13 DEC 2015
Halong Bay is 160 kms from Hanoi city, our Tour Agents picked up us from Hotel and transferred to Tuan Chau Marine Port. We booked 2 days cruise in the Halong Bay and we boarded Pelican Halong Cruise Boat. We were taken to an upper deck cabin room with a balcony and full view of the Bay. Welcome drinks and Buffet lunch served while cruising through Halong Bay passing by Dinh Huong (Perfume Rock), Ga Choi (Flighting Cock), Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock etc. Then we were taken into a rowing boat to visit Vung Vieng Village, enjoyable cruise through quite and fresh air of the Bay. There are over 1600 islands and islets – mostly inhabited – it’s most popular travel hotspots in Asia. In ancient Vietnamese, it means “descending dragon” according to the legend, when Vietnam was being attacked by northern invaders, the Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children to descend to earth and help defend the country. The Vietnamese gave the name “Halong” to the place where it first appeared as a sign of gratitude. Millions of years ago, Halong Bay was subject to intense tectonic plate movements, along with severe rainfall and flooding which caused the formation of underwater mountains. Millions of years on, the Halong Bay area began to experience a period of extreme heat and drought.The change in weather patterns is what eventually contributed to the emergence of the thick limestone formations that we can still see today. The steady erosion of these sea mountains eventually delivered to us the much-coveted caves of Halong Bay. The advancement of the sea and its effects on the formation of the caves can be seen on the ceilings, where a ripple-like pattern is often visible.
Out of the four fishing villages in Ha Long Bay Vung Vieng is the a perfect fit for travelers seeking to experience local life. After disembarking the mother boat, we were transferred by rowing boats to enter Vung Vieng. The village offers a chance for travelers to experience the villager’s daily life as well as observe the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen.
These families have lived in this village for generations. They go about their daily lives, oblivious to the buzz surrounding the Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. Living far away from the bustling tourist attractions, the people at Vung Vieng are friendly and all smiley to curious visitors. It is interesting to take part in the making of fishing nets and processing fishes. The rambunctious children make up one third of the local population and their presence livens up the quite fishing life.
Day 2 we woke up in the morning to see Tai Chi (a gentle form of exercise which can help maintain stgrength, flexibility and balance) on the Sundeck before sitting down to breakfast. Then we visited the Surprise Caves, followed by lunch onboard while cruising back to Tuan Chau pier.
