Halong Bay Vietnam 2014
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Halong Bay Vietnam:  This is Hang who performed nightly on a traditional Vietnamese hammered dulcimer. The ethereally beautiful music added an exotic ambience to lounging in the lobby.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Part of the musical instrument ensemble on display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Dining room setup in the Halong Plaza Hotel. Notice the fresh flowers on each table... and the cloth napkins! The "No Smoking" notices on each table is superfluous as smoking is prohibited throughout Vietnam inside any habitable enclosure.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Part of the musical instrument ensemble on display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Poster announcing lobby entertainment in the Halong Plaza Hotel where I spent most of my time.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Part of the musical instrument ensemble on display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Dining room setup in the Halong Plaza Hotel. Notice the fresh flowers on each table... and the cloth napkins!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Like the gingerbread houses Westerners assemble during Christmas, this house is built of various crackers for display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Two of the smartly uniformed Halong Plaza Hotel staff who frequently greeted me with friendly smiles: Hoang on the left and Ngo on the right.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Part of the musical instrument ensemble on display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Sleeping rooms in the Halong Plaza Hotel have been designed for people with heavy Internet access needs. In addition to strong WiFi signals throughout the hotel, my room also has an Ethernet connector for direct connection to the server... and there are abundant power outlets around the work area!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking down from my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza hotel into the pool area. The poolside banquet tables suggests the hotel is setting up for a major function in the cool of the evening.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking down from my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza hotel at the bus parking lot area.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking out of the window in my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza hotel toward the bridge connecting the two sides of the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  My surprise upgrade from a "superior" to a "deluxe" room explains the complimentary dish of fresh fruit I found waiting for me in the Halong Plaza Hotel. They do know how to make a fellow feel like a VIP.

 

Halong Bay Vietnam:  This potted plant sits next to the elevator on the tenth floor near my room at the Halong Plaza Hotel. Notice the tallest slender shoot and marvel at the structural integrity engineered by Mother Nature. It is supported by nothing more than its roots and balance.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Every room in the Halong Plaza Hotel has a sea view and complimentary coffee/tea service like this.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Decorative model ship in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  View from my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza Hotel. From here I can watch the ebb and flow of river traffic beneath the bridge.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks foliage like this flashed bright green as it moved in the wind, catching my eye and encouraging me to capture the action photographically. Mother Nature is wonderful, isn't she!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another view from my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This is what the tree illumination LED high intensity lights along the bayside walk look like at night. With only about one square inch of light emitting area, these things are very bright.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another view from my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I ventured down a side street not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel and found this small cluster of fresh seafood vendors, enjoying what appeared to be hilarious gossip along with the marketing activity.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I ventured down a side street not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel and found a small cluster of fresh seafood vendors selling creatures like these... edible, I am assured.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I ventured down a side street not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel and found this small cluster of fresh seafood vendors.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: On one of our walks a vender displayed huge bags of unprocessed cashew nuts like those on the left of the plate. The dark skins resemble those on red peanuts and rub off fairly easily to yield what looks more like the nuts we can buy in the store. At about $9 per kilo or a little over $4 per pound, they are pretty cheap compared to home prices.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I ventured down a side street not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel where I discovered this pair engrossed in a chess-like board game.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This is one of six such "sculptures" erected to mark the location of a popular bar some years ago and now replaced by one of those tourist markets offering high priced products like coffee and local crafts.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This sign hangs on the railing next to one of six "sculptures" erected to mark the location of a popular bar some years ago. When I asked several locals for the English translation of the sign, all displayed embarrassed expressions and muttered under their breath: "Don't throw garbage into the bay!" I'm not sure why they should find that embarrassing! Perhaps, they are concerned tourists might take away a diminished impression of their beautiful city.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This sign hangs on the railing next to one of six "sculptures" erected to mark the location of a popular bar some years ago.
 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I ventured down a side street not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel and found this small cluster of vendors, enjoying what appeared to be hilarious gossip along with the marketing activity.


Halong Bay Vietnam: War memorial located in the shadows of an impressive Karst geological outcropping near the edge of the water.


Halong Bay Vietnam
cruise to see the Karst geological rock formations; Winda, my travel companion sets up the perfect shot with her integrated Ipad camera.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  One of our onboard guides speaks very little English. Here he seems to be contemplating weighty matters unrelated to his job of making sure he ends the tour with the same number of guests who got on the boat.


