Day 5: After breakfast at our hotel in Hanoi, we were picked up around 8 am to head toward Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay for our 2 night cruise with
Peony Cruise.
After checking in at the port, we enjoyed another coconut coffee while we waited to board the tender.
After a 30- minute tender ride
we were welcomed on board, then served a buffet lunch.
While eating lunch, we cruised past limestone karst formations. The original itinerary stated we would visit the Dark and Bright cave, and could choose to ride in bamboo boat or kayak through the cave. I booked this cruise to do this. However, the water level was too high, so instead, kayaking was off the back of the boat. I'm not coordinated enough for that, so Steve kayaked
while I relaxed in the cruise
and enjoyed the scenery.
As kayaking time was ending, a rainstorm rolled into the area, causing the landscape to have a mysterious appearance.
After dinner, there was a happy hour, which we took part in
but skipped the spring roll making lesson, since we know how to make them.
Dinner followed. The first course of prawns with mango was really good
but the rest of the courses were pretty mediocre (not bad, just not memorable).
Shortly after dinner, we went to our room where we relaxed and watched the bay from our balcony.
Day 6 (Day 2 of Peony Cruise):
We woke up early and got a hint of a sunrise
and a better view of the bay as it got lighter out.
I enjoyed a nice omelette and bowl of chicken pho for breakfast
Followed by some tropical fruits
After breakfast, we were transferred to a dayboat to go further into Lan Ha Bay.
Our first stop was supposed to be on Cat Ba Island to visit Viet Hai village by bike or tram. Unfortunately, waves were too strong to reach the island, so we (and other ships) had to turn around.
Instead, we stopped to ride sampans through sea caves (not sure which ones)
This change made me happy, since I was more interested in this than visiting the village (although we were promised fish pedicures in the village!)
Once again, we had a bit of rain, but it didn't last long.
After lunch, we were supposed to visit a beach were we could kayak and swim. Since we couldn't reach the beach, kayaking was from the back of the boat again. So once again, only Steve participated.
When kayaking ended, we returned to the main boat for happy hour then dinner. Dinner was a little better than the first night, but not by much. After dinner, Steve went squid fishing and actually caught a small one in less than 5 minutes.
Day 7 (Day 3 of Peony cruise)
Today started similar to yesterday. We caught a nice sunrise
Then there was an excursion option to visit Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island. Because the excursion was one way and you couldn't turn around part way through, I skipped it, but Steve went. He said I would have been fine with the 150 steps, but not with having to crawl in some places, so it was a good decision on my end.
When he returned, we checked out of our room, had a light lunch, then were transferred back to the Tirant Hotel in Hanoi.
We were given a surprise upgrade to a suite
Although, I told Steve it probably wasn't much of an upgrade on a Friday night, since it would be noisy outside
Shortly after checking in, we crossed the street for another massage. I had another foot/leg massage and Steve got a shiatsu massage.
After that, we further explored Old Quarter and had dinner (we shared a banh mi and fried seafood spring rolls). Both were tasty.
After dinner, Steve went back for a second massage, while I sat on my noisy balcony and listened to the band playing at the end of the road.
