hạ Long Bay (North east Vietnam )boat terminal, my jaw actually dropped. I’d been dreaming of misty islands rising from emerald waters — straight out of a travel magazine. Instead, I was greeted by… Boat Disneyland. Row upon row of wooden vessels decked out with AstroTurf lawns, fake palm trees, and more plastic chairs than an IKEA sale. According to Kay, there are 500 of these beauties — 300 day boats and 200 overnight ones.😱
We eventually found our ship (private, thank you very much) — and I immediately made a grand entrance by performing an Olympic-level wipeout on the slippery floor. The trick, I later learned, is to walk only on the fake grass. I survived — no broken bones, though my thigh may have its own travel story now.
Once we escaped the harbour chaos, the real magic kicked in. Cue 1,000 group photos, 12 identical “candid” shots,. Then came lunch. And oh, what a lunch! We each got to meet our lobsters before eating them ; then came the seafood parade: oysters, crab, prawns, clams, fish, noodles, chicken, spring rolls… Basically, if it once swam, crawled, or clucked, it ended up on our table. I’m convinced we could have fed a small army.
Next stop: Hang Sung Sot Cave. Think giant chambers, sparkly rocks, and a mysterious surprise I’m not allowed to write about (heehee 😏). Roger entertained us with a tale of a pirate who supposedly hid his gold treasure here — so naturally, we left Roger behind still looking for gold.
Then came kayaking — which was less “peaceful commune with nature” and more “traffic jam on water.” Picture bumper cars, but everyone’s holding paddles. My kayak buddy Kira turned out to be a total pro, while I mostly tried not to sideswipe another tourist.
Back on board, we rehydrated (responsibly) and headed to a hike with a killer view. The climb according to Bram felt like the Grouse Grind on a national holiday, but the panorama at the top was totally worth the sweat and gasps.
By 6 p.m., it was time for our two-hour bus ride back to Hanoi. The bus was silent except for gentle snoring — a sure sign of a day well spent. The air was thick with the unmistakable aroma of mosquito repellent — a surprisingly pleasant change from the usual Hanoi “eau de pollution.”
Another aquatic adventure completed — this time with minimal rain, maximum laughs, and just the right hint of citronella! 🌊😂
Late-Night Feasting in Hanoi 🍜
After our monumental seafood lunch earlier, we were convinced we’d never eat again. But apparently, kayaking caving are great ways to reset the appetite. So there we were, bleary-eyed but determined, tucking into a full set menu at Via Hai Noi. Every bite was delicious — though by dessert, we were basically sleep-eating and dreaming of our pillows and a shower. Tomorrow morning: pickleball. Because apparently, rest is for the weak.
This blog is a contribution of Barbara Arnold. Follow her travel adventures on https://www.polarsteps.com/DBarbaraArnold/21929835-philippines-and-vietnam?s=b1a5f906-fcce-4aef-9241-f234d939d981&referral=true