Day 12 - Hanoi to Halong Bay, kayaking, cave and boat overnight

A short ride out the main boat on a 'tender'...

....a new word for me (defn. a smaller boat used to support larger boats by transporting people or supplies)

Many of the boats felt very 'shabby chic' with mixed European/Asian styling and lovely woodwork.

Not sure about the history of these boats, whether refitted for the annual > 5 million tourists or purpose built.

Legend has it that Halong Bay was created by a great dragon from the mountains...

...and the name Halong translates to “where the dragon descends into the sea”. 

Scientists, however, suggest that the landscape was formed through tectonics and water erosion. 

Halong Bay is considered an example of a karst landscape...

...formed by the dissolution of limestone in the area that occurred over millions of years.

The Me Cung Cave, also known as Maze Cave, is located in Lom Bo Island.

It had the complex structure with many compartments and a corridor of around 100m. 

The cave was believed to have belonged to an early Halong culture, ~7,000 – 10,000 years ago.

Halong Bay is one of the most stunningly beautiful sights with around 3000 limestone peaks rising directly from the clear emerald sea.

Our kayaking trip logged by my Garmin watch (boys and their toys).

A lovely thing to paddle out, away from the boats, crowds and 45 million scooters.

Day 11

Day 13