29 Dec. Bai Tu Long Bay

Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay

We were collected at our hotel and dragged our bag through the busy streets of Hanoi to the Ethnic tour offices. I sensed a problem.... They started selling us that we should change our two night boating in Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay to a night on an island at the lodge rather. After insisting we wanted the 2 nights on the boat as booked and paid she then said we'd be doing the same trip both days and it would be boring. Without much choice being given we agreed to the island. She described paradise.... but first the 4 hour bus trip to Halong Bay in their own bus with another 6 people. We had a stop where I bought a roll. I'd asked one of the other ladies what she paid and it was 20,000 dong, about R7. I gave 50,000 and the lady gave me 5,000 change. I had to argue to get the proper change, which I'm sure was an already inflated price. Not nice.
We got into a separate car then for a further hour or more drive. Feeling annoyed about the whole thing we were met by our guide and joined a large group of Europeans onto the ferry type boat. This really wasn't what we had planned or booked. So we bought some beers.
It was very pretty at the harbour.

We got fuel from a petrol boat.

Lunch was on board and then enjoying the view.

When we arrived at the island a small truck took our luggage and we cycled about a kilometre to a beach where the two Americans swam. It was not great weather.
We then cycled about 7km to the village and our hostel which can be described very well with the word Awful.
And nothing to do or see anywhere even close.
Fortunately it was nice chatting to everyone as the Springroll demonstration was a bit dull.
Tu, our guide who is very sweet, when hearing we were from South Africa, was surprised we were not black - he looked a little awkward as he hinted at asking. Then later he said "Does your skin color change". I wanted to giggle thinking he expects us to turn black living there, but I think he was meaning do we tan a lot because he then explained the Vietnamese girls prefer to keep their skin lighter.