Halong Bay Vietnam: Big promotional sign on the floating dicks used by rowboats waiting for people wanting to closely explore the Karst geological formations.


Halong Bay Vietnam: The pebble paved pathway up to and through the Dau Go Cave we visited is lined with little curio stands offering souvenirs to those who can't resist buying something to tae home.


Halong Bay Vietnam: Another passenger on our boat climbs the stairs to the upper deck for a better view of the surrounding scenery.


Halong Bay Vietnam: 
Passengers checking out their life vests in preparation for an open boat ride.


Halong Bay Vietnam: Dozens of boats full of curious tourists meander among the labyrinth of passageways connecting all of the geological formations in the bay.


Halong Bay Vietnam: 
Fresh produce delivered right to your floating door.


Halong Bay Vietnam: 
During our bay cruise Winda finds a shady spot on the upper deck with an improved breeze and settles in for much of the time we are moving.


Halong Bay Vietnam: Dozens of boats full of curious tourists meander among the labyrinth of passageways connecting all of the geological formations in the bay.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking past our boat's masthead at the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.
 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  My longtime neighbor and friend, Winda marveling at the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay during the short period she joined me to share my serendipitous mode of adventure travel.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking out on the bay from along the area where the little parks are located.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel and near the end of a series of sculptured landscaping displays I spotted this group of neighbors sitting out the hottest part of the day in a shady spot under trees. The child sized stools are the most popular form of sitting down furniture... for adults!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Eventually I discovered the sole representative of American fast food genius across the bridge and a short bus ride from my hotel. The young girl at the service counter spoke a smattering of English and when I finally made her understand I wanted a "breast," she pulled out this flyer and convinced me I really wanted three pieces of chicken. I love these encounters which test everyone's ability to use charades under real-life conditions.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of cruise boats touring the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations around the bay.

 

 

Maps icon8-28 September 2014

 

Greetings from Ha Long Bay in Vietnam:

 

Halong Bay in Vietnam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and more recently in 2007 has been voted one of the new seven wonders of the world. I took a hundred photos during those few hours. Karst geology in this part of the world certainly is photogenic!

 

During my brief one day visit to Halong Bay back in 2002 I vowed to someday return when I had more time to enjoy the unique scenery and extensive level walking opportunities. This is that hoped for return, so I have done a lot of walking. My short term travel companion and long term walking partner from back home is Winda Sholes. She and I flew into Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport after a single night in the Amari Don Mouan Airport Hotel in order to make a 0645 flight departure possible. The hotel is quite comfortable and based on our trial run the day before, offers a splendid buffet breakfast for those not rushing for a pre-breakfast flight. In our case, the hotel prepared a substantial "box lunch" for us to take away.

 

Immigration formalities included a $45 visa on arrival in Hanoi (pronounced "Han Oh" by the local folks) as we had obtained the $17 visa approval letter with the Internet application prior to arriving. Customs and immigration formalities took about a half hour. Once we had paid our money and presented our passports, we waited with others until an automated system read our documents and a computerized voice like Stephen Hawking's called us up to collect our visas.

 

City busses (#7 and #17) sat ready a short walk to the right outside the terminal to whisk us into the center of Hanoi city. Alighting from our #17 bus in the city center terminus we quickly located the #55 bus that would get us to the appropriate intercity bus terminal where big deluxe busses leave several times an hour for Halong Bay. Tickets are 100,000 Dong or about $5. I always buy two bus tickets so there never is a hassle about my bag occupying one of the seats. Winda sensibly bought only one ticket and because the bus was not crowded her bag also rode in the empty seat beside her. The trip takes 3-5 hours; ours took close to 5 hours.

 

My eager travel companion had been warned about my peculiar hotel shopping habits and gamely played along with my bizarre shenanigans. First, we started walking in a direction thought to be toward the bay where the previously identified good possibility Saigon Halong Hotel and a cluster of other promising hotels would be located. Several queries of locals later and we finally got correctly oriented and started our hike in the right direction to the bay shore. Naturally, EVERYONE wanted us to ride something as the distance is seven kilometers! ... "much too far to walk." Ha! Winda is my frequent walking partner back home, so she handled the ordeal much as I did... without complaint... most likely even enjoying the exercise.

