Ha Long Bay Vietnam

A visit to Vietnam would be incomplete without including Ha Long Bay. Glowing recommendations from fellow travellers, encouraged me to take a three hour mini-bus trip to the North of the Country-it's so far North that it's practically in China. Our group of twelve boarded a boat for an overnight trip to the bay islands. Later, we saw scores of boats silhouetted against a setting sun. Small Islands with sheer wall faces surrounded our boat as the Captain navigated his way through. The region is also well known for its large caves which we later explored. The climb by steep steps is definitely not for the couch potato brigade.

Boat accommodation, dinner, breakfast and lunch ashore was included with the overnight boat trip, as was kayaking and swimming for those inclined. Cost: $27 (not a misprint)