Many of our guests on board have only come out for an overnight trip, so need to return to base to be dropped off this morning. Those of us who booked 2 nights are transferred to a day boat, Paradise Explorer, to take a trip to the largest Island in Halong Bay, Cat Ba. There is a large National Park, Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, on the island occupying 152 km2.
The weather today is better, overcast, but not raining.
After breakfast we transfer to the day boat at 8.45am, Joy decided to stay on Paradise Peak and soak up the luxury, rather than the"adventure activities" planned for the day.
On board Paradise Explorer
We arrived at Viet Hai Jetty on the Island at 10.30am, after a scenic cruise through the islands.
Women Collecting Sheelfish "Oysters Maybe"
Once disembarked at the Jetty we were herded up the walkway towards a building surrounded by bicycles and motor bikes. We had been asked earlier if we wished to have a motorbike of bicycle and all opted for a bicycle. The plan is to cycle to Viet Hai Village ~ 4-5 km inland. It had been a long time since most of the participants had been on a push bike, so you had to be ready to take evasive action at any time.
Heading down the Jetty toward the bikes
The hills proved a bit of a challenge (no gears on the bikes)
The ride was hilly in a few places but generally reasonably easy going, although the road surface could have been better, and one part went through a tunnel in complete darkness for short stretch, so it was a matter of steering straight and hoping you stayed on the road, one didn't.
Soon the village was in sight and we rode for what seemed forever to get to our meeting point, at the other end of the village.
Entrance to the village
Rice Paddies lined the road
At last we are at the meeting point
Having survived the bride to the village, we head off on foot for a jungle trek to a limest
Intrepid Trekkers
We had a cold beer back at the meeting point waiting for the rest of the group to return from the walk, and cycled back to the jetty.
The tender was waiting to take us back on board Paradise Explorer, where we are to have lunch, whilst motoring to our next destination for more excitement. The lunch is very nice Vietnamese food and just keeps on coming. I don't think any group managed to eat all of the food served up.
At our next anchorage, the activity is kayaking. There are a large number of 2 person kayaks available for us to head out and explore the area and some of the caves that are plentiful. The weather is looking a bit threatening, but the worst that can happen is we will get wet, so off we went. Everything was going fine until we decided to explore one of the caves. Going in through the wide entrance was a breeze and as we went further in the cave narrowed and went around a corner, and the tidal flow increased dramatically taking everyone by surprise. Turning the kayak back into the current and powering back out against it was not easy, mainly because it was quite narrow and several other kayaks were trying to do the same thing at the same time. After a few collisions, we were back out in the open, deciding we had explored enough caves.
After having a good look around we headed back to Paradise Explorer and decided not to participate in the next recommended activity, having a swim. Instead we were happy to sit inside, have a drink, and it was not long before the anchor was up again and we were heading to meet up with our mother ship. Paradise Peak.
The return trip took us past some old ground but you never get sick of the view. Soon we were reunited with our boat, and other were taken off to their boats.
Approaching the stern of Paradise Peak.
Back on board, we found Joy very relaxed and we received a full report of her activities from the crew.
Dinner tonight was the usual extravagant affair with more food than you could eat.
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