Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey introduces me to a new tour group in Hanoi. Following breakfast we head north eastward for a couple of hours to Halong City, from where we catch a junk out into the remote limestone karst islands. We make landfall at Cat Bo Cave, exploring its underground paradise. From there we return to the ship exploring the islands as we gradually head back towards the city to escape a coming typhoon.
Today's Journey
 |
Heading out of the very frenetic Hanoi in a crowded stream of motorbikes and a seeming absence of road rules. |
 |
Following the long highway towards Halong Bay. People carry everything imaginable on their motorbikes, including this one carrying a cow. |
 |
Cruising out onto the misty Halong Bay towards the mysterious monoliths of limestone. |
 |
Heading into the narrow gaps between the towering islands. |
 |
Exploring Sung Sot Cave deep inside one of the monolithic islands. The cave slopes down from its entrance at the far end. |
 |
View from the upper entrance of the cave at all the junks and a small floating village moored in this sheltered cove. |
 |
We start heading back towards Halong, passing close to the spectacular monoliths towering out of the calm water. |
 |
Passing more steep forested islands as evening draws near. |
 |
Passing Kissing Rocks before heading back out into the open water. |
 |
A pink sunset follows us in anticipation of a typhoon soon to hit the area. |
|
