Vietnam Trip Day 5: Cat Ba Island - Halong

0545 Hrs:

Woke up. Wanted to go around to take some pictures of Cat Ba Island. Yet, I did not have much time on my hands.

Morning view.

The only angle from the corridor balcony that was not blocked by buildings.

Ate the two pieces of bread that I bought last night. I had also bought a bottle of water as I know that my mouth would be very dry to eat bread first thing in the morning. The water was meant to make it easier to eat the food.

After my quick breakfast, quickly grabbed my camera and went downstairs to run around.

Time is running out.

0800 Hrs:

360 degree view of Cat Ba town and the jetty from the shore side.

Boarded the small boat. A while later it set off for Halong. It would take around 2.5 hours to reach.

The Hoi told me this boat would not stop at Bai Chay but at Hon Gai, the other side of Halong City. This would be nice as I had planned to pay Hon Gai a visit today. The Hoi said he would show me around too.







Not a very big boat. There were more seats in the area behind the wheelhouse but not as spacious as what I had here. Ok, I am sitting on the deck itself but I did have more space compared to those behind me.

Ha ..... so nice the boy was looking in this direction.

For such a long journey, you just have to make yourself at home.

Not sure what is the man doing up there. Searching for land?

After a while, people started to find places to lie down and just sleep the time away.

The Hoi also fell asleep.

The boy's father went to join him. A while later a 3rd guy joined in.



Boat ride was very smooth. Very windy. The view was very nice too. The best way to spend the time on board would be to sleep. However, I choose to stay awake and enjoy the scenery.

Had a chat with The Hoi along the way. We were discussing about the education system in Vietnam. Children started to study at the age of six. After their educational reform in 2004, children could choose to learn either English or French. Most would choose English. Before that, they could only start to learn either English or French at the age of sixteen and it would only last for around 2 - 3 years.

0920 Hrs:

Approaching Hon Gai.





0930 Hrs:

Got off the boat.

Our boat.

Walking up the gangway.

Street in Hon Gai.

A temple under renovation.

Halong Market.


We passed by this Halong Market which The Hoi said he would bring me to walk around after our breakfast.

Our aim now is to get breakfast. We are hungry.

0940 Hrs:

******Situation*****

We went to this roadside stall selling noodles.

Just as I was about to sit down and as The Hoi was ordering, a vehicle suddenly stopped at the side and the lady owner shouted something out loud in Vietnamese. The next moment all the peddlers around there started quickly packing their stuff as fast as they could and fled the place. The vehicle was actually a police van and the police officers got down from it and went about confiscating the peddler's stuff. They took away the small tables, stools, beach umbrellas etc. One of the peddlers was trying to snatch back her stuff from the police while the rest quickly fled the place, dropping bowls, chopsticks along the way.

Apparently, the peddlers were selling there without a license and the police had came to raid them.

The police van.

The whole saga lasted about 5 - 10 minutes. The rest of us were standing at the side watching the whole thing. In my heart, I was like "wah lau eh, eat breakfast also so spectacular wan" .....

As fast as they arrived, the police officers made off in the van with whatever things they had confiscated.

**********

The two of us walked further along the street and we found this small stall still intact after the raid. We ordered bun ngan. In it is something like beehoon and I chose the chicken bun ngan while The Hoi had pork. Very tasty.

The different ingredients available.

My chicken bun ngan.

Enjoying my food.

While we were busy eating, at the spot raided just a moment ago, the people were busying setting up their "shop" again. Even before we finished our food, their business was up and going again.

The spot that was raided just a moment ago. Now, it appears as if nothing had ever happened.

Customers were quick in coming back for the food.

1000 Hrs:

Went to walk around Halong Market.













This place just reminds me of People's Park back in home.





It is just next to the shore line and you can also admire Halong Bay from here.

1020 Hrs:

We walked to the bus stop to take the bus back to Bai Chay.

An old lady selling thanh mai, a very sour fruit.







The bus stop.

1030 Hrs:

The bus did not take long to arrive.

Inside the bus.

Bai Chay Bridge.

There is a port in Bai Chay. Sigh .... the horizon tilted.



1100 Hrs:

Arrived at Bai Chay.

Today is the last day in Halong. I would be going back to Hanoi tomorrow. Planned to just relax myself for the rest of the day.

Went back to the guesthouse and rested for a while. After which, I went out to walk around again.

Wondered around the shore. Walked along the shoreline. Came to the jetty again. It was so deserted compared to two days before.

The jetty. Its so deserted.



Also went to the few hotels near to the beach area to ask about their room tariffs.

I even met the two show girls at the fair whom I took photo of. They recognised me and said "你好吗?". "好!".

Hahaha .....

For the previous two days, there were a lot of tourists in Halong so I felt that its not as nice as it should be. Too many people moving around. To many boats on the water touring Halong Bay. In fact, I felt that if there were lesser people and boats around, it would be nicer.

1545 Hrs:

Bought two french loaves and a coconut. The french loaves costs 1,000 VND each. So now I realised I was "chopped" by the old lady selling the french loaves outside the jetty two days ago. The coconut costs 15,000 VND. Cheaper than what I paid for two days ago. Seems they jack up the price during the holiday season and now the season is over.

I sat down at one of the seats at the beach and enjoyed by treat.

Yum yum!!!

There was not much people around.



I finished the bread and scrapped the coconut flesh into the cup of coconut water and moved to the first row of seats.

This is the view at the first row.



I just sat there and stared into the far away horizon. Enjoying the cup of cooling coconut water. Watched the waves go by. Waiting for time to pass.

1700 Hrs:

Got up and returned to the guesthouse.





The beach was so empty.

0640 Hrs:

Dinner time!!!!!

What a spread. There was cockles but too bad I don't eat them.

After dinner, went up to my room to pack my stuff.

2230 Hrs:

Very tired. Went to bed.

Tomorrow morning would go back to Hanoi for the final league of my tour!