We returned to Tinh Binh tonight after a 2 day trip to Ha Long. We were ahead of schedule and pretty exhausted from some really hard days of walking/families so we decided to have a short rest and see one of Vietnam's treasures-Ha Long Bay. We took a van and drove a couple hrs., took two ferry's and ended up on Cat Ba island....very beautiful beaches and mountains. The next day we took a boat out to Monkey Island. I love monkeys and was very excited, went to the little market and bought 2 bunches of bananas. We took the boat ride out to the island ...very beautiful, isolated except for a few people who look after the monkeys. We were told that the monkeys come running down as soon as they see people but after an hour and a half of wandering up and down this beach, no monkeys. I did find some cool shells and coral on the beach. Still no monkeys. We finally just got back in the rowboat that took us to the big boat. As soon as we boarded, we looked toward the beach (now called money island) and there were the monkeys.
That afternoon, we boarded a boat and headed out to HA Long Bay. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. These incredible rocks protruding from the water-we were told there are 11,000 of them. The legend is: A mother dragon, knowing there was a typhoon, threw down these rocks in order for her to have a place to hide her babies-9 of them. The father dragon put his body in the open area near the rocks for further protection.
It is hard to describe the beauty of Ha Long Bay. I hope the pictures give you some idea of how amazing this place is. If you can ever make it to Vietnam, this is a place you have to go. It is a wonder.
We start walking tomorrow morning and will be very close to Hanoi. I still have all 10 toenails. Love to all....
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