Even though overcast, who would not want to wake up with this view? Such a sight greeted us to start day 13 of our South East Asian venture. Though certainly not in solitude as there are maybe about 20 other cruise junks anchored around us. Still just being here in Ha Long Bay is a long held dream come true.

As the cruise patrons on the junk next to us are enjoying breakfast, these women are  out early  peddling their wares. These floating convenience stores sold water, soda, fruit, liquor, and cigarettes. Though the cruise companies discouraged you from buying anything from them.

For the Vietnamese families who make their living in Ha Long Bay, the day starts early. Here are a couple of fishermen already out plying their trade. This man here, with his son and wife on board are fishing using a simple drop line.

Here is another boat heading out to their fishing grounds.

We were transferred to a different boat and headed out for the days’ excursion, visiting the fishing village of Vung Vieng.

Vung Vieng is one of three floating villages that may Ha Long Bay their home. Which is home to about 400 houseboats, where approximately 1,700 people call home. These colorful villages serve as home and income for these families.

The village consists of homes that also double as fish farms, a school, and an oyster farm.

Here we are being rowed from the day boat into the floating village.

I am not really sure what it was but I really did not feel in the mood to take allot of pictures. I do not know if I was just in slump because of how focused I was on the Mekong Cruise, I just wasn’t feeling very creative, or these signs that put a damper on my enthusiasm.

I spent most of my time taking pictures of the little boats, and the various ways of rowing them. Here is one being rowed only by the teenager’s feet.

After dropping their passengers off the drivers would leave the dock for the next group of tourist and usually row around and chat. Until it was time to pick the group up and head back to the day boats.

We headed back to the boat for a kayaking opportunity. I did not have a chance of cloths, so Mi Jung went by herself. She was gone for a good 45 minutes, and hearing her stories of exploring deserted beaches and life on the high seas.

Once we got Mi Jung aboard it was time to head back to the Glory legend for our final night in Ha Long Bay, relaxing drinks, good dinner, and Vietnamese coconut wine.
We awoke for the final day, final breakfast, and final excursion (This time to the ‘Surprise Caves’. It was a strange feeling getting packed again the night before, eating our final breakfast, and getting on board the shore boat for the final time, after being away from Korea and responsibilities for almost 3 weeks soon I would have to face responsibilities again.

After the surprise caves, we headed back to The Glory Legend for a quick lunch, our final check out while we headed back to the port, and our bus ride back to Hanoi. We have a day and a half more to play tourist in Hanoi before we fly back to Seoul.

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