 

After several false starts we eventually found the Saigon Halong Hotel and entered to start the negotiations. Walk-in rates we learned are 1,500,000 dong (about $75) for a deluxe sea view room. The receptionist may have been ill prepared for rate negotiations with the likes of me or perhaps his command of English lacked some essential nuances. When I revealed my research had found the Agoda agency offer of the same room for 1,200,000 dong, he appeared ready to negotiate a lower rate. With garbled, poorly pronounced, convoluted English he led me to believe he could meet the Agoda rate for a sea view deluxe room and we prepared to have an inspection. The sea view room he showed us looked fine and we agreed to proceed with the bookings.

 

Back down at the desk we started the registration process with credit card charges. To my surprise the charge slip presented for signature showed the original higher 1,500,000 dong rate. Immediately I protested that we had agreed on the Agoda matching rate of 1,200,000, to which he responded that the lower rate he had mentioned applied only to the superior, not deluxe room. So, up we went again to see the cheaper room; it turned out to be identical, but without a sea view. Infuriated, I protested confusions like this at the beginning of a hotel stay did not bode well for a happy long term relationship and told him and the now present desk manager to cancel the credit card charges and we would look elsewhere.

 

No one seemed to know how to cancel a credit card charge, so the manager handed us three crisp new 500,000 dong bills instead... with profuse apologies for all the unpleasantness. Later, it occurred to me that restarting the reservation process using Agoda would get us the deluxe room at the lower rate, but the original unpleasant experience undoubtedly would make everyone uncomfortable.

 

Now tired, hot and disheartened, our eagerness to book a decent hotel led next door to the Halong Pearl Hotel with walk-in rates of $50.  Agoda might have been a better bet, but not without Internet access. The rooms appeared adequate, so after a brief discussion we took them. Breakfast turned out to be awful, meaning I would naturally want to find a better value eventually for my longer stay. Immediately after breakfast we checked out the nearby Grand Halong Hotel and quickly agreed it would be a superior choice for Winda's final two nights in the country. Noting I expected to stay for perhaps a week, the $70 walk-in rate came down to $60 B&B (matching the Agoda rate!).

 

A $20 bay cruise arranged by the Grand Halong Hotel for the following day provided a "low budget" three plus hours whirlwind tour of the major geologic features around the bay. The package included transfers both ways, but leaving the boat we could find no one waiting to get us back to the hotel. Finally, one of the dock staff noted our plight and seemed to be finding our transport, but actually only arranged for a taxi;  to my "no pay?" question she nodded. But, the cab driver still expected to be paid when we arrived at the hotel, leading to some acrimonious conversation.

 

Vietnamese currency gives new meaning to the expression: "paying with plastic." The "paper" bills are actually some paper-like plastic material with unusual folding properties. Since 2003, Vietnam has replaced its cotton banknotes with plastic polymer banknotes. Folded bills either take on a semi-permanent folded condition or spring back to the unfolded condition, never quite doing what I intend. All denominations of the  currency bear the image of "founding father," Ho Chi Min and a 20,000 dong note equals about one US dollar at the moment: two million dong about one hundred US dollars.

 

As I write these words, Typhoon Kalmaegi is shouting defiant threats to all sentient beings in its path. Snug in my (worth five stars) deluxe Plaza Hotel room here on the tenth floor I am privileged to see and hear the fury of the storm. High velocity winds are whipping tree foliage about wildly and the whistling sound of wind over holes in the structure is a variable solo concerto for the few hardy remaining souls in the hotel. With the threat of the Typhoon most/all cruise ships put up in safe harbors, meaning the in flow of new guests to hotels along the strip has dwindled to a trickle. So few guests remain here in the Plaza Hotel staff has decided to replace the lavish buffet breakfast spread with individualized al-la-carte breakfasts tomorrow morning during the storm.

 

From my perfect high perch directly opposite the bridge I can see a long queue of motorbikes halted on the hanging roadway, apparently timing their mad dashes for breaks in the heavier vehicular traffic... which is pretty light in these high winds. I have experienced few consequences of the storm myself so far: a couple power interruptions while the hotel's auxiliary generators kick in, some of the satellite TV channels going black, but little else.

