Marshalls Abroad

Asia Life Vietnam

Halong Bay, Vietnam

{our Indochina junk ship ~ the Dragon’s Pearl}

{where we spent the first day ~ Hon Co Island}




It’s far more beautiful and peaceful and romantic than my photos do it justice.
It was the craziest three hour trek to get there from Hanoi but as soon as we set sail on the junk ship we were immediately in quiet and tranquility. We sailed on the other side of Halong Bay in Bai Tu Long which is the remote part of the Gulf of Tonkin more recently opened to junk ships. We saw only a handful of other ships the whole time. It was overcast which somehow made the Bay even more exotic and other-worldly. All of us on board found ourselves talking in hushed tones as we marveled at the nearly 2,000 islands jutting from the emerald water slowly passing by. It really felt like a different world. We ate each meal al fresco with the other couples on board and loved getting to know each of them a bit ~ most of whom were from England and were hilarious. And the crew was just the best.. so warm and hospitable. They served us a 6 course seafood lunch while we sailed to Hon Co Island where we walked up about 100 steps to a massive cave, took in the views, kayaked around the islands and swam. We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking a bottle of wine on the lounge chairs looking out in total awe. The only sounds were birds, an occasional fisherman passing by and soft music from the acoustic guitar one of the crew strummed for us on deck. It was so, so romantic and peaceful.. and just absolutely gorgeous. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

The crew sang traditional Vietnamese songs to us after dinner that night as we all sat outside drinking wine,  thanking us for joining them. It was so lovely.. up until they asked us to join in on a praise song to Ho Chi Minh. Umm, heck no. Cam put it really well when he said that communism seems to be gasping for it’s last breath in Vietnam. Free marketism is slowly making it’s way in, though seemingly still at the rudimentary level.

I’m so excited to show you what the Bay looks like at dawn and the floating fishing village we rowed through… (:


Comments

  1. Jenna says

    Wow, Jurg and I must do this one day – looks amazing! I was in Southern Vietnam for about a week in 2006, but didn't have time to make it up north. Your photos are absolutely stunning 🙂

    xxx
    Jenna

  6. Eloquent English says

    24 hours! That's way too long! I'd bee staying with you for a month if that were me! LOL! That stinks you got sick!!! Glad to hear you are on the mends. Stunning photos as always. 😉 xoxo

  8. Lisa @ honibun@blogspot says

    I thought you would love the almost dramatic atmosphere and I knew your photos would be awesome and girl you do not disappoint.

    Sorry to hear you are feeling sick. Hope you recover soon. God bles.

  9. Ashley says

    Love all the photos and reading about your adventure. Can't wait to see and hear about it more! Also, so glad you're feeling better. Praying you'll be back to normal ASAP. Much love and hugs.

  12. Laura J says

    Oh my goodness, I have to say that I think the bacterial infection might have been worth it? This looks truly like a once in a lifetime gift. Hope you're feeling better!! xo

  13. Emily says

    So, so beautiful! Cannot wait to go there in a couple of months 🙂 If you have hotel recommendations for Hanoi or Ha Long Bay, please let me know!

  14. Dancing Branflake says

    So sorry you were sick! Not good at all. But there photos? I dare say it looks like it was all worth it. PS… you guys are a beautiful couple, but I bet you get that all the time.

  15. laurenjeanallece says

    Oh, hoping you are feeling even better by the time you read this! Getting a bug like that is my biggest fear when traveling.

    On a lighter note though, my word, those photos are spectacular! God really is the most amazing artist!

  16. L!$@ says

    Your photos are amazing and it looks like it was such an awesome trip. Hopefully you're feeling better soon! Getting sick is the worst. Rest up 😀

  17. Cara says

    I LOVE these photos! You have a great eye and it is fun to see pictures of somewhere that most of us will never travel to. Beautiful! It looks like you guys had a great time.

  20. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says

    Oh I think you've done a wonderful job relaying the romantic nature of your trip. I love the shots you get of both you and Cam (always so perfect).
    Sorry that you weren't feeling well, and hope that you will be on the mend quickly especially with company in the house.

  21. Ms. Random says

    Oh la la! Awesome pics, sorry to hear that you guys got sick. Please tell me you had some PHO and Banh Mi sandwiches.

    Have a great weekend XX

  25. Anonymous says

    "ummm heck no" – haaaaaaaa I can HEAR you saying that with that look on your face! Glad you are on the mend – that sounded grrrrrrrrrrrreat… if I've told you once I've told you a thousand times – don't eat trash off the street, Amanda! I love the pic of Cam taking a swig from his wine glass and that he ALMOST has his pinky up. MISS YOU and love that you get to play hostess for the in-laws! I'm sure they'll have an amazing time!

  27. Candice says

    Oh my goodness it looks so serene and beautiful! Sorry to hear that you got sick, but I'm so glad you're feeling better 🙂 It's so much fun keeping up with your travel adventures!
    Sending big hugs your way!
    xoxo

  30. Mo (New on U) says

    This is amazing!

    We are thinking of doing Vietnam for our honeymoon – can you give me more information on the boat you are sailing on? Thanks so much!

  32. Kristina says

    I had such an amazing time traveling Vietnam and Cambodia – Halong Bay was one of the places I loved the most! It is simply so unreal and so beautiful! Also really loved your dawn pictures in the other post, amazing!!
    Hope you feel better now!! In all my travels in South East Asia I luckily only got sick once… but this was enough 🙂 xx

  34. Jenna says

    I just had to let you know that I just booked this exact trip on the Dragon Pearl for our honeymoon after reading about it on your blog! Absolutely and positively can't wait! 🙂

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