I snapped this photo directly outside our hotel in the centre of Hanoi this morning. Amazing.

We stopped at a pearl farm on the way to Halong Bay, and guess what I left in the loo again? Luckily Maree was the next one in and recognised Wanda hanging from the door.

I’ve decided to name her Wanda, because on this trip, she’s always wandering about…

We were given a quick tutorial about how they make the oysters produce pearls, how the pearls are graded and also how they grind down inferior pearls to make into face cream.

”Tomorrow is my birthday and I am 103!” said the fresh – faced girl doing the tour.

It may surprise you to know that I resisted buying anything in the shop. Yes, even this very fetching tiara.

The boat wasn’t ready for us when we arrived, so Robin dropped us off at an open-air market for an hour. It was interesting, especially on the lower level where the food and flowers were. It was full of colour and movement.

You had to keep your wits about you!

I didn’t see it, but John and Maree were walking around here a bit later on and saw a skinned dog carcass, ready to be bought.

They certainly love their flowers here.

After a while we emerged and walked around the streets nearby.

These stalls were fishmongers.

Most of the stalls had these bowls, with air being pumped in to try and keep the fish, snail, octopuses and shellfish alive. Poor little things.

Then a few minutes later we were horrified to see this woman descaling a fish while it was still alive……

I guess there are no animal rights in Vietnam yet.

Pearl farms are all over the place here. Many were damaged 6 months ago when the huge typhoon raged through. It was the biggest typhoon in 60 years. It bankrupted many people, because few people here buy insurance. These buildings are also empty after the typhoon. It must’ve been dreadful.

We had rose petals thrown on us as we boarded the boat. It was a replica of one of the steam boats that the French used when they were here.

My room was gorgeous. Then the ship lurched and we were off!

The legend of Halong Bay is that long ago, in the time before humans, a mother dragon and her babies decided to fly away and settle where there were no wars.

And if you fly here by helicopter, you look down and there is the one very big island and the other 1960 small islands so we’ll be sailing around the mother and the babies. 

We are only here for one night, but I’m calling it now. It would be amazing to have 3 or 4 nights here, just gently cruising around. Even with the overcast weather we have, this place is spectacular.

Soon after lunch, we had the chance to go to one of the islands and climb to the top. Of course, I leaped into the boat and we were off!

However, when the boat got closer to the island, I started to have second thoughts. Look at how high that pagoda at the top is! It’s almost at a 90 degree angle! I wasn’t sure I could do this…

But then again, I wasn’t sure if I could do the Rim Walk at Kings Canyon or make it to the summit of Kosciusko, but I did them both. So I stopped doubting myself and set off.

Yes, it was steep. But there were so many people ahead of me that there were lots of pauses, so that made it easier. And before I knew it… well, almost…

… I was at the top.

Just to prove it!

Then, of course, we had to walk down again.

People on this tour have suggested that Wanda should be included in more photos, so here we are on our way back to the boat.

Our next excursion was to another pearl farm, but I chose to stay on the boat. I resisted temptation at a pearl farm once today… I didn’t need to push my luck anymore!

People were saying that this place must to incredibly beautiful with sunshine and blue skies, and they’re probably right.
However, I just love my misty, mysterious looking glimpse of Halong Bay.

In a surprising move, I haven’t drunk any alcohol on this trip. Until now. Two for one during happy hour was too good a deal to pass up.

After dinner, the Aussies took over the dance floor on the top deck.

Nadine was able to synch her Spotify to the speaker and we let loose.

It was such a fun night.

Dad joke of the day:

Who wrote the book ‘Fifty metres to the toilet?’

Willy Makett.