 

Exactly one week after the Typhoon passed another storm of sorts unleashed its fury on the latest manifestation of evil in the world, the ISIS Islamic extremist offensive in Iraq/Syria, both countries I have visited. On 23 September 2014 an American led coalition of some 30-40 countries including a half dozen moderate Middle-eastern Arab countries launched a massive wave of coordinated air strikes against high value military targets of the ISIS conquering forces sweeping across northern Syria and Iraq just south of the Turkish borders, an area I know quite well from my travels.

 

As I watched the news reports of atrocities being committed by the ISIS idealistically motivated Islamic juggernaut I couldn't help comparing their military strategies with those used by the first Islamic expansion campaign more than a millennium ago when the prophet Mohamed offered conquered people the simple choice: convert or die!

 

Fear has been a powerful military weapon in the arsenal of many of the world's great empires wanting to expand their territory by conquest. What is surprising is that such a barbaric behavior has survived in the face of universal efforts to find peaceful means for solving disagreements. But, I forget that objective reason has never been an effective means for persuading idealistically blinded religious fanatics to modify their behavior. They insist their unshakable faith is the highest of virtues where reason has no role!

 

For much of my adult life I have attempted to avoid polarized positions on world religions, finding something of value in every irrational belief system. That tolerance is being severely tested by the actions of Islamic extremists. My moderate Muslim friends have remained quiet for too long and it is from within their community of peaceful believers where reform must begin. Once again I call upon all thinking people to examine the destructive aspects of Islam and concoct strategies for retaining the good and abandoning the bad anachronisms. To this end I direct attention to a hard hitting website which critically examines the contemporary elements of Islam which trouble the much of the world: TheReligionOfPeace.com.

 

After my friend Winda's departure I resumed my optimum hotel value search. Breakfast in the Halong Grand Hotel hardly met my bare minimum requirements. The dining room staff seemed mainly concerned with clearing away the evidence of guests dining by the nine o'clock deadline, so late arrivals needed to scurry in order to grab vittles before the over anxious staff whisked everything away. As far as I could tell, all of the other guests came on low budget package tours organized in Korea, so the noodles and rice emphasis no doubt satisfied their preferences. I do enjoy the stir fried cabbage concoction always included with every Vietnamese meal, however.

 

There was at least one bright moment in the Grand Hotel: to be fare, my friend Winda and I had a delightful al la carte simple dinner one evening in the hotel's cavernous, dimly lit deserted dining room... and cheap: $15 for the both of us. The young English speaking waitress serving us added to our enjoyment with her contagious enthusiasm and alert attention to our every unspoken wish.

 

Continuing my early morning quest for the "perfect" hotel as I investigated other nearby possibilities, I naturally paid special attention to the quality and selection of items on the breakfast buffet tables. Most of the places had some slightly varied version of the inadequate Grand Hotel offerings. When I reached the Halong Plaza Hotel at the farthest end of hotel row to the North, I'd about given up finding anything close to my hoped for quality at a room rate compatible with my travel-forever, make the funds last 'til the end budget. The minute I entered the hotel for an inspection I dashed back to the dining room to beat the common nine o'clock termination time for Vietnamese hotel breakfasts. To my surprise and delight, this hotel continues serving until ten A.M! ... and, both the selection and quality left no doubt I'd be properly fed. The food and beverage management is unsurpassed here. Both selection and quality of dishes complimented the thoughtful, alert attention of the serving staff during all meals I subsequently enjoyed at the Plaza.

 

At the Halong Plaza Hotel reception desk everyone spoke some English, several excellent English. Equally importantly, they spoke "Agoda" and agreed to meet that agent's discount rate of $64 B&B, net. When I saw the room, all indecision evaporated and I agreed to take a room without further discussion, indicating I expected to stay for a week or more. This hotel, built in 1997 deserves 5 stars, though it is currently only rated 4 star! It is clearly the best value of the many I investigated, including one rated five star. Sitting directly across the bay front boulevard, a wide walkway through beautifully landscaped gardens runs along the seawall. My first night in the hotel a talented musician entertained the few guests lounging in the lobby with her performances on a traditional Vietnamese hammered dulcimer.

