Bobcock in Vietnam - Part 2 - Halong Bay

[Bobcock]

I took a two day trip to Halong Bay, I was originally going for 3, but had to change as I needed to be back in Hanoi because my wife and kids were joining me.

I must say I was disappointed. Not by the bay itself, but by the fact the boat went to the same area everyone else did. Stopped there and went no further. The idea of cruising around was appealing. sadly we did none of that. There are so many boats doing the same thing, it's hardly ideal.

I'm not that good at this sort of photography, so I'd appreciate any pointers.

Just so Nawty feels happy, I'll confess, there are some cheats in these artworks (blue skies). it was grey all the time.

1. taken from a fast moving bus on the way to Halong.



2. just too many boats.................



3 - 8. Pictures taken inside the rather large cave. Name escapes me now.

[Bobcock]

8 - 9. Not the greatest sunset ever.





10 - 15 On the second morning we did a short trip to Cat Bah Island to drop some people off, then headed back to Halong. Nice trip, but just not enough of the scenery to do it justice.













16. Heading back to port, it was like a race, loads of boats all headed in the same direction.



17 - 20. The countryside is fantastic driving back, so green. I just wanted to stop and walk out into the fields with a camera, but I was reduced to a 400mm lens and a seat at the back of the bus.

Some of them are not too bad though.

[Marmite the Dog]

I'd appreciate any pointers.

Never use a square vignette.

[Bobcock]

Different vignette, slightly different crop.

[terry57]

Some nice pictures there mate.

Not much you can do about the amount of boats that cruise that place as every bugger and his dog fronts up for a look see.

Give it a few years and things will quieten down abit as the punters will wisen up to the rip offs going down in vietnam and stop going there.

Slippery little buggers they are.

[Bobcock]

I've deleted one of the pics because it was crap.

Actually I found the Vietnamese very pleasant, very helpful and the 'rip offs' not much worse than how real tourists get treated here.

[wichenburi]

I like your pictures, I think Halong looks great. Would you recommend it.

[sunsetter]

nice one bob

[Nawty]

I like the too many boats one meself, very nice.

What is a vinigarette ??

Keep trying BobsKnob, you're getting better at it...

Now if you only took the camera into the toilet that time I might have believed you.

[Nawty]

'back of the bus'.....how appropriate

[Bobcock]

Nawty.

You really are a bell end.

Oh and I did, I just never showed you the picture.

I don't like these pics, just put them up to continue the story, next is Hoi An, back to choosing only good shots (if I find any).

[Anja09]

Wonderful pictures. I, myself, enjoyed Halong Bay but I only went for a day trip there (had a very tight schedule). The cave is called "Cave of surprises" by the way

[Don Ho]

Nice photos Bobcock. I went to Halong Bay about 3 1/2 years ago. I did two nights on the bay and I'm glad I did. On the first morning as the rest of the passengers returned to port I was transported to my own private small junk. It was just me, my translator/guide and a crew of 3. We went further out into the bay, visited a floating village and went out to the edge of the bay were I could spend some time on a private beach. On the way back in we stopped and my guide and I did some kayaking inside the karsk, totally isolated, it was wonderful.

If you do go back I recommend going ahead and staying two nights. Also, the climb up Tito Island for sunset photos will give you a great panorama of the bay.

[Aussie Tigger]

Took my thai wife to Halong Bay,been there before but first time for her. Kids in the street were shits even my wife who is normally reserved gave them a blast for their rudeness.
Vietnam is easy to travel but last time more touts and aggressive bastards around.
Sapa in particular was a trap,wonderful scenery but the gangs there that intimidate the local bus drivers from the train station made it the last time I will go there.
South Vietnam ok but the further North you go in my opinion the less friendly it is.

[Cujo]

Did you go on the boat?
If so what was the cost?

[kingwilly]

Nice photos Bobcock. I went to Halong Bay about 3 1/2 years ago. I did two nights on the bay and I'm glad I did. On the first morning as the rest of the passengers returned to port I was transported to my own private small junk. It was just me, my translator/guide and a crew of 3. We went further out into the bay, visited a floating village and went out to the edge of the bay were I could spend some time on a private beach. On the way back in we stopped and my guide and I did some kayaking inside the karsk, totally isolated, it was wonderful.

If you do go back I recommend going ahead and staying two nights. Also, the climb up Tito Island for sunset photos will give you a great panorama of the bay.

How did you organise that ? I had a similar experience to Bob close about 10 years ago.

[Don Ho]

Nice photos Bobcock. I went to Halong Bay about 3 1/2 years ago. I did two nights on the bay and I'm glad I did. On the first morning as the rest of the passengers returned to port I was transported to my own private small junk. It was just me, my translator/guide and a crew of 3. We went further out into the bay, visited a floating village and went out to the edge of the bay were I could spend some time on a private beach. On the way back in we stopped and my guide and I did some kayaking inside the karsk, totally isolated, it was wonderful.

If you do go back I recommend going ahead and staying two nights. Also, the climb up Tito Island for sunset photos will give you a great panorama of the bay.

How did you organise that ? I had a similar experience to Bob close about 10 years ago.

I didn't know that I had organized anything special. It just so happened that I was the only traveler that booked 2 nights on the bay. In the afternoon I transferred back to the large Junk with the next group of 1 nighters. Only bummer was the next morning had the same iteneray as the first morning with a trip to Splendid Cave.

[CaptainNemo]

I've deleted one of the pics because it was crap.

Actually I found the Vietnamese very pleasant, very helpful and the 'rip offs' not much worse than how real tourists get treated here.

There's a noticeable difference between the northerners and the southerners.
I haven't met any Viets I'd describe as pleasant, but they have got a very picturesque country... I should dig out my old photos sometime.