Everyday on board the Seven Seas Voyager brings a new adventure, however some days the adventures are a bit more substantial. Like today for example, we are in Vietnam, a place that I never thought I would go but I am so glad I got to see. Our first stop in this beautiful country was Halong Bay, an area that is dotted with hundreds of limestone island/mountains that just rise out of the water for no particular scientific reason. Now despite the fact that scientists have not idea how these islands were formed, they are also hollow and are home to some of the most unbelievable caves in the world. These caves are full of textbook examples of stalagmites and stalactites and when you step foot inside you feel as though you have entered another world! But I am getting ahead of myself, let’s go back to the beginning of the day…
The day started with some heavy negotiating as we tried to get the best possible price for a “junk boat” to take us out in the bay. Despite the name of these boats they are actually quite beautiful and reminded me of old fashion ferryboats. (Like the Songo River Queen for all of you who have visited Brandy Pond.) We were able to get one gentleman to agree to the price of $10 per person for the day and with that we set sail. The islands did not look to be that far away but due to maritime law in the area we were only able to “put put” along at a snails pace so it took a good 45 minutes to get to the closest cluster. Once we were amongst these gorgeous emerald colored islands a community of houseboats appeared. Men, women, children even cats and dogs were all going about their daily lives, cleaning, sleeping, playing games, selling fruit and other produce out of their little row boats. It was an actual working town out in the middle of the bay! I was amazed at how a community like this could actually exist out in the middle of such a remote area.
Our first stop was definitely the home of one of our driver’s family members. They were selling lots of different kinds of fruit along with packaged snacks and soft drinks. We all decided that we wanted to explore the area so we piled into the family’s tiny single engine rowboat. Let’s just say that I am very surprised that I am here to tell this tale because we shouldn’t have had seven people in this boat let alone all fifteen of us! Anyways, we all piled in and explored the natural lagoons and smaller caves in the area. The scenery was absolutely stunning and the whole area had a mysterious, mythical quality to it. You really felt as though you had left our world and traveled to another land, a place prior to today you could only have visited in your imagination. I almost expected a fire-breathing dragon to swoop around the top of one of the islands or a giant sea creature to emerge from the blue green water below… It was truly magical.
After our family visit and tiny boat ride we boarded our junk boat and headed to the largest and most famous cave in the area. I had no idea what to expect, but when we arrived and were greeted by about 50 other junk boats I knew this was definitely the major site to see. We got on line and joined all the other tourist as we hiked up the side of the island to the caves entrance. All it took was being inside that cave for two seconds before your jaw dropped and you were thinking wow! First of all, it was extremely grand and I felt as though I was stepping into a European gothic cathedral that Mother Nature had commissioned to be constructed. I have never before in my life seen such a phenomenal example of what I would call “natural architecture”. The whole time I was walking through the cave I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a man made structure but rather was created by dripping water and other natural elements over thousands and thousands of years… Isn’t that crazy to think about?
The day ended with the same 45 minute junk boat ride back to shore. I know that I live on a boat but I still love being out on the water and breathing in the sea air. It was another amazing day and other amazing experience I feel so fortunate to have had.
