Detailed Postings for the Day
The noticeable red bus that we would be boarding. I have the custom of taking photographs of the bus for tours as I could never remember their car plate number, or even the color!
Start of the journey and this was the bus travelling along Chuong Duong Bridge which cut across the 1,149 kilometer-long Red River. Bridge was completed in 1985 and spanned 1.23 kilometer.
On the left and parallel to Chuong Duong Bridge would be another bridge, which is of more historical significance to the Vietnamese.
Known as Long Bien Bridge, it was built by the French and opened in 1903. Formerly known as Paul Doumer Bridge, it continued to operate and it was said that "only half the bridge retains its original shape."
Vinhomes Ocean Park - a huge, modern neighborhood developed by "the largest commercial real estate developer in Vietnam". Vinhomes is also the second largest public company in Vietnam and according to Wikipedia, Singapore government has about a 6% stake in it.
Located within Vinhomes Ocean Park is Vin University that appeared so impressive from the highway that our bus was travelling on. Established in 2018, its inaugural class started in year 2020 with 300 students. Full capacity was targeted for 3,500 students.
On the way again.
Bridge that connected the territories separated by what appeared to be the Cam River; although only 7 kilometers long, it's the location of Vietnam's second largest port.
More random photos; I love this kind of coach ride, as the landscape changes can be so beautiful and therapeutic. Problem for me would be I take too many photographs.
Guess we were nearing Halong Bay, with the sights of limestone hills jutting out from the horizons! Pity my dad wasn't with me as he knows more about Halong Bay than I do.
Scene on the other side of the bus.
Rows and rows of excavators! Guess they belong to a company that rents them out. Apparently it can be quite lucrative, especially when construction is booming!
Coming to our first stop - knowing more about pearls at Legend Pearl. As with most day tours, such shopping stops are common. Even though it can be educational for first timers, it's literally a waste of time if you have already gone through it previously.
After about three and a half hours from Hanoi, we finally reached Tuần Châu island. Although known as the gateway to Halong Bay, it only "10% of all boat companies cruising on Halong Bay".
Building housing the jetty named Tuan Chau Port.
But it was emptied in about 15 minutes.
Exploring the marina right outside the building. Given the design, it did give tourists like me the feel that this was the gateway to Halong Bay.
After a wait of more than 30 minutes, we were told to follow the tour guide. p.s. please forgive me for not taking note of the name for the tour guide. He was enthusiastic but I couldn't quite understand his English.
More shops along the way.
Sights of Halong Bay onboard Light Cruise!
The limestone islands gave rise to imagination; what does this remind you of? For me, it's like an large animal with legs, maybe an ox from this angle?
Known as the fighting cocks, I had a different interpretation! Don't they just look like a pair of dogs with the left one being maybe a chow chow whereas the right one was a shihtzu?!
Officially second stop for our day tour, although I would say this would be our first stop at Halong Bay; visiting Titop Island and climbing up to the pavilion on top of the island, to check out the spectacular sight! Click here for more photos!
Lock making use of the strong sea breeze to dry his wet top!
Halong Aquamarine; one of the many stay on board cruise ships at Halong Bay. Do note that this kind of ship would usually be too large for island hopping and it's normal for passengers to take a smaller boat to check out the tons of islands in the bay.
Few photographs for your viewing pleasure.
Let's go boating at Hang Luồn! This segment was quite boring although I guess it would have been more fun if I were to choose the kayaking, instead of the boat since rowing the boat myself would be exciting, especially given how clumsy I usually am.
This boat had three levels, which was one level more than Light Cruise. I should have gone up to take a look and checked out the differences.
Eagle hunting in process! This reminded me of the eagle feeding at Langkawi although more a natural process rather than something that's a result of a man made behavior.
Bien Ngoc 12 - part of a group that had six overnight cruise ships! According to our guide, there were over 500 tourist boats in Halong Bay; so six aren't that many!
Lighthouse - essential at night when there are so many limestone islands dotting the entire bay. Guess you need a ton of experience to navigate these waters.
Anyone can enlighten what this sign was about?
Going to the last leg of our day tour; exploring the Hang Sung Sot (Surprise); the biggest cave in Halong Bay! I initially thought it was the biggest in Vietnam but the winner was Hang Sơn Đoòng, which is also the credit holder for the largest cave in the entire world!
Nevertheless, I was still in awe by its size! Even though it didn't have the multi-color lights shining on the rocks, walls, stalactites and stalagmites, it was still a marvel to behold. Honestly, can't imagine the view at Hang Sơn Đoòng.
More photos but you would have even more here!
Frankly, Hang Sung Sot (Surprise Cave) was no doubt the highlight for the day trip to Halong Bay. There are actually quite a few routes for Halong Bay but this would be the most common one.
Back to Light Cruise and we were given snacks and watermelon! Sadly, I am a fruit lover and such small slices could hardly satisfy me!
Cruising back to Tuần Châu island and relaxing on the top deck of Light Cruise, where we soaked in the beautiful sights surrounding us, with the soothing sea breeze brushing against our face and body.
A box floating in the middle of the bay; the imagination ran wild in a foreign country. Would it hold a dismembered body or maybe wads of US dollars?! Since I am not the captain of the ship (and have no power to haul the box in), the answer would never be known.
Okay, it won the race as it had a lighter load.
Back to the mainland and can't wait to take the coach! I was desperate as I had an appointment for a massage and judging from the timing of 6.04 pm when we boarded the coach; I hoped I can reach our hotel by 9.30pm!
Anyway, here's the video on Halong Bay!
Compared to rest stations in Malaysia, like Yong Peng, the ones in Vietnam (at least the ones I had been to) were spacious and so clean! Strangely, I couldn't remember if I bought anything to eat.
=====
No comments:
Post a Comment