October 23,

Jeff awake at 0600, me at 0700. Jeff went out to the Viet Post Office to mail our voting ballets (Yeah) and get yogurt. when he returned we had our Javas and our breakfast of those yogurts, cheese, and rice crackers.

Today we leave Hanoi – another transition day, so we packed up our stuff. Then we showered and were ready to go by 1000. Our minibus pickup was 1010 to 1020. It arrived at 1025. We loaded – no one else on board – we were first. The bus only went around the corner, and then two hundred feet… maybe? We picked up two guys. the bus repeated this – stopping two more times and adding passengers. At 1045 the bus stopped again, but this time everyone unloaded. We all loaded up on a big bus – each given a goodie bag with crisps and water, a wet wipe, and a lanyard (for the ferry, Jeff thinks 🤔). Now we waited as more minibuses brought more people. The bus got pretty much full and we took off at 1112.

The bus pulled over for a pit stop at 1210. It was supposed to be ten minutes. We bought a sausage and ate our snack out of the goodie bag, which actually was a sweet butter bun (not a crisp) with the brand name Happy. I don't know that it made me happy, but it was surprisingly good. We didn't pull out till 1227, so 17 minute break.

The bus ride was unremarkable. We did notice some tree damage, maybe 30-40% of the trees along the highway only. Repercussions of the typhoon??? We wondered. It is only along the highway, but these are the tall trees, except the palm trees which seem fine… I have questions❓  It seems built up, most all along the highway. As we get closer to the coast, more of those trees are damaged (90%?) and there is other signs of damage – roof damage, a few lines down. So it must be from the recent typhoon. We also notice lots of water ponds or a big estuary?  if not an estuary, maybe reclaimed land??  Yep, it's reclaimed land further on we saw the barges spitting out slurries of sand & water. There were quite a few barges – big undertaking!

As we get really close to the coast I saw a Sun World sign. What?!? I know I am not in Phu Quoc! Jeff remembered there is another cable car here – It's supposed to have been the tallest cable car tower in the world, when it was made. We arrive at the cable car at 1300. A group of 5-6 passengers got out. Guess they are taking the cable car to the island. Jeff said he did not know it was an option… I was okay not going that way. The bus left and moved the remaining of us to a pier. It was 1315 when we off loaded the bus, collected bags and onloaded a high speed boat. We took off at 1327. At 1334, landed on the island, our home for one week…

            Welcome to Cat Ba!!!

Now we reverse and all get on another bus, then go to the cable car stop over and pick up those same 5-6 people, whatever🙄!! The bus now takes each of us to our hotels. It finally arrives into Cat Ba town (on Cat Ba Island, but the bay is Cat Gia Bay). We are the first ones off in town. We are staying at Bao Phuc Hotel. We check in and were escorted to our room. It is 1445. Our room is on the third floor of a five story hotel. It is a typical hotel room: big bed, but it's softer than some; bathroom with a wet shower; a small desk; a small table with two chairs; an AC; awesome view; and a bar minifridge and a kettle. We do not have a kitchenette, but don't need one – as our breakfast is included (and food being as cheap as it is in Vietnam, we will definitely be on budget). The hotel room only cost us $13/night.

Cat Ba is situated around a small lake on one side and stretches along the Ocean on another side. We are nestled by the lake – which is our view – and a karst-type mountain behind us. Anyway, we first go up on the roof of our hotel. We can see some damage from the typhoon here. The awning of our hotel was damaged – enough that they lost, probably half of it. We also noticed some other roof issues in the surrounding buildings. We went back to our room. Jeff unpacked some as I blogged.

Around 1630, we set out exploring and finding some supper. the temperature is cool and nice. We went along the lake to the end where it kind of meets the ocean…  they are reclaiming land here also, so the ocean is in the further away. The town of Cat Ba is sandwiched by the mountains and the ocean. So to accommodate the tourism here, they have to fill in the ocean in order to build more infrastructure. Too bad, as where we are walking is a lovey promenade what was once along the ocean… in five years it will be different. Anyway, we found a highly rated restaurant – Bong Cat Ba. We had Kimbap, Korean sushi rolls; Vietnamese Beef Stew & Bread; Vietnamese Bacon & Onion Stir-fry with rice. I had a mango smoothie, Jeff a beer. So Yummy!! As we were finishing eating, sunset started. It was glorious – our first good one in awhile. We enjoyed and then went to a convenience/grocery store, X3, to find what we needed. Back to our hotel, we relaxed watched some You tube then went bed by 2130. I like Cat Ba!