Sin Jiaow!

Well I've finally made an effort to learn a little bit of Vietnamese like Hello = Sin Jiaow! Its a difficulty language to learn just like Chinese since the language is based on tones as well. So one word said in different tones can mean totally different things.

Since my last post, I wanted to make a note of how interesting people are that you meet on your travels---their work experience, life philosophy, traveling tips, etc. seriously is mind opening and I wish I could write a book or do a documentary on that alone (as well as one on the place visited!). I've already met so many great and interesting folks one week into my travels here in Vietnam.

For example, hopping onto my Ha Long bay tour van, I meet Mitch from Canada. A "baby" in my eyes at 20 years old. His tall statue, clear voice and enthusiasm for life is fun to converse with. At his age, he's already lived in Australia for 7 months, and traveled all over SE Asia with China next. What does he do for a living? Well he trades stock at night online with the Canadian stock exchange and that helps him pay for his travels. Wow! Then there's Johanna from New Zealand, who speaks fluent Japanese and Spanish. She is my roommate for the night on the junk boat at Ha Long bay. Her stories keep me up all night as she has been traveling for 1 year now and plans to do 6 more months. 3 months in Brazil, 3 months in India, 3 months all through central and south america...and more.. Johanna is an expert solo female backpacker who is willing to share useful tips like sleeping with pillows under your feet if you have sore legs so the blood keeps circulation flowing to the heart!!!! And there's so many more.....

Anyway, back to Ha Long bay and at the harbor, its madness with people in their groups getting on their individual boats. I can't even imagine what it's like during the busy tourist season (Nov-Jan). We are greeted at the harbor with some fog but the 2000 plus islands on the bay are even more captivating as we cruise closer and closer to them.

We visit a giant caver near the bay, which for me unfortunately appeared a little too fun park themed with the dolphin and penguin trash cans...but anyway, we then got to kayak around the island. Our group was about 18 people with 4 french families with young adult children and a group of misc. folks that I was grouped in.

I was so impressed with the junk boat but I guess I was lucky I got on a deluxe tour when I only paid for the basic. Let's just say the rain shower was wonderful, the food really good too! We tried to fish for squid at night off the boat without any luck and was then entertained with a new game called "chicken" by our very funny guide. A game I definitely plan to bring back home with me and possibly play with beverages at hand if you know what I mean:)!

The next morning, most of the group headed back to halong city while 4 of us stayed on and headed to Cat Cat Island for the night. We stopped and hiked to the lookout at 225 meters in height. It provided spectacular 360 degree views of the national park and surrounding area/islands.

On the main part of Cat Cat Island, we get to relax the rest of the afternoon. I plan to walk the little water front esplanade and relax. It appears that a major resort is getting built on the waterfront which must be a double edged sword with the tourism job opportunities vs. destruction of beauty?

We have been fortunate to have very pleasant temperatures and weather these last two days.

Back to Hanoi tomorrow at 5pm as I get on an overnight bus down the coast to Hue at 6:30pm.