Cat Ba Island

After our northern loop it's time to travel to the seaside. So off we go to Cat Ba Island near Halong Bay. There we join Noëmi's mother Ruth and sister Rahel - family time! The two are travelling Vietnam from south to north and Cat Ba is the perfect spot for a get-together.

So what to do on Cat Ba Island in the evening? Right, massage time :-)

The next day we rent some scooters and discover the island.

First stop is an old hospital build into a mountain - very strange!

We go for some nice trekking through the National Park - very nice!

In the evening we find a nice spot to play some billard - good times!

The next day is Noëmi's birthday! We surprise her with some nice flowers and vietnamese cake :-)

Later we go for a nice walk along the beaches and bays of Cat Ba...

Birthday girl...

We celebrate until dawn with some shots out of longdrink glasses :-)

After a recovery-day it's time for a highlight: Halong Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)! The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes.

We organize a private boat...

... and off we go!

A fishfarm - they're all around!

Also there are floating villages in the bays...

And here the famous limestone karsts and isles...

We also have the opportunity to explore some areas by kayak, really cool!

Here are Ruth and Rahel with our captain :-)

And some more kayaking...

We find this very lovely beach...

 

After 5 days on Cat Ba Island we already have to say goodbye to Ruth and Rahel - they continue north and we go south... It was a great time together!!