Ha Long Bay

     One of our biggest splurges of the trip was an overnight trip on Ha Long Bay.  The general reviews for these cruises is that regardless of what you pay, you may get the bait and switch when you arrive and not end up in the accommodations you expected after the 4 hour bus ride from Hanoi.  However, we can report that we were pleased with the level of luxury aboard the Bellezza. Mind you, less than 24 hours are spent aboard.  Upon tendering to the ship you are greeted with welcome refreshments, a 9 course lunch, and posh cabins as the boat heads out through the famous karsts (but not really too far).  We were in the supposed less-touristy end of the Bay where only 30 cruise boats troll the waters.  However, they are generally all on the same itinerary.  After a bit, we got to our overnight anchorage where we were ferried off for an afternoon of kayaking and beach time (it rained).  When we returned to the Bellezza, the cove was full of the other night trippers.  We did enjoy spotting some large, yellow, stringy jellyfish off the top deck.  

Our host used the phrase "Sunset Party" at least a dozen times to ensure we were present for the top deck cocktail hour.  By a stroke of excellent fortune, after weeks of grey clouds and rain, the sky opened up and provided the most brilliant sunset of our entire 8 weeks. The girls got to hang out with some other kids for a change from London, Ireland, and Americans (currently expats in Riyadh).  The Garcia teens were, in fact, the only other American children we encountered on the entire trip.  The boat had room to host 5 families and we got to know them in a laid-back setting, rather than a "party boat" which is common in this racket.

Maya was bummed that swimming was discouraged at this beach at Fairy Cave.  The warning was due to jellyfish, which are common in these waters.  So is trash.  It was disappointing to see a disgusting amount of plastic caught up in the current.  For all the pride they have in this Unesco-Wonder-of-the-World, they don't make a lot of effort to preserve it. 

Genna was almost as interested in fishing as the Irish Boys.  They shared their table scraps with her so she could try bacon, bread, and apple bait.  What was scheduled as a night-time-only squid fishing event was carried over to the morning as we trolled back to the dock.  None were successful.

Part of the 2nd lunch was do-it-yourself, billed as a "cooking class" where you get to make fresh spring rolls and observe the chef carving produce garnishes.  All of the meals were multi-course and generously portioned.  Even the Carrolls had a hard time finishing everything that was offered.  If we could make a suggestion it would be less QUANTITY and more QUALITY.  The food was not bad, but some of it was a little blah.