We took a break from the hectic pace of city life for a day trip to Halong Bay. It was an adventure! Did I mention that the infrastructure of roadways in Vietnam was lacking? The distance between Hanoi and Halong Bay is about 100 miles. The driving time on some very bumpy roads was 3 ½ hours!
Our boat was awaiting our arrival and the next challenge was walking down a steep 6” plank to board the vessel. Certainly not for the faint of heart, we accomplished the challenge and set off to explore. The marina was full of beautifully lacquered boats with many colorful flags. There are about 1600 islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin that form a rather spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous stature, few are affected by any human presence; most of the islands are uninhabited.
The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Halong Bay is not only a natural wonder, but also a symbol for Vietnamese. Some of the islands have their own legends. One such legend is how Halong Bay got its name. The name originated after a dragon visited the area to protect Hai Phong from the Chinese invaders. The dragon's mighty tail carved the rocky seabed. Vinh Halong —Halong Bay— means Bay of the Descending Dragon.
As we made our way through the bay each of the karsts, limestone mountains, was more fascinating that the next. We had a very decadent seafood lunch on board. White napkins certainly took it up a notch! It was a leisurely boat ride and the serenity of the bay truly engulfed us. It felt like the other end of the continuum from the hectic pace and noise of Hanoi. It was easy to sit on the deck and totally entertain ourselves naming the limestone formations.
Our destination was one of the grottoes that we would explore. There were stalagmites and stalactites that resemble animals and plants. Yes, we enjoyed the cave as much as the kids who were doing the tourist thing with us. My favorite is the “ET, phone home”! Photo credits go to Jenny who did a fabulous job with this picture.
The locals live mainly from the sea, as the bay is very rich in fish and seafood. Most of the rock islands are too poor to sustain any type of cultivation. The locals, who live in the floating homes, spend their mornings fishing and sell their catch to the larger boats that bring the fish to the continent.
There was so much to see and so many pictures to take. Halong Bay really is a must see – and it gets my vote for one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment