Halong Bay

From Hanoi we moved on to Cat Ba , which proved to be a long and complicat. journey. It took 5 hours, and involved 3 different buses and 1 ferry. We did eventually make it though, and it was gorgeous as advertised.

Halong Bay is famous for its archipelagos. we did our usual beach lounging. We also visited Cat Ba National Park where we hike to the top of Ngu Lam Peak to take in the beautiful view.

My favorite day there however, and one of my favorite of the trip thus far was our 1 day cruise around Halong Bay. We spent a day on a boat taking in the sights. We had the opportunity to swim, kayak, and snorkel in the ocean. We also had a delicious lunch prepared right on our boat which was cooked by our captain/guide! We enjoyed fish, spring rolls, vegetables, and of course, rice. It was a great day, one that I'll remember for quite some time.

Unfortunately our 1 month in Vietnam was coming to and end, and if we didn't want to overstay our visas it was time to move on. The original plan was to do Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. However since we started in the south of Vietnam and worked our way north, it made more sense geographically, and financially to go to Laos.

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Something for your Amusement

Hey guys! Currently I'm in Cat Ba, an island in Northeast Vietnam. It's been great, easily my favorite part of Vietnam. Since I'm a bit behind on my blog, I'll detail my time here later. The real point of this post is to share the email I received from the hostel we are staying.

Mr. Zoom Backpackers Hostel in Cat Ba

In China there is a term referred to as "Chinglish," for badly translated or just plain nonsensical English. I don't know if there is a Vietnamese equivalent, but I'm going to go ahead and call it
"Vinglish."

Chinglish examples

The funny thing is the Vietnamese speak pretty decent English, and I've had no problems communicating with the owner of our hostel. Anyway, here is the email below....

Dear guests



Special thank for your booking in Mr Zoom backer hostel, the
believable accommodation for western tourist in Cat Ba island.

As your booking, we will save a perfect room for you, clean, tidy,
airy and friendly.

Now in Cat ba island, there are some guest houses put the same name
as: backpacker hostel, Cat Ba hostel, family hostel …ect;

Mr Zoom backpacker hostel has only one adress at Number 25, Nui Ngoc
street, Cat Ba town, Viet Nam, and  a mr Zoom restaurant at Cat Ba
street foot. Up now, we have not opened branches at anywhere else in
the town; don’t miss it, we are opposite main tourist habour, it is
easy to recognize and find; (50 metter from tourist habour; or from
Hoang Long bus station, just keep straight and turn left at fist
coner, up 40 metters then you will find it on the left hand).

The other things, when you arrive in the town, just leave the bus or
hydrofoil after long jouney, there are a group of motorbikes taxi,
porter, seller and hotel’s guide around you, they try to invite you
using their services and try to get your money as they as possible,
let’s watch out of them. Any way, the stranger hotel’s guide will
offer you a dust cheap price room, when you got it, the thing will be
happen, some force you to buy  tours around the bay and the island
with incredible price (so they got big commission at that), if not,
you have to leave the hotel in many reasons as: rooms is booked today,
or the hotel is preparing today……..

At mr zoom backer hostel you will never meet that situation.

So I just want to tell you some thing before you arrive the island, do
some attention to have a good time in Cat Ba island.

Greeting welcome.



Hope you enjoyed. I'm on a bus for 24 hours headed to Laos tomorrow. I'll try and bring my travels up to date in the next few days! :)