Hello Halong Bay

There are few places in the world as magical and majestic as Halong Bay, Vietnam. Over the eons, as the sandstone eroded away, the harder limestone remained.  Eventually, the erosion met water and as the earth warmed, the eroded land was filled in with the sea.  An entire network of villages rests on the sleepy waters of the bay, surrounded by tall limestone monoliths, called karst. 

We took a boat trip through the bay, exploring a few of its many caves, swimming in its surprisingly warm waters, and seeing the daily routine of villagers who live on the water in small floating villages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The largest island in the bay is called Cat Ba, and we spent a number of days there. We relaxed on the beaches, ate delicious sea food that we picked right out of the tanks at the restaurant, went through an old, underground Viet Cong cave hospital, and spent a day climbing the tallest peak in Cat Ba National Park.

At the top of the slippery, muddy trail was an old lookout tower, affording us beautiful views of the national park and the island.  Cat Ba Island is home to the rarest primate in the world: the Cat Ba Langur.  There are only about 70 of them left.  We saw four of them, one of which was a baby. 

 

 

 

 

 

A highlight of our stay there was discovering how sticky the karsts are – limestone makes for a great grip when rock climbing. We kayaked to an abandoned beach where we climbed in a setting out of a fairy tale. Unfortunately, with only two people, one climbing and belaying, there aren’t enough hands to man a camera!

Brian impressed both of us when he tried “deep water solo climbing,” which is climbing without ropes on a rock that comes directly out of the sea. Getting out of the kayak onto the rock was definitely the hardest part.  When his muscles couldn’t hold him in the rock any longer, he just let go and enjoyed a watery landing.

Halong Bay really is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen.  The rocks, the light, and the water all come together to create an otherworldly beauty.  We were sad to leave.