 

Naturally I have been walking... a lot! On one trek I first bussed over to the other side of the bay where the war memorial plaza is located. From there I started a walk back until stumbling on the only example of an American fast food joint in this part of Vietnam: a KFC restaurant. Wanting only something light I ordered a single piece of chicken and some coleslaw, but the young server behind the counter excitedly would hear none of it, pulling out a flyer promoting a Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal. With almost no English she made me understand what a great deal the offer represented, so I succumbed to her enthusiastic persuasion. Three pieces really made a meal too big for my dainty stomach at that time... especially when she drew my attention to another deal: 4 egg custards for the price of 3. Packaging the surplus I managed to satisfy my hunger that evening with the leftovers... foregoing the huge $16 seafood buffet in the hotel that evening, though I have enjoyed it numerous other times during my stay (See all the photos). Many American fast food restaurants like KFC have dining areas on upper floors where large picture windows provide an unexcelled perch for people watching, one of my favorite things to do in a foreign country.

 

On another long walk I ventured up into the hills behind the luxury hotels lining the bay shore drive and found an endless selection of old, some dilapidated budget hotels. Considering the difficulty reaching them on foot I wondered who would choose such a venue in a vacation place like this even with what must surely be very low room rates. A long time budget backpacker myself, I knew those of really tight budgets might be convinced to settle for questionable quality at the right price. Then I spotted a better explanation: off to the side sat a taxicab.

 

Around every transportation arrival point there are always touts waiting to lead the naive to substandard, out of the way, over priced hotels. These guys naturally receive fees from the places to which they entice guests. On numerous occasions I have watched as smooth talking agents bamboozle usually young bewildered backpackers into following them to this or that "really great place." In fact, I have myself fended off such eager promoters on many occasions in the past. On another walk to higher ground I found a long stretch of elegant budget hostels like the one called "The Light" with room rates around $15 per night, an excellent value in that price range!

 

As I write these words northern Vietnam where I am staying has survived the fury of Typhoon Kalmaegi which left behind uprooted trees and scattered debris on the roadways. For the past couple weeks the international television news broadcasts have been dominated by the Scottish referendum seeking independence from the United Kingdom. Moments ago the results showed most Scots desired to remain a part of the British empire.

 

The Scottish independence movement contrasts dramatically with other recent events around the world. It would seem that violent anti-democratic uprisings occur when it is a minority that is agitating for changes not desired by the majority, such as the activities of the Islamists throughout the Middle East right now. Democracy, while far from an ideal form of governance, still seems to offer the best protections for the most people. Extreme positions, by their very nature, rarely are embraced by any majority left free to choose a single course of action.

 

Most women on the streets wear "dust" masks; a smaller portion of the men also wear them. Older people commonly still wear the pajama suits... a very practical choice in this hot, humid climate. City bus rides are about fifty cents to anyplace I want to go. One of my favorite destinations is across the bridge where I found the modern KFC restaurant.

 

My sense of smell has been on the decline for several years, but here in the hot, humid air of Vietnam I am overwhelmed by exotic fragrances, some not so pleasant, but most refreshingly different and pleasing. As my long marathon walks frequently take me into residential neighborhoods, encounters with the "just plain folks" are common. In most neighborhoods everyone smiles and many try out the one word of English they know: "Hello!" The older folks (people my age) go out of their way to make contact with me, toothless grins and all.

 

I have been ensconced here in this comfortable Halong Plaza Hotel for two weeks working on my BIG backlog of postcards and emails... and still am far from finished! As my Vietnam visa expires in a couple more weeks, I need to move on to Hanoi where there is a Chinese Embassy. Previous experience reminds me it will take a week to get the visa for travel into the Peoples Republic of China again. The old cycle of travel, write, and share my postcards has been derailed due to all the medical challenges. I'm still going strong and my mind remains as juvenile as ever, but the backlogged tasks have piled up and with all the fascinating distractions in this part of the world am finding it difficult to stay focused.

 

