–October 25,

Today we had no plans, except to “chill”. We had Javas in our room, then went down for our breakfast around 0830. We both had the “pancake” with pineapple, and watermelon.I had a ginger tea, Jeff had lemon juice. I preferred the mango over the pineapple. After we finished, we went back up to our room and I blogged about our amazing tour the day before. It took me awhile.

Finally finished! We went out for lunch… starving! We chose Yummy 2! 🤣- I love the name. It has great reviews. We ordered a lot – too much, but since food is so cheap you forget how big the portions can be – Curried Pumpkin Soup with coconut cream; Banana Flower salad; Pad Thai with shrimp; and Pan fried Fish Fillet in Butter & Lemon Sauce with Carrots, Garlic, Onions and scoop of rice. (After we sampled the salad, we saved it and took it back to our place.) The food was good – Pad Thai was okay, Fish was good, Banana flower Salad was great, and Pumpkin Soup was excellent! Jeff had two beers and I had a Mojito.

Finished we went to Happy Feet 189. 🤣- love this name, too. Jeff had a back, shoulders, and neck massage of 30 minutes. I had a pedicure – this cost us 140K, but Jeff gave 300K! Jeff said he may like the Vietnamese massages better – less manipulating. We may come back here. As we left, six people came in for two hour massages each!! They were down grading to 90 minutes when we left. We walked back to our place. I finished publishing the blog and Jeff went out, renting a motor scooter. Then we had our salad for supper and walked around the lake. Bed by 2130.

—October 26,

We awoke and went down for early breakfast, like 0720. It was packed! Every table full, but one couple was done and moved for us! Most everyone staying here seems to be French. We each had bread (hoagie size, but better because crispy), omelet, happy cow cheese, and New Zealand butter; with Jeff having watermelon and me a banana (which we decided to take with us.) After we ate, we went back to our room: lotioned up; gathered our stuff; and took off on the scooter.

We were heading to Cat Ba National Park. Our scooter is a semi-automatic, 125cc, and black colored. It handles the road alright, but it rattles. Jeff said its an older model of a Honda – which is the distributor here in SE Asia. It has a pretty distinct rattling noice, I'm gonna call it 'Clink'. Anyway, we travel the main – only big road – north into the National Park of Cat Ba. We arrive at the parking and entrance at 0830. The entrance fee of the national park was 120K Dong each ($4.73 each), and parking fee for Clink is 5,000 Dong (20 cents).

Now we hiked up – mostly – steps of concrete. I definitely am not getting enough cardio! Jeff said the same. There are so many dancing, butterflies as we climb – it helps to distract us. But the views over the Karst land topography… so worth it. We arrived at a two story view and stop briefly, but a group of three Asians were playing loud country music here, so we didn't stay long. We continued on… to the top. Wow! Here we relaxed, had our banana and enjoyed nature – by ourselves for a bit. It was special. Refreshed we start the descent. We were glad the weather was coolish and mostly shaded from trees along the way. These trees, Kim Giao, are actually protected, as they are rare. By a placard, “according to legend… the tree had the miraculous power of detecting poison. Since then it has been traditional to make chopsticks from this wood.” Then we climbed the loop back down and stopped for a big bottle of water and a tea – 30K Dong ($1.18). Then on to Clink.

Our ticket included the Trung Trang Cave, so we went there next. Because this part of Vietnam has so much limestone, the caves are great here – Vietnam has some of the largest caves in the world. We presented our ticket and did the ascent of formed cement steps up to the cave. It is actually a number of stories up. We make into the cave and once again are awed. Considering how much manmade paths have been added inside; how vast the amount of lighting run in; and as many people have been in here – there is still wonderment. A drapery-type formation here, a candelabra there and many stalactites and stalagmites… incredible! We had to really bend through some places… three foot openings. The cave is warm and humid, surprising to us! Now we leave the cave – it was a walk through and we have to walk back on the road to Clink.

We load up and go on north to a small village, we saw and turned around to go back to 'Restaurant' (according to their sign) for lunch. We had beef pho and chicken fried rice with 2 iced fresh- made lemonades for 170K Dong ($6.70). Hit the spot. We love Pho and Vietnamese food in general.

At 1230, we arrive at the ferry. Jeff had noticed the ferry on Google maps and checked where it went. A You tuber said it is a cheap cruise through Ha Long Bay. It cost us and Clink 140K Dong ($5.52) to go to Ha Long town. Wow! It is as great as I remembered. I know now I enjoy these Karst mountains better in the water than on land. Spectacular! Jeff bought a beer and some popcorn for 50,000 Dong ($1.97) on board, we enjoyed them as we took in the scenes! Arrived at 1420 into Ha Long town. It is on mainland Vietnam and is bigger than Cat Ba. We did not have anytime to explore, though. We awaited at the harbor to do the return ferry at 1500. Both of us and the scooter was 140K Dong again. Jeff did get gas here – 50,000 Dong worth ($1.97). We also bought another water for 25,000 (99 cents). We saw a seaplane go out and return (we could not see it take off or land though). But that was cool!

We reboard the ferry at 1500 and cruise back through the same part of Ha Long Bay to Cat Ba Island. At least one other guy on a scooter was doing the same thing. On the ferry, going back through Ha Long – it is great to see the long shadows as late afternoon approaches. Anyway, we landed – too soon – and motor on Clink back. One spot we had issues, as they were tarring the road. They were doing both sides and not stopping us. Mistake! Poor Clink is messy!! The — I know nothing, I see – nothing — well, it is very appropriate now.

We arrive back in town and went to the convenience store we had been before and got some stuff for a snack dinner. We then got back to our place… and our credit card w.a.s. compromised! Really!?? We started the fraud stuff and will have to get another one…. same story, second verse. We ate the snack of cheese corn nuts we had just bought.

I blogged and Jeff read. Bed by 2200. Great day overall.