Days 5-7: HaLong Bay Cruise

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 we had breakfast.

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.

Day 8: Hanoi / Travel to Siem Reap

Day 8:

Last night Steve realized he forgot his seat cushion on the van from HaLong Bay to Hanoi. Luckily, the driver found it and delivered it to our hotel early this morning.

We then headed across the road (the place with the red and white umbrella) for one last massage before leaving (foot for me, and body/back for Steve).

The flight to Siem Reap was uneventful and we were glad to arrive to the hotel (The Community – Siem Reap ) in Siem Reap.

The suite room was gorgeous 

And since we needed to be out the door by 5 am in the morning for our sunrise tour, we ate dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Green papaya salad

Dragon fruit cocktail 

The entry/restaurant area

Day 9: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat Jeep Tour

Today was an early start with the jeep tour (Tours by Jeeps Cambodia) picking us up at 5 am. It was still dark and lightly raining outside.

Our first stop was Angkor Wat. We lined up outside to try to see it in the sunrise. Unfortunately the clouds and rain didn't lend to a visible sunrise.

At 6 am, we were allowed inside. We spent the next 2 hours with the guide exploring the the temples, carvings, and different areas, while it sprinkled on and off.

We then got back in the jeep and went to a small family restaurant for breakfast. It was simple (omelet, toast and fruit) and it was delicious.

After breakfast, we headed to the "tomb raider" temple of  Ta Prohm temple. 

This temple is overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground.

The area was covered in moss and had big trees with strangler figs.

After that, Steve was allowed to drive down country roads

to the entrance Angkor Thom, 

Here, the stone sculptures depicted demons and deities and included the Terrace of Elephants.

 After roaming around Angkor Thom, we took a short break to enjoy fresh coconuts and fruit. At this point, I wasn't feeling well (probably a combo of lack of sleep, being damp, and heat/humidity exhaustion)

Steve was allowed to drive to the next temple, Bayon. 

I started to go in,

but wasn't feeling well, so found a nice stone to sit on in the shade while Steve and the guide visited the temple. 

We then went to lunch at a small family restaurant. I had the beef lok lak and Steve had fish amok. Half way through we switched meals (I liked his better).

We drove past a few more temples then returned to the hotel.

After showering and relaxing for a bit, we arranged for massages from our hotel. It was a bit weird, since they did them in your room. I had a 90 minute foot massage (not as good as in Hanoi) and Steve had a 90 minute hot oil massage (he thought it was the best one yet).

After the massage, Steve took a tuk tuk tour of the town.

We then decided to have dinner at our hotel. We split a spring roll appetizer and shared a shrimp Khmer curry. The curry was delicious!!

We then headed to bed and get ready to join the river cruise tomorrow.