Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island

Today was billed to be one of the highlights of our time here in Vietnam...and it certainly didn't disappoint. An early start and a taxi journey to Hanoi's typically confusing and slightly chaotic bus station started what was a slightly random 4 part journey involving bus, bus, catamaran and another bus to arrive in the sublime island seaside town of Cat Ba. Met a few fellow travellers en route who we hope to meet tomorrow for NYE and another unfortunate South African guy who seemed to not have any idea where he was going but was clutching at a leaflet saying 'castaway island' with pictures of lots of girls in bikinis - we wished him luck on his quest finding that place?!?

A fortuitous food stop in a place ran by a friendly French hippy ('Jeff') and his Vietnamese businessman friend ('Tony') we had quite a journey ahead to reach our 'Whisper of Nature' bungalows. He kindly arranged for us to get a local fisherman to give us a ride to the other end of the bay and also give us a bit of a tour of Lan Ha Bay (the quieter but no less fabulous cousin of the uber-famous, and touristy, Halong Bay). There began one of the most brilliant few hours...

Our friendly French friend and his buddy rocked up with their motorbikes and gave us a lift across town and along the bay towards the fishermans wharf. I do not recall ever being on a motorbike before and never as a passenger, it was certainly hair raising as we took some tight corners on some sketchy roads but it was great fun! We boarded our fishing boat and the tour began...

There are few words that can describe the beauty of the Lan Ha bay with its numerous limestone outcrops, sandy beaches, floating houses, fishing boats and turquoise sea. I hope the photos give you a sense of the place. It is clear why the area is a world heritage site.

Arriving at the little tiny dock near the hamlet if Viet Hai, we were given cycles and cycled the last 5km to our destination. A stunning little spot in the middle of absolutely nowhere surrounded by limestone crags and jungle. Looks like JB might need to get used to some of our smaller reptilian gecko friends who share the bungalow with us, but I for one am happy as a bean!

Tomorrow kayaking and NYE in Cat Ba Town...happy new year to you all!