Vietnam Day 3 and Day 4 : Halong Bay Cruise

Day 3 and Day 4 : Halong Bay Cruise

We checked out from Hanoioi Hotel and left for Halong Bay Cruise. The drive was around 2 hours. We were dropped off at a reception area of the Peony Cruise .We were given a cards with our room nos  and also our luggages were tagged with the same numbers. We waited in the reception area, and then we were  called after some time by our Cruise Manager and taken to a speedboat. As we reached our cruise ship, speedboat was tied to the  ship and we entered the ship. We were given a proper royal welcome with music of drums, rose petals  and beautiful smile from the crew members. Then we checked our rooms which had all facilities and a balcony for a beautiful view of the Halong Bay, the luggage was already kept outside our rooms. 


Then had lunch at the dining area. We were explained about  all the facilities in the cruise and also about all the activities  for the day. We  then left for the kayaking experience. We were taken in the speedboat and  left at a place  for kayaking  . The water was still and quiet and so kayaking was easy and safe. We did Kayaking for  an hour and then we went back to ship through the speedboat.

There again some time was given for swimming near the cruise. Then at 6 pm, there was session to show how the fresh Vietnamese spring rolls are  made with Rice Paper. We made some spring rolls and  had them. Rice wine was served .Then we had a royal dinner,  just how dinner is served to the King and Queen in Vietnam with Pineapple lamps. Separate vegetarian food was served for us as per our request. Then there was squid fishing activity . We had a good sleep

Next day we quickly refreshed and attended a Tai Chi Session  at the top deck.



 Tai Chi is a Chinese Martial Art for defence, meditation and health benefits. We had a quick breakfast  which was called simple by Cruise Manager, but it wasn’t simple. We left for the Cat Ba Island by speedboat and then by bus. We visited the Tung Trang Cave. 



Cat Ba Island is the island of Women .Woman named Trung Trang stayed there and villagers liked her. White headed Monkey Langur is seen only here .Only 100 of them are left in the forest in the island. The cave possesses thousands of natural stalactites. The cave is lit with artificial light  and some places are too low and needs bending very low to pass through.

We returned to the ship and had  an elaborate brunch   and green tea. We were  bid farewell by the Cruise staff. Then we returned to the harbor  through the speedboat around 11 am.

Please read my review of Peony Cruise here.

We had to go back to Hanoi  Noi Boi Airport to catch flight to Hue .The drive was 2.5 hours. Web Check in was done by Ms.Trang .We reached Hue and was picked and dropped at Eldora hotel in Hue by driver. Please read my review of Eldora Hotel here.

We refreshed and went out to have dinner at Ganesh Indian restaurant nearby.

Please read my review of Ganesh Indian restaurant here

We also did some walking around and exploring the mall nearby.