| How about gliding along peacefully on the bay of Along
in a junk... One absolutely cannot come to Vietnam without spending a
day on the turquoise waters of one of the most mysteriously beautiful
areas in Asia.
This 8th wonder of the world, with its hundreds of islands in all sorts
of surprising shapes; its beaches and caves hollowed out of the land by
the sea. The rocks that seem to spring up out of the China sea were created
by the gradual erosion of the land. Ha Long means "the dragon which
descends". And there are many legends about this region: the fishermen
in the area still believe that a sea monster lives in the bay and that
it comes out on foggy days to feed on boats!
As soon as you arrive at the bay, you will be approached by young people
who will offer you their services to take you on a boat trip around the
bay.
It's up to you, but we have never been ripped off by one of the locals
or disappointed by the ride, though it can be a bit too quick, like here
at Bay Chai. More than anything you should take your time. Don't be in
a hurry get out on the bay: the bay is at its most beautiful at sunset,
especially for photographs. Your guide will probably want to put you in
the first boat that leaves. |
The bay is strewn with little islands and caves with magical, fairy-like
names. And you are allowed to come to shore and visit the most well-known
ones, such as the "the cave of marvels" with its 90 steps, or
the "the cave of the drum" with the strange music it makes when
the wind blows inside.
The Vietnamese see animals and and shapes in each one of the little islands
(the hen, the dog, the hat, etc.) We had a hard time seeing them. But
maybe we have lost a bit of our imagination...
It's very easy to rent a boat for the day. You can even have a seafood
lunch on board with fish, octopus and especially the succulent shrimp
from the bay.
Renting a junk is a bit more difficult and more expensive, but a lot more
romantic!
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France :