Friday 23 March 2012

Halong Bay

Trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Reise von Hanoi nach Halong Bay


Rice, as far as you can see

Reis, so weit das Auge reicht




Limestone caves in north east Vietnam

Kalksteinhoehlen in Nordost Vietnam




A floating village, with a floating shop, school and houses. People live from fishing and tourism.

Ein schwimmendes Dorf mit allem drum und dran, inklusive schwimmende Schule.





Our trip includes one night on the boat - absolute stillness!
Wir verbringen eine Nacht auf dem Boot und geniessen die Stille!





It is "fog-season" in North Vietnam, sunshine is rare. The fog ads mystique to a incredible landscape!
Nord-Vietnam ist meistens in eine Nebeldecke gehuellt und die Sonne zeigt sich kaum. Der Nebel verleiht der Landschaft jedoch einen besonderen Reiz und ich kann kaum von der Kamera lassen!

A pearl-farm

Eine Perlen Farm



A "stroll through the jungle" ends in a three hour climb up and down a mountain, a mud sliding contest and very wet gear!

Ein kleiner Spaziergang wird schlussendlich eine dreistuendige Bergwanderung, Schlammschlacht und sehr nassen Kleidern.....





A hairdresser

Ein Friseur





The easiest way to explore is by motorbike!

Um die Umgebung zu erforschen mieten wir haeufig ein Motorrad.


Market in Catba









A meal on a floating restaurant

Ein Essen auf einem schwimmenden Restaurant
...the menue...

...die Speisekarte...

and the kitchen...

und die Kueche...






For ease we have done a few tours whilst travelling through Vietnam, just to discover that we probably aren't the ideal candidates for it.......

from the toad:

Halong Bay - 
considered to be the eight wonder of the world.
I did wonder why I went!
Tourists - ourselves included were herded around like cattle, pushed and prodded from bus to boat and boat to bus. Himmler would have described it as "the final solution" we however were fortunate enough to escape. Our hotel at least had running water, running down the walls, dripping from the ceiling. Again, we were better off than some, we had duckboards on the bedroom floor. On the day of departure we and 16 other suckers waited in the rain for 5 hours for our boat back to the main land. Once there we were crammed into a bus - a 10 seater crowded with 19 people plus backpacks. We took the death-ride back to Hanoi. Pedal to the metal, pouring rain and mutiny. Cowering from threats and shouted abuse, the tour guide refused to hand anyones receipts, no one was to be compensated. Scuffles broke out between passengers, tour guide and driver. They had won. Not to be outdone, we and one other tracked down the main man and pushed him from $5.-- to $10.-- each as compensation. A jolly good dinner followed. 
natural beauty 5 Stars
everything else 0 Stars
advice  priceless - stay at home!

1 comment:

  1. Stunning scenery and photos. You need the tourist experience so you can compare with your own travels.
    (The old fella's got new glasses)

    ReplyDelete