Alright, this round I’m going to tell you the story about our second stop during our days in Vietnam. As the title can tell, we are heading to Halong Bay on the second day of our 5 days tour.
It started with a 4 hours travel by bus provided by the tour company from Hanoi. It was really an eye opener traveling on the route. Our bus couldn’t really travel fast no thanks to the crazy traffic in Vietnam. Roads are bumpy and there are lots of traffic along the way, particularly when we are crossing a town. I think we were able to travel at only 60km/h maximum throughout the whole journey to Halong City.
After hours of travel time on the bus, we have finally reached the ticketing office for Halong Bay. This is where we boarded a jet boat which later transferred us to Pinta Cruiser. (See discussions on Pinta Cruiser on tripadvisor)
We paid 85USD per pax for this junk. And for 85USD, I think we may be paying a little too much compared to others. Remember that it’s always wise to check the prices around the tour agencies in the Old Quarters back in Hanoi. There are plenty of them there. I overlooked on this point as I made all my arrangements through the hotel counter. It was hassle free though as I only needed to deal with them. The extras are probably for the commissions.
Another thing to note that the junk operator would request to keep our passports with them. I’m not too sure on why they want to do so but I guess it may be for security reasons. Just in case when the ship sinks, the authority will be able to find all of its passengers identity more easily or maybe they just want to make sure that we will clear our bill before leaving the boat (or by jumping and running away).
Prior to all that, the stay in Halong Bay is enjoyable nevertheless though! We need not to worry about not getting TV reception or cellphone network. We are getting satisfactory cellphone reception along the route although it may drops a little some time.
We signed up for 2 days 1 night tour. After our lunch on board, we went to Hang Sung Sot Grotto cave. The entrance ticket the tour operator bought for us back on shore includes the fees to visit one cave.
Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sửng Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bồ Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Hạ Long Bay.
Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.
Inside, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes.A narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors. The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time.
At the deepest point of the grotto, a “royal garden” appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains. Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here. On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit.It is situated in the central tourism centre of the bay, as well as Ti Tốp Beach, Bô Nâu Grotto, Mê Cung Grotto and Luồn Grotto. French named it “grotte des surprises” (grotto of surprise) From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25 m above the sea level. Going down some 10 stone stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto. The grotto covers some 10,000 m2. Inside the grotto there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage. Light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments. The lighting system with elegant styles adds more charm to the beauty of the grotto.
Up in the 30-meter roof of the grotto, one can figure out small, soft and even concave spots, which look like patterns in the ceiling of a theater. A huge piece of stone stands up to the ceiling by the grotto’s mouth. This evidences one of the typical karst-style grottoes with high scientific values.
At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horse with a long sword. Legend has it, that after having defeated the Ân aggressors, Thánh Gióng (the Saint Gióng) helped the population to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this feat, Saint Gióng flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continue to keep the demons away.
Quoted from halongtravelguide.com
Along the way to the opening of the cave at the top, we can get a very good view of Halong Bay. Hazy weather hindered us from getting a good shot so I opted for Sephia effect here.
After then, we were just sit back and relax, cruising along the bay for the rest of the day.
On the next day, I went kayaking around Hang Trong. It is advisable to kayak on low tide as we can get higher clearance when kayaking through caves. Going through the cave on high tide may be a little bit riskier but still do-able.
It was another tiring 4 hours trip back to Hanoi after lunch on board. Basically that marks the end of our Halong Bay trip.
If there’s only one place you can go in Vietnam, that would be Halong Bay!
From the jetty, we traveled to hang Song Sat for caving, then stayed overnight at H. Ti Top. On the next day, we went kayak around hang Trong before heading back to the shore.
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soo sean
October 20, 2009 at 10:40 am
Emm…you are ahead of me now. I am too lazy to update.
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