Halong Bay. Day 2.

I didn't make the sunrise but woke early enough (6am) to join the Tai Chi class on the sundeck.  Feeling virtuous and very sticky, we then joined the groups being rowed into Luon Cave, leaving the kyakers to get even stickier.

The miracle was to be found in the lagoon beyond

Magical, but the highlight for me was the discovery of the golden monkeys which scamper amongst the bushes and in and out to the rock crevasses.

Then, it was back through the cave

 to join the kayakers at the boat.

Halong Bay is definitely one of the wonders of the world, but the experience, for us, was over too soon.  Another night would have been great.  We sucked in as many as the sights as we could- the islands,

the boats,

 

 

 the Kissing Chickens islands,
 

but we were back at the terminal by 10.30am.

Then, it was a rather boring wait for the bus at about 1pm, albeit in the very glamorous surroundings of the cruise restaurant listening to covers from this equally glamorous Phillipino trio:

We sat in the front seat with the driver on the way back and found it much less stressful  since it lets you see that everyone- except you - knows the rules and is in control....... mostly. ( There was a very crumpled truck on the other side of the road).  More vignettes of life were much easier to capture too, like this rice transporter

 water buffaloes

 

ceramics shops

 

although my camera seems to be on the way out:-(

We were back at about 5.30, very tired.  I think the food blog may have to wait!