Off to Halong Bay! We had time for the included breakfast. (What a steal, RM80+ a night for a nice room and breakfast!) Hmm most of the food items were Vietnamese and a bit strange. But ok la, there was more than enough to eat. Jo Ern didn't eat much, the trend for the whole duration of this trip.
It was a 3-hour bus journey to Halong bay excluding the 20-min stop. Jo Ern got a bit restless, started arching her back and demanding to 'walk-walk'. Luckily this didn't escalate into a tantrum! The snacks I brought helped to distract her.
Don't wanna sit here. Wanna go walk-walk
The 20-min stop was at a souvenir place. Of course things were overpriced and I didn't bother buying any. But there were some nice things here, like cushion covers, that I wished I could have gotten at decent prices! Didn't see them at normal shops later.
Oo what's this?
This one I know! Kish! Ish!
Finally, Halong bay! Was it nice? Well, yes. It's a little like island hopping in Krabi which we did recently, but better. There are way more islands and it is a much larger area. Pictures don't do the place justice coz it's a different feeling when you're SURROUNDED by beautiful scenery.
Our ship looked like this at Halong Bay
I claim this bed for tonight
Why Mummy wearing pyjamas outside?
The cruise included a trip to Sung Sot, a cave with nicely-lit stalactites/stalagmites and other interesting structures inside. Quite good. But there were 50 steps to climb to get in! Good for me that hubby carried Jo Ern all the way phew. I got myself up with quite a bit of huffing, puffing and rest stops. :) There were lots of other groups there but Jo Ern was the only small child there. So she got lots of attention. From one lady who went 'Ola! ola baby!' behind us for quite some time, to another who passed by and then did a double-take when she saw Jo Ern. Then she waved and made funny faces for quite some time too, heh.
This cave is interesting. But must carry me, don't wanna walk
Hubby: My gym sessions are paying off! But legs quite tired also...
After the cave visit was kayaking. Now this was fun! We should have gotten someone to take pictures. Jo Ern absolutely refused to wear a life jacket though I let her take it off as it was probably too big to be of any use anyway. Hubby rowed from the back seat, I sat in front with Jo Ern and rowed and steered a bit. Jo Ern got over her crying fit over the life jacket once we started rowing. She likes water and enjoyed dabbling her hands into the water. Again we attracted attention - cries of 'Ooo! Look at the baby!!'. Heh.
This life jacket is ugly and it's cramping my style. Take it off!
We didn't dare stay out long as it wasn't too safe for Jo Ern. Especially when this little one was busy 'helping' to row, taking off her shoes and dipping them into the water, climbing up to dip her FEET into the water. We sat back on the boat to wait for the others. One of the vendors gave Jo Ern a chocolate wafer (a cheapo Cloud9, but still it was a nice unexpected gift) which she put into her mouth immediately, wrapper included. I unwrapped it for her and she just ate and ate. Hmm the junkier the food, the more the kid likes it!
This is good food!
Coz later when we returned to the boat for a buffet dinner, she reverted to her usual 'don't-want-to-eat' self. She kicked up a fuss in the dining room and we had to take our food outside to avoid disturbing the others. It was nice eating out there though, to the sound of water gently lapping the boat.
I'm all full now, thank you!
Spent some time on the top deck since it as still early. There was a karaoke session on. The other guests were all Caucasions except for 2 locals - from US, Peru, different countries in Europe. Tourism is definitely thriving here.
Hmm sumbathe? But it's all dark
We couldn't keep our eyes open too long and retired to bed about 9pm. Zzzzzz....
*laughing at funny shorts*.
ReplyDeleteThe room on the boat looks much nicer than expected. Kinda imagined cramp double bunk beds type.