So long Halong!

Our last day in Halong Bay we went in search of what looked like a viewpoint over the bay when viewed on google maps but when we got there after a long uphill walk there was no viewpoint to be seen. We walked back to the hotel using google maps on my phone to direct us back. In other words we got completely lost in tiny back streets where the local people seemed shocked to see a young European guy and his ageing mother walking past their homes. That’s a joke by the way, Lynne will probably kill me when she reads it, she never did come to terms with the fact that she’s so much older than me! Another joke, yes, I’m just digging a deeper hole for myself!😬. Back at the hotel we had a drink and a sandwich in the bar and then went back to the room. The sandwiches were meant to be a snack but when they came they were huge. After a couple of hours enjoying the air conditioning in the room we ventured out again. This time we made our way to the cable car which would take us to the other side of the bridge that you might have seen in the photos taken from the balcony of our hotel room. The cable car turned out to be quite big, carrying probably at least 30 people and also it’s a double decker so there could be as many again upstairs. I have no idea how high it is at it’s highest but it was pretty scary looking down. Once we were on the other side we wandered around admiring the views over the bay and the city. It was rapidly getting dark so there wasn’t much time for photography before we took our place on the large wheel which was included in the ticket price for the cable car. Up close the wheel is much bigger than you would have imagined seeing it from our hotel and to do a full revolution took at least 15 minutes, during which time you’re treated to the most amazing views over the bay and the city. Unfortunately it’s not really conducive to photography as the only openings have a wire mesh over them presumably to stop parents throwing noisy children out!

Darkness descended while we were on the wheel so afterwards we made our way immediately back to the cable car for the return journey. Back at the hotel we didn’t bother eating as the lunch time sandwiches were still sitting heavy. We did however, go to the Blue Bay Restaurant for ice cream and a couple of cocktails. This is a very short instalment for our last day in Halong Bay. We had a really nice relaxed day but with rides on the cable car and then the big wheel there’s not much more to say of any note, and besides, I’m itching to talk about Hanoi which was our next destination. More of that next time!