Ha Long Bay
Located in the northeastern part of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations. Although the geologists will have their take on how these islands were formed, there is also an ancient story behind these amazing rock formations.
Descending Dragons
According to local legend, when Vietnam had just started to develop into a country, they had to fight against invaders. To assist the Vietnamese in defending their country, the gods sent a family of dragons as protectors. This family of dragons began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form a great wall against the invaders. These rock formations appeared ahead of the invaders' ships. The forward ships struck the rocks and each other and the fleet was lost. After winning the battle, the dragons wanted to live peacefully on the Earth, and they decided to live in this bay. The place where the mother dragon descended was named Ha Long.
When you arrive at the port where the cruise ships depart for Ha Long Bay, you quickly realize that there are a fairly large number of similar boats heading out to the bay. Most bookings are for a one, two or three day cruises of Ha Long Bay. They all seem to head out at the same time in the same direction and to the same location - actually they were. Cruising in Ha Long Bay is not like a cruise in the ocean where you get that sense of being out there all alone. In Ha Long Bay, you have lots of company.
The bay was not only busy with cruise ships but also with Vietnamese entrepreneurs. Ladies were busy working the sides of the cruise ships selling snacks, beer, and wine to passengers - all for a better price than what was available on the ship.
Ti Top Island
It is a must to climb the 420 steps up to the viewpoint on Ti Top Island. Wow, this is the view you have been waiting for. If you are there at sunset, all the better.
After breakfast, we turned our boat around and headed back to port. We had signed up for a one night cruise, and I think that was enough. I’m not being negative about this experience because it does have a spot on a SE Asia itinerary.
Descending Dragons
Looking at the night sky amongst all the Jewels and Jade rock formations of the Descending Dragons - was pretty cool.
