Halong Bay and Water Puppets

We drove out, June 22 to Halong Bay. On the drive we saw the countryside. The rice was being harvested. They were threshing it and drying it everywhere, front yards and beside the highway. We got Halong Bay and rode a small boat out to our Junk. We had our crew and a couple from Spain on the boat. It was very cute. All wood and like something out of a movie. We had a bit of a mix up with the rooms, but they gave us an extra cabin for Kurt, as they all slept two and the Jansons are three. The kids quickly slipped into pirate mode, and had this great imaginary play all over the boat. The Bay is so beautiful. Just like the pictures. I will try to post some tonight, if I can figure it out. We cruised through the amazing sight and stopped at this huge cave inside one of the karst rock island. With the hike up and the heat and sweat pouring out of my body, I was shaking, so I decided to forgo the next trip off board. the next trip was to Titov Island (named for the Russsian Astronaut). Angie and Maron took the kids so they could swim on the man made beach. The water was a little yucky, but it was so hot, I thought what the heck, Josie needs to cool down. They had a ball! For meals it was seafood galore, eight to ten courses each all seafood. Crab, shrimp, calamari,fish and so on... That night after dinner the guide brought out fishing poles for the kids to try to catch a squid with, the guide did it quick. The kids not so lucky, but happy trying. The night was a bit rough, it was so hot and the air conditioner was moldy smelling and stinky. Josie woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to go back to Hanoi. We woke in the morning and went on a boat ride through a cave into a hidden lagoon. Then it was back to the port and Hanoi. We got to Hanoi and had time bath the sweat off. We all felt like we had been camping for a few days. Then it was out to the Water puppet Show. Water puppets are laquered puppets that have a stage on water that they do their show on. The puppets are attached with bamboo poles under the water. They did about 15 different little shows, like the lion dance, fishermen and hard to catch fish and traditional tales. The kids really loved the show and so did the parents. Afterwards we ate at a great restaurant Indochine. Very Yummy Vietnamese food. Then off to bed in our comfy hotel.