Got a call at 07:05 from the hotel reception to say the bus will be here at 07:15. I told him we were informed it was due at 08:00 to 08:30. Penny jumped out of bed and I finished off the packing we just taking one bag with us leaving one behind at the hotel. Got down to reception at 07:20 and waited and the bus arrived 08:15, what a shambles. The luxury coach was a 14 seater mini bus, they had to put 3 of the large bags next to the seats. Off we went through the narrow streets of Hanoi and then we had a cluster fuck 2 big buses coming down the tight street and we could not move. The driver of the first bus got out and started yelling talking to an elderly lady, he was acting like a really dick head then he started off again with another lady. Our driver had to reverse for a 100m to let arse hole and the bus behind him through. Eventually we got clear of there and made our way out of the city. The tour guide mentioned that driving in Hanoi there are no rules but everyone has a drivers license. The roads and driving is really cowboy stuff.
We got down to Ha Long Bay and waited for the ferry to take us over to Cat Ba island. We all got off the so called luxury mini bus and got on to a big red bus much more comfortable. Went on top of the ferry as we commenced our 20 minute ride to the island. There was quite a bit of activity on the water with boats coming and going. As we departed they lifted the drive on ramp, I was looking down on the winches and the wires have never been inspected there were strands broken and very visible.Reached the island and we got back on the big bus and 20 minutes later we were at out hotel. We checked in and we had a guide meeting us at 14:30. Lunch was provided pumpkin soup, salad, chips and a chicken dish, was not the best. Our room is on the 7th floor and looking down over the harbour unfortunately it was cloudy all day.
We met up with our guide and we did not know what was happening, it was a walking tour up to the fort. It was all up hill and luckily I had a sweat band to put on my head. The guide was good gave us alot of history with the French US and the Chinese. The was a few bunkers with gun placements, under ground tunnels and shelters. There were alot of goats walking around did not seem to be bothered with our presence. Then we spotted a couple of friendly pigs a cockerel and pigeons. We reached the top and there was a make shift bar Penny appreciated the cold beer. Later we moved on and came across another bar over looking all these islands. We made our way down back to the town and the walk took just over 2 hours. We come across a school and there were hundreds of parents with their scooters waiting to take their kids home on the back of the scooter. Got back to our room and showered and chilled for an hour and then we went and had a full body massage which was okay have had better, had the stones placed on the back which felt good. We then went to find a restaurant, found one really busy one with good music but there were no spare tables so we looked at a clothing shop next door and I bought a North Face light weight water proof jacket. Back to the restaurant and we had a great dinner with good local dishes and Penny washed it down with a couple of Mojitos. We sat next to a young English couple and they are on a gap year and the guy was originally from a village next to where Penny lives, small world. Back to the hotel internet not working the hotel eventually sorted it out, blog time.
Maurice's Travel 