Vietnam (Halong Bay & the train to Hue)

So we have booked a 2 night 3 day trip in junk boat to halong bay. The day started with breakfast and pickup at 8am, out your guide called Hang seems good so far, friendly and very happy. His name means Bear in Vietnamese, he points out that many names are given with meanings like this to have a storng and powerful start in life. On the way to halong bay (about 4hrs with a 30min stop) he talks about Vietnam culture and answers lots of question. We got to Halong bay and boarded a small tender to take us to the boat. Our room was really nice, better than some of the hostels we've stayed at, it had a proper shower and separate toilet, the shower was hot and powerful which was a nice change! The first day consisted of a visit to Ti Top island, kayaking, squid fishing, learning to make spring roles and lots of eating. The food was really good, lots of choice and of a good standard, we all ate together on a long table which was good to speak to others. The second day we visited a cave called 'The Amazing Cave' which was very big, reminded me of an Indian Jones film. Next we went out on a day boat much further out in the bay which meant no other boats and tourists. We did some more kayaking into some caves filled with bats and dropped anker at a small deserted beach, jumping from the boat the swimming to the beach was great fun. On the way back we stopped at a pearl farm which was very average! Breakfast was great, sausage, bacon, egg, pancakes, maple syrup and fruits. The best part about the trip was Halong bay, having a nice ship and good food made it better but the place itself is the best bit. Parts are like scenes from a film and the water is clear, warm and always calm from the shielding nature of the bay. All in all a good trip even if it was expensive compared to just staying somewhere.

The train to Hue

We boarded the train at 7:30pm fully loaded with essential snacks such as orio's, crisps and beer and set of on the 14hr train ride. The cabin was okay, only four not six beds like in China but the beds were not as clean. Aircon was nice as the heat outside was unbearable especially with sun burn like mine. We were joined by a nice woman from Amsterdam who was traveling Vietnam for 3 weeks on holiday we spoke about Vietnam lots and past and future adventures. Again she mentioned about her plan to visit Hoi An, we have heard this from lots of people who all say its really good and one of the best if not the best city in Vietnam so we may change our plans and visit there before moving on further south. We all slept well however from 6am onwards we had hawkers opening our door offering food and drink which wasn't welcome at such an early time! The countryside was quite varied and always very green and lush, lots of rice paddies with workers in surrounded by buffalo wallowing in the morning sun. I'm positive I saw several large fields with large ganja plants in the morning, more so towards the end of the trip. We arrived at about 11am the next day which is unfortunately delayed by an hour. Hope our taxi man waiting to take us to our hostel, hopefully Hue will be as interesting and fun as Hanoi.