After a three-hour minibus ride, we boarded our junk boat and began to motor around the many limestone cliffs, and fishing villages. As an unappetizing lunch was served we began to realize (and soon confirmed) that we were placed on the cheap boat, even though we'd paid for the nice one! That just seems to be the way things happen here! Over the next few hours we sat on the roof, played cards, drank some tiger beers, and met a great couple from Ireland finishing up a six-month trip of their own.
Next we stopped at a touristy cave which was crowded and dull, and afterwards kayaked around some of the bay. We were able to get some close up views of the fishing families that literally live on the water. Unfortunately, it was a bit cold to do much swimming, but it would be an amazing place in warmer weather. We also discovered a newfound love of choco-pies, which are sold at many of the floating stores that pull up alongside boats.
The next day, we went to Cat Ba Island and took a short, but steep, hike to a peak for some great views. And after our fourth meal of fish coated in an unrecognizable sauce, we headed to Monkey Island to see, well, monkeys. After anchoring offshore we waited for a long while for a boat to bring us ashore. Steve grew impatient and dove off for a cool swim in.
The last day we boated a bit more and headed back to Hanoi. Our plan was to kill time before our evening's train trip south, but unfortunately, Lindsey began to feel dizzy at dinner and we took her to the clinic. It turns out she had a lot of fluid built up in her ears and sinuses which caused bad vertigo. Steve teased her that she should at least get a good illness like malaria or tape-worms!
So after a few days of laying low in Hanoi, and eating some great non-Vietnamesse food, Lindsey is feeling better again and we're headed to Hue for what will hopefully be warm weather.
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