Peace,

Fred L Bellomy

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Description of the several instruments on display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed most of my time in the area.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  My first day in the Halong Plaza Hotel arrived after a meager and mediocre breakfast at the Grand Halong Hotel. So, by lunch time I welcomed a real meal. Soup and salad here is much more than a snack. The rolls fresh from the oven could have been the entire meal! The vegetable soup satisfied like a substantial roast beef sandwich! And, the Chef's Salad revealed a quirky side of the hotel's chief cook.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Part of the musical instrument ensemble on display in the lobby of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: View of the park like landscaping along the bay front walkway as seen from the tenth floor of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Another view of the park like landscaping along the bay front walkway as seen from the tenth floor of the Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Another shot of the War memorial located in the shadows of an impressive Karst geological outcropping near the water.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  One of the luxury Syrena Cruise boats operated by the Halong Plaza Hotel, here sitting ready to take on her next contingent of guests for a one or two night tour of the sights around Halong Bay. I briefly considered taking an overnight cruise, but even with a specially arranged discount the fare still would be $180 for a single. This is a truly deluxe way to see the sights on Halong Bay!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  A few of the Karst cruise boats waiting for the next batch of tourists.
 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Interesting sculpture sitting on the lawn in front of the Saigon Halong Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks foliage like this flashed bright green as it moved in the wind, catching my eye and encouraging me to capture the action photographically.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks foliage like this flashed bright green as it moved in the wind, catching my eye and encouraging me to capture the action photographically. On closer inspection I noticed all the new growth budding along this stem and added it to my curious observations. Mother Nature is a great artist!


Halong Bay Vietnam: Rice fields along the road from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay surround what appears to be a fish farm.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Around the corner from the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed I found this street side medical practice and the "doctor" removing wax from his patient's ears. Notice the "miner's lamp" for illuminating the working area. Later I learned ear wax removal is just one of the many personal services commonly offered by barbers in Vietnam.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I came upon an alleyway that led into a residential cluster where I spotted that unusual gnarled root "sculpture" on the front porch of this house as seen through a heavy iron gate into the courtyard area.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I came upon an alleyway that led into a residential cluster where I spotted that unusual gnarled root "sculpture" on the front porch and artistic potted plant to the left of this house as seen through a heavy iron gate into the courtyard area.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I ventured down a side street not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel and found this small cluster of fresh seafood vendors, enjoying what appeared to be hilarious gossip along with the marketing activity. Apparently, the Vietnamese are trained at birth to squat because one sees everyone resting in this position!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Some of what the fresh seafood vendors offered for sale; the creatures are so small they look more like bait that fixings for dinner.,

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel starts a series of sculptured landscaping displays like this example.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel starts a series of sculptured landscaping displays like this example.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel starts a series of sculptured landscaping displays like this example.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: At the top of the hill beyond Weed Whacker Way I found a series of abandoned structures like this one. They appear to have been quite elegant when first built as luxury hotels with excellent views of Halong Bay... now sitting empty after construction funds ran out and in decay with the smell of recently cut weeds permeating the air.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: At the top of the hill beyond Weed Whacker Way I found a series of abandoned structures. Looking away from the bay one gets this view of the city.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Bay cruise vessels preparing to leave with their first group of tourists. These are the day cruise boats. Overnight boats generally have two or more decks and are somewhat larger than these boats.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Our boat trip included a tour of a natural cave on one of the islands. This is a sign explaining the history of the Dau Go Cave we visited.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Dozens of boats full of curious tourists meander among the labyrinth of passageways connecting all of the geological formations in the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Fresh produce delivered right to your floating door.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Dozens of boats full of curious tourists meander among the labyrinth of passageways connecting all of the geological formations in the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Dozens of boats full of curious tourists meander among the labyrinth of passageways connecting all of the geological formations in the bay.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Fungus growing on the decaying trunk of a tree in one of the bay side parks.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Map of the bay shore area drive along which most of the better hotels are located.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: These Karst geological formations are what tourists come to see in Halong Bay. Here our boat maneuvers among hundreds of these tiny island like protrusions during our four hour exploration of the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Fellow passenger, Winda Sholes prepares to capture one more memorable shot of the unusual geological formations populating the bay in this part of Vietnam.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Exterior view of the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed during the last part of my visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site region.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking out of the window in my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza hotel toward the bridge connecting the two sides of the bay. During the Typhoon traffic on the bridge dropped to a few fool hardy souls or those with emergency duties... all visible from my high perch.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking out of the window in my tenth floor room in the Halong Plaza hotel toward the bridge connecting the two sides of the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This lovely park sits directly across the street from the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed during the last part of my visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site region.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This monument commemorating the area as one of the new seven wonders of the world sits directly across the street from the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed during the last part of my visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site region.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking out across the bay from the bayside park.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Looking out towards the bridge that spans the bay from the bayside park.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  17 September 2014 Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves vegetation around the hotel in disarray.

 

Halong Bay Vietnam:  This monument commemorating the area as one of the new seven wonders of the world sits directly across the street from the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed during the last part of my visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site region.

