Halong Bay in Vietnam: my most anticipated site for the trip. I arranged a two-night junk boat cruise with Paradise Cruises. When you see pictures of Vietnam, Halong Bay seems to be the mascot for the country with its images of the rock formations that polka dot the blue waters off Vietnam.
It's a popular destination, and I had read previously that the number of boats in the bay was getting to be a turnoff, especially when the boats anchored and you heard the hum of numerous engines. Boats are told where to anchor, so I was relieved that the Paradise boats were able to anchor in a different location so it was not such a parking lot feeling. I recognize how lucky I was in experiencing the bay. Basking in the sunshine from a deck chair while watching these massive mountain-esque rocks glide by was serene, and I could have done that forever. Currently, Halong Bay is trying to put measures in place to reduce traffic and environmental impact - I hope the balance can be found.
The ship was not a large party boat but was more like a luxury boutique with less than 20 cabins. Because of that, solo travelers were not common on that fleet. The dining room was set up to include a table per cabin, so it was slightly awkward coming in for our first meal and seeing the lone table for me off to the side. For the record, I have no problems dining alone and do so frequently, but with the atmosphere, it seemed strange. Luckily, I met a Kiwi group that became my boat family and I crashed most of their meals. At one point, we were served a nine-course buffet meal per table. Um NINE courses all overflowing with food. How would I have eaten all of that?? Overall, too much food on the boat. Were they trying to fatten us up in case we fell overboard so that we would float better? Ok, I know that’s not true, but I thought I was going to have to be carried away, and the crew looked so sad if you didn’t finish your meals. They are going to have to get rid of a couple cabins to make way for a gym if they keep plumping us up.
One of the oddest (but slightly funny) moments occurred when we visited Ti Top Island. We had a couple of hours for the island, but the majority of other passengers from my boat decided they wanted to go back early due to the heat. I decided to stay and catch the tinder back later. At this point, 99 percent of the visitors on the island were large groups of Chinese and Korean tourists. There were only a handful of Western visitors that I could see. I was absentmindedly sunbathing in my bikini on the sand, and the Chinese and Korean tourists started sitting down next to me for photos with me, and then bigger groups started standing behind me for photos, and then there were even lines getting formed, all wanting a picture. It was the strangest and most awkward experience. I’ve faced this once or twice randomly on other trips, but this was like getting mobbed. In general, I want to be a good sport about these things and just roll with it, but this time I felt like I was in one of those old traveling circuses and on display for the freak show, and at that point, I had to walk away - quickly.
I have to be curious now whether selfies of me and strangers on the beach are framed on coffee tables scattered across Asia. I hope I didn’t blink in any of them! Honestly though, I want to learn more to understand the cultural background on the want for such photos. Things I keep in mind as I continue to travel.
