Our next adventure takes us to Halong Bay a bit north and east of Hanoi, about 2 hours drive. However, we flew there in a seaplane. Probably took just as long, considering getting to the airport etc. But we got a fabulous view of the bay in a circular fly over of the bay before landing.
As you can see, Halong Bay is made up of a dense cluster of 1,969 limestone islands of various sizes.
We boarded our boat, Paradise Peak, to spend the afternoon and night cruising the bay and visiting some of the islands. There were four other couples on our boat. Our cabin was unexpectedly large, with a private bath with shower and tub! There was also massage services available, of which Cathy availed herself of after dinner.
Our boat 
our Cabin 
Sailing through the islands 
After lunch we stopped at the Pearl Museum. Here they showed us how they farm the oysters, how they seed them to make cultured pearls and how they harvest them. There are three types of oysters that are used for pearl farming, each will produce different size and colors of pearls. Of course, our tour ended in the gift shop. Cathy now has a beautiful new pearl ring.
Showing us how they do it. 
Seeding an oyster 
Extracting a pearl
After shopping, we got in a kayak and rowed around the area for a brief period. The waters were calm, and we could get a close up look at some of the oyster farm.
Then it was back on the boat and off to the next destination which was an island with a beach and a stairway to hike up to the top of the mountain for a view. After a brief dip in the water, which was cold, we noticed some monkeys (I think a group of monkeys is called a troop) came down from the trees to climb on the rocks by the beach. Obviously the little one had not yet learned to read.
We returned to the boat to freshen up and were in time for a cooking demonstration. They told us that every Vietnamese woman needs to know how to make a spring roll in order to get married. So, Cathy passed the test. All the guests were asked to dress appropriately for dinner.
Sailing along 
How to make a spring roll. 
She is proud of her spring roll. 
Dressing for dinner.
After dinner we retired to our room in anticipation of an early start in the morning.
April 11 Halong Bay and off to DaNang and Hoi An
Wake up was early. We went off to an island to visit the “Surprise Cave”. We climbed up the steps to enter what was amazing formations in stone. There were three main caverns with formations resembling animals among other things.
The Cave. 
Turtle is good luck 
Can you see the monkey climbing the tree? 
The “happy” rock
Then it was back to the boat for breakfast and sailing back to the port. We were met once again by our guide and driver. It was a two hour drive back to Hanoi airport where we boarded a jet to Danang and three days of exploring the area around Hoi An an ancient city. We arrived at our hotel, the Four Seasons Nam Hai, truly an amazing facility where the architecture merges with the surroundings in a natural way. The setting was indescribably beautiful, and the staff was more than hospitable in their greeting and service. Our accommodation was on the beach with access and view that was uncompromising in its luxury. The surrounding area is obviously being developed as a destination beach resort with many new luxury hotels having recently been built or in the process. We did, later in our stay, pass the location for a new Marriott. One can only hope that as the area develops it maintains its charms and historical ambiance.
The pool area at the Four Seasons 
The view from our room
Continued “WOW.” Amazing. Love the polka dots!
OMG – truly awesome. It sounds like you are having the time of your lives.