Ha Long Bay Boat Trip - Day 2

THURSDAY  14  JULY 2011

During the night there was a terrific thunderstorm, with great claps of thunder immediately after the lightning, and it poured with rain. The rain continued the whole of the next day, which was disappointing as Ha Long Bay would definitely look better in the sun. However, it was still beautiful in the grey mist.

We had to be up by 7 a.m. and had a rushed breakfast, as our boat was taking some of those who were only staying for one night back to the port, and we were offloaded onto a smaller and quite uncomfortable boat at 8 a.m. However, the engine wouldn’t start so we went kayaking in the rain around the small floating houses until another boat arrived about 10.30. We then sailed to a Pearl Farm where we saw how oysters are farmed and an oyster was opened in front of us to reveal the pearl inside.

After lunch, we sailed around the islands again and visited the largest floating fishing village in the area, where we kayaked in the rain again.

We met up with our big boat about 4.30 p.m. where there were some new travellers and after dinner, some of us played cards again.