Sun 25 Sept 2022 - Hanoi to Halong Bay

 Sun 25 Sept. Day 4 – Hanoi – Halong Bay

Sunrise 5:46am Sunset 5:50pm

An early start this morning as we discover Hanoi as the city awakens, which is a great way to see how the locals begin their day. Our tour begins at the photogenic flower market and moves onto the Old Quarter—a fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses, also known as 'The 36 Streets'. Each street has been named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics and crafts to medicines and tombstones. This is also a great time of day for us to stroll along the majestic Hoan Kiem Lake as it stirs to life—a favourite spot among locals to practise Tai Chi, an exercise long known for its promotion of health and longevity, in the tranquil half-light. We can just watch these practitioners or join in ourselves. We’ll travel through the Hai Hong Province next, to breathtaking Halong Bay, dotted with thousands of limestone islands and outcrops.

We departed the hotel at 5am and headed out to the flower market. Along the way we passed runners who were competing in a marathon, at least I think they were. It was still dark at that time of the morning.  We arrived at the market around 5:30 and had a good walks around.  The place was really busy and there were people everywhere buying flowers to take to their shops or  locals buying for someone’s birthday or special occassion.

After being picked up, we were dropped off back in the city near the lake. We watched some of the people dancing, others were doing exercises. Not cars are allowed in this area on Sundays so it’s very much a people area.

We continued walking back to the hotel, where we had breakfast and then departed Hanoi heading to Halong Bay and our overnight cruise.  There was some rain on the way and by 10:30 it was pouring down.  We visited a pearl outlet and were given a quick talk about the different types of pearls. The only thing I bought was a cup of coffee.  We then continued on our way to the terminal, to be taken by tender out to the Star Viking, which was our home for the next 24 hours.  I’m having trouble posting photos, so am not doing anymore at the moment. 

Lunch onboard as we were taken out into the bay. We took a sampan to the Thien Canh Son Cave and the more adventurous kayaked instead. Back to the Star Viking and then another excursion, which I gave a miss to.

This evening there was a Happy Hour, a cooking class in the upper deck and then dinner.  I was in bed by about 10pm and asleep shortly after.