So Long 2007, Ha Long 2008!

We ran in the new year in majestic Ha Long Bay, Vietnam from the deck of the Classic Sails junk. We were fortunate to have one of the nicest boats on the bay and, more importantly, a great group of people: 2 young couples and a family of 4 from Australia, a gay couple from Hong Kong and two little old ladies from Tokyo along with our Vietnamese guide, Thuang. We had great laughs with the Australian couples and even caught up with them again back in Hanoi. The best was seeing the little old ladies from Tokyo out there exploring though. One of them was pushing at least 80! They hung right in there with a great sense of humor. I can only hope to be like them as I move on in years.

It's a 3.5 hour drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay off the northern coast of Vietnam. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region, and rightfully so. Ha Long Bay is an absolute natural wonder, even when filled with tourist boats. We were greeted on our boat with a welcome drink and a 7 course lunch including fish, crab, squid, chicken, soups, salads, beef, and fresh fruit. After lunch we explored an enormous cave in the limestone karsts and then climbed to the top of one of the karsts to enjoy a view of the bay.

That night we had a huge dinner with great conversation and then rang in the new year out on the bay. You could hear the countdowns and celebrations from the other boats and some even had fireworks (illegal). Not a bad way to ring in 2008.

On New Year's morning we were blessed with gorgeous sunshine and slightly warmer weather to go out kayaking around the bay, through caves and into quiet grottoes. It was phenomenal! Happy 2008 to all!!