Halong Bay
We took an overnight boat cruise to this World Heritage Site. The topography is limestone karst, similar to the coast we visited in Thailand. I'm sorry the photos don't really do justice to the beauty of the place, but the sky was hazy much of the time.
We took an overnight boat cruise to this World Heritage Site. The topography is limestone karst, similar to the coast we visited in Thailand. I'm sorry the photos don't really do justice to the beauty of the place, but the sky was hazy much of the time.
Halong Bay
The view onto our boat
Halong Bay
Fish market
You can get your choice of live fish, crabs, shrimp and so on
You can get your choice of live fish, crabs, shrimp and so on
Fruit for sale, Halong Bay
Cruising from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island
We then headed to Cat Ba Island for a "trek". We stopped at this little pass for a rest and this gentleman came by. I asked our guide to ask him how things had changed since tourists started coming. He smiled and said that he really like it because he has to make this walk from his village to Cat Ba village two or three times a week for supplies. Before the tourists, the trail was often overgrown, but now with "trekkers" it is much better maintained!
We then headed to Cat Ba Island for a "trek". We stopped at this little pass for a rest and this gentleman came by. I asked our guide to ask him how things had changed since tourists started coming. He smiled and said that he really like it because he has to make this walk from his village to Cat Ba village two or three times a week for supplies. Before the tourists, the trail was often overgrown, but now with "trekkers" it is much better maintained!
Dogs for eatin'
Along the trek we stopped for drinks here. This kind lady lets you into your home and offers you sodas. She had some cute new puppies and wow were they fat. Turns out, this breed is for eating and these youngin's are being raised like any domestic animal for chow.
Along the trek we stopped for drinks here. This kind lady lets you into your home and offers you sodas. She had some cute new puppies and wow were they fat. Turns out, this breed is for eating and these youngin's are being raised like any domestic animal for chow.
She also maintained another kind of shrine, this one to a less intellectual pursuit. Note the photo of Michael Jackson and one of the Backstreet Boys (or is in 'N Sync?)
The Beach on Cat Ba Island
The hanging walkway on Cat Ba
A sign on the beach
I know we shouldn't laugh but some of the translation here is damn funny. Of course, it is much better than any translation I could make of Vietnamese.
I know we shouldn't laugh but some of the translation here is damn funny. Of course, it is much better than any translation I could make of Vietnamese.
Cat Ba Harbor
Many people live in the harbor in boats
Many people live in the harbor in boats
Water Taxi
Accordingly, there are plenty of water taxis to take folks from their boats to town
Accordingly, there are plenty of water taxis to take folks from their boats to town
