Tuesday, March 26th
Our day yesterday in Ha Long bay was an interesting and busy one. We sailed away last night at 11pm and will be at sea today and tomorrow before arriving at Siagon (called Ho Chi Minh City now but will always be Siagon to me) on Thursday morning. We have some swells today so not exactly smooth sailing.
First today, let talk some more about our time in Ha Long. Coal mining is the main employer and industry in that region. A lot of coal is exported to Japan from here. There are also a lot of very small farms. The government lets the people use very small plots of raise rice and vegetables. They call themselves farmers but I would call them gardeners. There is no tractors or farm equipment. If they are lucky they may have a water buffalo or two and rest if done with manual labor. Seems everyone also has a little stand along the road or in town to sell something, anything. In towns the shops are on street level and they live above that. The government lets them build on small pieces of land 12 feet wide at front and 60 feet deep. You will see these very narrow and long homes in photos. This is why they build homes that are two or more stories and extended family member's families also live there. Corruption is rampant according to our guide. He says only wealthy people are police traffic officers, customs officials, and other government officials as they take bribes for people to get out of tickets or allow smuggling stuff into the country. Teachers make $200 in USD per month. Our guide used to be a teacher but now makes more as tour guide. A lot of Chinese come here as tourists since the Chinese border is only 100 miles away. As I mentioned US and Japanese companies are now starting to invest in this area. I'm sure they have to bribe the government to let them in.
Taken as we sailed into Ha Long Bay
Small boat
Coal boat
One of the 1969 limestone islands (monoliths) in Ha Long Bay
Tourist boat that takes 2 or more day trips around the bay.
Coal Boat
Navigation light on one of the islands
A floating house
Bridge the ship passed under
Name of our morning tour
Pictures of our tour bus
House along road
Street in Ha Long City
Typical use of motor bike--hauling stuff
This is kind of boat we were about to board for tour.
Inside of our tour boat
Upper deck of tour boat
They were selling local fresh water pearls and other souvenirs onboard. Rebecca bought these and earrings for $30. Allison also bought some.
Family coming out to try and sell us fruit. I did not buy but gave them some money.
More photos of the many islands
Tour boat that you could take 2 or more days tour and live aboard.
These islands were formed from erosion of water and wind over hundreds of millions of years.
Cruising past a "floating city". About 200 people live on some 40 floating homes.
Unfortunately, it was a hazy day for taking photos
One of the floating homes
They called this "duck rock"
Old style boat with sails. Now all are motorized.
A tour boat stopping to see floating house. We did not.
Fishing nets used at night. They are lowered in the water then bright light is illuminated to attract the fish. then the net is raised and fish collected.
Another large fish net
Galley on our boat. He was cooking lunch for crew of 4.
Boat was very comfortable and clean
Bike is loaded down!
Our 5 hour tour in afternoon. Most photos taken through bus window.
Stands lined the road we traveled
Rail road tracks leading to Hanoi very close to homes.
Pineapple stands lined one section of the road.
Two houses next to each other. Front is 12 feet and is 60 feet deep.
Coal powered power plant
Water buffalo in back of rice paddy.
Construction site. Note above ground wires.
Vegetables
Yen Tu Monastery
Water pumped under granite ball made it rotate.
One of the Buddhas here
Smaller dining room for the monks
Smiling Buddha
Our guide
Vietnamese beer--actually not that bad
Two water buffaloes along road
These women were making concrete bricks
Woman pulling weeds out of rice paddy
Vegetable garden of a home
Very small house
Guy in white shirt was owner of farm house we got to visit.
Owner on left
lime tree
Way from alley to front of his home
Front entry to house
Bathroom was on side. He built this new one when tour company started paying him to let tourists see his house.
One bed in bedroom
Another bed on other side of house
Dining room. Kitchen out back
This pig lived on other side of bedroom wall.
View of house from alley
rice paddy
vegetables
They were widening the road that lead from Ha Long City to Hanoi. It was a dusty mess. About everyone wore masks due to dust.
Back on our ship they were preparing pool deck for "dinner under the stars" that night. We do not eat outside as prefer air conditioning.
Our day yesterday in Ha Long bay was an interesting and busy one. We sailed away last night at 11pm and will be at sea today and tomorrow before arriving at Siagon (called Ho Chi Minh City now but will always be Siagon to me) on Thursday morning. We have some swells today so not exactly smooth sailing.
First today, let talk some more about our time in Ha Long. Coal mining is the main employer and industry in that region. A lot of coal is exported to Japan from here. There are also a lot of very small farms. The government lets the people use very small plots of raise rice and vegetables. They call themselves farmers but I would call them gardeners. There is no tractors or farm equipment. If they are lucky they may have a water buffalo or two and rest if done with manual labor. Seems everyone also has a little stand along the road or in town to sell something, anything. In towns the shops are on street level and they live above that. The government lets them build on small pieces of land 12 feet wide at front and 60 feet deep. You will see these very narrow and long homes in photos. This is why they build homes that are two or more stories and extended family member's families also live there. Corruption is rampant according to our guide. He says only wealthy people are police traffic officers, customs officials, and other government officials as they take bribes for people to get out of tickets or allow smuggling stuff into the country. Teachers make $200 in USD per month. Our guide used to be a teacher but now makes more as tour guide. A lot of Chinese come here as tourists since the Chinese border is only 100 miles away. As I mentioned US and Japanese companies are now starting to invest in this area. I'm sure they have to bribe the government to let them in.
They set up a huge buffet and grill meats
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