Started out the day with the whole family doing Tai Chi on the upper deck at 6:15. It was dark outside, but who could pass up such a unique opportunity. Here we are in Halong Bay, Vietnam cruising through a small piece of the 2000 limestone islands practicing an ancient form of exercise. As we finished the sun was rising. It was a spiritual moment. The kind you want to soak up.
Off for a nice, somewhat american breakfast, because there were eggs! A bonus at this point in the trip and a little taste of home.
8:30 we headed out on a smaller boat. They took us up into the islands where the bigger boats can't go. I have read that there is a large amount of garbage in the islands but haven't seen that. I asked the guide about it. He said they are trying to be better about it and it really depends on the tides and currents.
Now connected with a floating platform we get into kayaks. The kids and Andy thought it was so fun to have a water fight on them. Then there is me in the middle of it all yelling for them to stop! Don't get any water in your mouth! Of course, no one listened but continued to have fun. After an hour of kayaking we had a small private beach. We were hot and the water was refreshing. I guess you aren't supposed to swim in it (per the government rules) but our guide let us. Andy and the kids kayaked over to another island and he let the kids swim back from that island to the one I was at. Both kids have been dying to swim and I guess he thought why not swim all the way back. Of course, as the concerned mom that I am, I am stressed about it the entire time. Yelling from the beach, "Keep your mouth closed! Don't go under the water!"
Back on the day boat for lunch. We did not expect much but the courses kept coming and coming. We had a cucumber/tomato salad, french fries, prawns, fried rice, pork skewers, fish and finished off with dragon fruit. A laid back day boat and a six course lunch! I went to the back to watch them cook. They did everything in a giant wok and a homemade half barrel bbq.
The weather is hot, 82 degrees but really humid. They said this is the cool season. It can be up to 20 degrees warmer. All of us are in agreement that we couldn't take it any hotter. As we were cruising back to the main boat I have to continue to remind myself (actually every day of this trip) to soak this up and live in the moment. We have already had so many surreal moments.
Just before dinner started Hudson announced his ear was hurting. I think he may have some swimmers ear. Poped in ibprofen and asked the kitchen to make him an oil/minced garlic mix and rubbed it outside the ear. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
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