HA LONG BAY.

Huge limestone islands in various shapes and sizes protruding from teal-blue water.  Ha Long Bay is magical, mystical and mysterious.  Including the legend of the Ha long bay Dragons, who were said to been gifted to the Vietnamese by God to defend their country against invaders in the open waters of the bay. After winning many battles, the dragons decided to stay,  molding the islands to what they are today!

RECOMMEND: Booking the 3-day, 2-night stay on the Royal Palace Cruise. The staff were helpful and friendly. Vietnamese style throughout the whole boat, almost like the boat was hand carved from a huge block of mahogany wood.  If you want to splurge a little more, get a room with an ocean view. Besides the ambiance, and break taking beauty of Ha Long Bay, the food on and off the boat was some of the best food I had on my trip!

Royal Palace Cruise’s website has an hourly breakdown Itinerary of your stay on the cruise. Click here for the Royal Palace Cruise Itinerary.

Press play for Caves, Islands and The Pearl Farm!

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Favorite part of our first day was hiking to the top of Titop island where you have a 360 panoramic view of Ha long Bay.(Note that it is a steep ass climb to the top but its worth it)

I’ll probably just keep repeating myself, but I don’t think I can say it enough just how STUNNING this place is. From the top, it makes you wish you could ride that mystical dragon, weaving between the thousands of limestone islands.

 

After the Titop Island, it’s time for Kayaking! Giving you more time to marvel over this place. Like how did this place come to be???

After dinner, the cruise ships have KARAOKE! Arguably the best ice breaker to get to know everyone on the boat. We were up all-night drinking, dancing and singing with people from South Africa, Portugal, Germany, and Finland!  I personally felt that i had my best performance of “Man I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain.

Favorite part of our second day at sea was going to the Pearl Farm! We learned the history of pearls, how they are made and of course enjoyed their jewelry store afterwards.  My birthstone is a Pearl so it was extra special to me. I ended up getting a pearl necklace for around $50. They have an array of prices and types of pearls to choose from!

I have never really liked my birthstone being a Pearl. Other gems are much more clear and shiny. After this visit to the pearl farm, i have never been more excited to have a pearl as my stone.

It is the ONLY living gem. You cant say that for the rest of them.

I would say that Ha Long Bay is becoming extremely touristy. You are not able to look out on the bay without seeing other cruise ships but it is still worth visiting!

Being there for 2 days and 3 nights was a perfect amount of time to explore Ha Long Bay. November was chilly and overcast. Would have been nice to gone for a swim!

A True Wonder of the World

 

Back to Hanoi to head to our next destination:

A 3-day trek through Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park!

 

Stay Kind,