 

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Part of the seafood extravaganza included in the weekday $17 dinner buffet which I enjoyed my first evening in the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed during the last part of my visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site region.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This sprouted ginger plant serves as decoration on one of the buffet display tables in the  Halong Plaza Hotel.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This is Phan, food and beverage manager in the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed during the last part of my visit to Halong Bay. I have never seen a more professional operation!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Periodically, Phan and other dining room staff would suggest I try various Vietnamese dishes in the lavish buffet. This is the preparations for Vietnamese Coffee; really just iced coffee made the way local people make it. Sweet and cold, I could see why it might be popular in this hot, humid climate.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Periodically, Phan and other dining room staff would suggest I try various Vietnamese dishes in the lavish buffet. This is the preparations for Vietnamese Coffee; really just iced coffee made the way local people make it; here shown as it is finally served to a diner.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I came upon this alleyway leading into a residential area and ventured in to explore, something I greatly enjoy on these foreign escapades.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  On one of my walks I came upon an alleyway that led into this residential cluster.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  ... and then to this little neighborhood.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Just off the main road running along the bay I found this narrow street with children at play.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:   Rice fields along the road from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Sidewalk pattern along the parks.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel starts a series of sculptured landscaping displays like this example.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  One of the tree illumination LED high intensity lights along the bayside walk. With only about one square inch of light emitting area, these things are very bright.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  This is what the tree illumination LED high intensity lights along the bayside walk look like at night. With only about one square inch of light emitting area, these things are very bright.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Sandbags like these could be seen piled against doors all along the bay shore drive as Typhoon Kalmaegi would make landfall the evening of 16 September.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Notice the pile of sandbags near the building ready for deployment the evening of 16 September, the night Typhoon Kalmaegi was expected to make landfall. I guess someone realized stone lions would not do an adequate job of protecting the place.
 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Around the cruise boat docks where most of the day trip boats congregate.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Around the cruise boat docks where most of the day trip boats congregate.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  These three friendly guys at the table adjacent to ours on the boat insisted on sharing their "very special" ten year old Saki-like national drink of Vietnam. It tasted terrible!

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: This floating doc serves as the starting point for rowboat excursions among the formations where the larger boat cannot go.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Some of the rowboats used for closer looks at the formations.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: My Galaxy Note failed to fully charge during the night before this important bay cruise so I brought along my auxiliary charger to top it up. With only 38% charge remaining in the camera I knew it would take some time so had hooked it up between camera shots. This young man noted my charging equipment (hooked up to my phone) and urgently insisted I allow him to charge his phone. Initially declining his anxious request, later I noted I could probably safely let him use it for enough time to take a few more pictures. When I eventually asked him to return it, his visible disappointment made me wish I'd had a second unit for his use.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Weed Whacker Way. O.K. You had to be there to appreciate this reminder of an olfactory banquet. Think new mowed grass and then amplify the fragrance memory ten fold and you will get an idea of why I took the photo to remember this encounter.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Dozens of boats full of curious tourists meander among the labyrinth of passageways connecting all of the geological formations in the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Around the corner from the Halong Plaza Hotel where I stayed I found this street side barber removing wax from his customer's ears: "want your eyebrows trimmed or ear wax removed with that haircut?"

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: Landscaping features erected by a home owner with a sense of humor... I think...

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: This pillar stood near a cluster of similar structures, apparently part of a now disintegrated outdoor plaza of some sort.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Not far from the Halong Plaza Hotel starts a series of sculptured landscaping displays like this example.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Fungus growing on the decaying trunk of a tree in one of the bay side parks.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Like oranges in California, papayas hang from a tree in someone's front yard near the bay front highway.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Like oranges in California, papayas hang from a tree in someone's front yard near the bay front highway.


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Bananas growing in someone's front yard near the bay front highway.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  Another shot of the endless archipelago of Karst geological formations seen around the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam:  More boats in the fleet of identical vessels used for taking tourists out to and among the fabulous Karst geological formations jutting out of the water in the bay.

 


Halong Bay Vietnam: At the top of the hill beyond Weed Whacker Way I found a series of abandoned structures like this one. They appear to have been quite elegant when first built as luxury hotels with excellent views of Halong Bay... now sitting empty after construction funds ran out and in decay with the smell of recently cut weeds permeating the air.

 

 

 
Reference photo: author
 August 2002
 

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