While in Hanoi, we also spent a few days visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay! I know I have said this a few times already, but it might have been the most beautiful place I have been in my life. Ha Long Bay covers an area around 1,553 km2, including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone.
We spent our first night in Halong Bay on a cruise ship floating through the limestone islands and soaking up the sun and the views.
On our first night we took out some kayaks to watch the sun set over the limestone islands. It was breathtakingly beautiful and completely surreal. The water was so calm and easy to glide through.. much easier then kayaking through the rapids in Vang Vieng!
Our kayaks parked outside Hang Đầu Gỗ cave just before sunset*
Staying true to form, we also did some splunking. Hang Đầu Gỗ (Wooden stakes cave) is the largest grotto in the Hạ Long area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. It has three large chambers which have tons of stalactites and stalagmites.
Staying true to form, we also did some splunking. Hang Đầu Gỗ (Wooden stakes cave) is the largest grotto in the Hạ Long area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. It has three large chambers which have tons of stalactites and stalagmites.
There are two bigger islands, Tuần Châu and Cat Ba, that have permanent inhabitants, as well as tourist facilities including hotels and beaches. There are a number of beautiful beaches on the smaller islands. On our second night in Ha Long Bay, we stayed on a much smaller private island. It was just about 30 people sleeping in huts on the beach with a bar, tiny kitchen, and a speed boat for tubing.
The private island we stayed at in Ha Long Bay*
No comments:
Post a Comment