Another early start today for the long bus ride to Halong Bay – a geological oddity of huge limestone islands in the middle of the South China Sea about 100 miles north of Hanoi.
We had a private boat, but much more luxurious than on the previous boat trips. We cruised around the islands for half a day and it was quite spectacular. A lovely day too, not too warm but like an English spring day. The islands were a bit misty (but apparently, they always are). We went into the caves on one of the islands, but of course, caves is the wrong word as you go in at ground level and they just go up and up with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Wish I’d paid more attention in Geography lessons at school It was a lovely relaxing day, before the group’s ‘last supper.’
We went to a very nice French/Vietnames restaurant and had a lovely meal. On the boat trip we had all composed a ‘Song for Chi’ to the tune of Bob Dylan’s Positively 4th Street and he was very embarrassed but pleased.
Also had a very generous collection for his tip and gave him a bottle of whisky. He was very embarrassed but very chuffed. Chi informed us that the group had cycled 463 kms – that was for those who had not ‘cheated’ (my word, not his!) and those who had cycled in the rain on the optional day. Me, I clocked up 399 kms or 240 miles in the seven days that we cycled, so not too bad. Sid, 252 miles. This tour has been exhausting – nothing to do with the cycling, more the socialising but it has been excellent. Much better than we expected and brilliant value. Would certainly do another Exodus tour in the future.
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