Ha Long Bay Cruise

Our trip to Ha Long Bay starts in some style, as we are transferred from our Hanoi hotel in an elegant coach with surprisingly comfortable seats. As we leave the smog of the country's capital behind, the weather also appears to drastically improve, with the sun coming out just as we approach the bay. Our accommodation for the next 22 hours or so is the Victory Star, one of many cruise boats that offer scenic voyages around Ha Long Bay.

A tender takes us from the port to the main boat, where we are delighted to discover we have received an upgrade to one of the better cabins!

Lunch is served as the journey gets under way, and although seafood unsurprisingly fills the set menu, we are given a mixture of chicken and pork dishes as substitute.

Up on deck, we take in the views of some of the almost 2,000 karst islets that pepper the bay. None of the cruise boats go very far out, and they all tend to take similar routes, so in some spots the waters seem a little cluttered, but the scenery is still spectacular.

Another bonus for us is that the boat is only about half-full, and we are below the median age of passengers, so the trip is calm and peaceful! Nonetheless, the crew are eager to keep us busy, and begin the various 'activities' in the mid afternoon. First stop is a large cave set into one of the islands. It involves a lot of steps, and shuffling behind the person in front, but rewards with some nice views.

Back on the Victory Star, we decide to skip the next excursion to enjoy some wine on the balcony. Bottle prices on the boat are extortionate, but luckily a floating merchant is on hand to help quench our thirst!

As darkness descends, we sit on the top deck to catch the sunset and enjoy a pre dinner cocktail, skipping the 'make your own spring roll' activity. After dinner, there is a largely unsuccessful squid fishing session off the back of the boat, and with breakfast timed for 6.30 in the morning, we decide to take an early night.

In the morning, the sun rises as we are passing close to some of the islands, in what is probably the most scenic part of the voyage.

There is time for one more activity, an excursion to a cove which is partially inhabited by a family of monkeys.

Before reaching port, there is still time for some non-seafood brunch, but then it's back to the mainland to spend the weekend relaxing in the Bai Chay area of Ha Long city.