I’m off to sail in Greece in just over a week (cue excitement!) and so my thoughts have turned to the last time I spent more than a few hours on a boat. Ha Long Bay in the north of Vietnam is a breath-taking combination of limestone islands and turquoise waters, with caves, temples, and friendly local monkey populations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and I took a boat cruise there during my two weeks in Vietnam in 2010. The misty conditions only added to the stunning vistas, with the limestone karsts rising through the haze as our junk (traditional boat) motored around the Bay.
There is debate about how many boats should be allowed to visit this beautiful area as demand to see it only increases. I hope that it stays protected, as it was an incredible experience to spend a couple of days there. We explored caves, kayaked into “secret” bays, and climbed some of the islands for these amazing views. If you’re visiting Vietnam, find a responsible tour operator and experience it for yourself!
Have you taken any kind of boat cruise? What was it like?
