Good Morning Vietnam

Halong Bay, Vietnam. Considered to be one of the seven 'natural' wonders of the world, gaining World Heritage Listing in 1994. There is approximately 3000 of these islands scattered throughout this region. Sadly it is being loved to death with no real sign of controlling the polluted water and the floating rubbish. It was incredibly smog-bound the time we spent there with advice that the smog was blowing in from China.  We travelled to Halong Bay from Hanoi by bus - another adventure on its own.

The old timber boat we spent the night on in Halong Bay. We were lucky? enough to be upgraded to the upper deck. As is often the case you meet up with some wonderful people when you travel and this was no exception.

Luxury accommodation on board our boat. The suite had its own bathroom facilities and a mattress that appeared to take on a life of its own.

There is simply a maze of these imposing mountains jutting out of the water. The sheer cliff faces, in some cases, were several hundred foot high.
Massive caves are located within many of these islands and we were lucky enough to get a guided tour through the largest of these.

 At any one time there is possibly a hundred different tourist craft moored in and around the islands. The boat in the picture was the 'party' boat with karoake blasting out all night long.

 These people work so hard for so little. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that bartering is pointless if you are trying to save a few cents.

 Impressive sight as we pass through one of the many sheer cliff faces of Halong Bay. Sadly for us there was a constant bloom of smog or haze that had enveloped the entire area.
However it is truly one of the most amazing places we have visited. There is an eery silence that surrounds the area, disturbed only by the putt putt putt of the tourist boats.

 A floating village. Here we were allowed to kayak for half an hour only and in a strict area. The water is covered in a smeer of oil from the hundreds of boats that move throughout this area. It deserves better management from the government for it to hold the mantle of a famous tourist attraction.

 Just a few of the craft that slowly make their way throughout the rabbit warren of waterways.

 Fishing boats tirelessly working for what appeared to be a small catch.

 The dining area on board our boat

This boat was filling one of the tourist boats with fresh water. The woman is completely covered as she rocks her little baby in the hammock behind her.