Home » Vietnam » Halong Scam and wasting time in Hanoi

As we left it last time Emmet was off to Sapa and me and Phil booked an extra long trip to Halong Bay so we're loaded into our van, over and hour and half late and shipped off to Halong town to catch our Junk boat where we'll stay for a night and then on to Cat Ba Island for 2 nights. All seems to be going well until we make a stop half way there. I'm waiting for the Silk merchants to come out but no.....is it going to be a Diamond factory, no.......its another handicapped handicrafts. I know these people make special things but what use is a bus load of backpackers going to have for toothpick and business card holders. OK they do make tequilla!! We arrive in Halong at the port with a little shopping to do before getting on the boat - 1 bottle of Rum, 1 bottle of whiskey, and a bottle of coke to water it down!! We're joined by a french couple called Sophie and Yen, really nice people and a great laugh.

Halong Scam and wasting time in Hanoi

Gareth Penpraze
2007-04-20 23:10:44

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hotel the first night so we get off the boat, on the bus and taken to a hotel.

It is far from what we were sold, OK we have a balcony but the place is a shitheap compared to where we were told we would be!! Sacmmers score again!! Once we check in the giude whizzes up on his motorbike and shouts at us, "why you not on boat, you stay on boat tonight!!" If the idiot had only made up his mind 20 minutes before all would be OK!! Anyway, me, Phil, Sophie and Yen check out the local club and as its saturday night things should be pumping!! There must be a max of 50 people when we go in and some of the dancing makes me look like John Travolta. One beer down and its time to make like a banana and split.

Next morning we're awake for 7 for breakfast (its starting to feel like a concentration camp where we are told when to eat, sleep, get on and off buses). The itenary is a trek in the national park, and some Kayaking round the small islands. The first one is delivered but we later realise it may not have been the national park but the afternoon is class. A little freedom to paddle where we want - well let Phil paddle cos I'm too lazy and he's far too much energy. We find a tiny beach and chill out for a bit before going back to the boat. We move on to the Junk boat for our nights stay and we're put on with 3 dutch guys (one or two I'm sure is on the run still from the Vietnamese authorities), Hi Roger, Henrik and Willem if your reading this far - don't worry I've still got the photos of the kids to send you!! We have a few beers on board and then retire to the top deck for whiskey and rum. Phil decides that climbing the mast is a great idea but ends up splitting his toe open!!

Phil and I are banished from the boat the next morning to spend another night at Hotel Paridiso on Cat Ba island, not to forget the dutch guys for attempting to abduct the captains son, he didn't have a cat. We have the day to do what we want, finally, so we hire a motorbike and disappear off to explore the island. We are stopped by a local man holding his kid, waving a piece of paper and muttering something we don't understand. Eventually we realize he is inviting us in for a cup of tea. So we have a cuppa with him and trying to piece together the little Vietnamese we have learned. After 15 mins of broken silences and almost busting for a pee after a half gallon of tea, we're ushered up the road by his daughter to an actual war veteran. It seems we stumpled upon a hospital cave where the military hid out. So we go into the cave to explore. We're shown the waiting room and suddenly the guide breaks out into song - "Viet nam, Ho Chi Minh, Viet nam, Ho Chi Minh" He continues for a good few minutes until he's satisfied me and Phil have contributed sufficiently in his song! Anyway on in the cave is 3 levels, a swimming pool for generals and a cinema. At the end the we suspect the sting......and yes we're asked for money not just by the guide, but by the guy who made us tea and because he looked after our bike and sent his daughter into the cave with us. Wouldn't have been safe if Roger was with us though!! Sorry Roger.......

Next day we're back to Hanoi to waste a few days. We plan to go see Uncle Ho wrapped up in his tomb but he shuts at 11am each morning and we never make it up in time. We manage to pass the 3 days lazing araound the Bia Hoi's (6p beer shops) and winding up the odd hawker. All in all Vietnam has been really nice place to be if it wasn't for the locals it would be amazing!! Back to the decompression chamber (Bangkok) to meet Jude!!

Gareth Penpraze
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ASBO-Holidays/

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You are constantly talking about what you drink and how much it cost. You are stoned for the greatest part of your trip. Who cares about your alcoholic habits? If you want to inform us about your trips just give up your addiction first please.

ppp, 2008-12-26 11:51:31