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Other entries in Cát Bà

Cat Ba

Due to change of plans, we decided to go to Halong Bay for a few days. We boarded the boat and headed off into the bay. Halong bay is full of limestone cliffs protruding from the water everywhere, apparently legend has it that they are the tails dragons from nay years ago. That afternoon we stopped at one of these cliffs, to visit a massive cave within it. This was quite amazing, the cave was never enormous with some very interesting rock features. That night we slept up on deck under the stars, which seemed to go all the way to the horizon, it was quite surreal.

For the second day we went to the island of Cat Ba, and dumped off some kit before heading to the National Park for another trek throught the jungle. The plan was to climb over the 6 hills and end up at the other side of the park where we would be picked up. we had lunch in a fishing village, then walked the last 3km to where the boat was picking us up from. On the way back we stopped off at a beach for a little swim and re-enactments of Baywatch courtesy of Chris.

The next day we headed off to Monkey Island, though we didn't see a single monkey. It was a nice relaxing afternoon on the beach before swimming back to the boat. That evening Hurricane USAGI brushed past causing an almighty storm and torrential rain. We lost power on the island, so warm drinks for dinner! Myself and Chris stood on the balcony watching the mad locals in their basket boats waiting for taxi customers - slightly optimistic to say the least!

It was a shame to be leaving the beautiful island as we motored back through the 10ft swell. We had a quick stop for some diving off the side of the boat in a sheltered bay, and then carried on back to the mainland listening to tan's vietnamese pop music. Upon arrival in Halong City, it seems we had timed the return perfectly as we were the last boat allowed back due to the rough weather. We got back to the hotel, to do some much needed washing, and pack up. 

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