When we were in Spain planning our trip to Asia, there were places that were essential for us: Bagan, Angkor and of course: Halong Bay. We had read a lot about this site, seen photos, and imagined what it would be like to navigate its waters ... but WOW! There is no idea, word or photo that can describe the beauty of this place!
And yes, it is possible to visit the Halong Bay how backpackers!
But we go in parts: in Hanoi we were going around a lot of agencies, and every time we left one we had the least clear ideas: how can there be so many ships, routes and above all so different prices ?! In the end we decided on a cruise that seemed cheap without being shabby (the cheap thing is relative, because it is already known that Halong Bay is expensive a priori)
Always, as long as we book a tour, or bus that includes pick-up, it arrives 15-20-30 minutes late (even in Cambodia it arrived an hour later!), But Murphy's law wanted the day that we were going to Halong Bay, the pick-up arrived with 10 minutes in advance ... just the day we had a hotel with breakfast, so we separated beforehand from our fried eggs without being able to give it a single mouthful and we got into the van that in 2.30h would take us to the port of Halong.
Arrived there and after queuing and buying the entrance to the natural park, we caught a wafer that took us to the ship where we would live pirate life for a few hours. We inspected the cabin that looked Ok, and to eat! Mmm the truth is we can not complain since all the meals were very rich and abundant: fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, eggs, rice that is not missing, noodles ... Chef approved!
The first day of navigation provided for a visit to a cave, an hour of kayaking, and free time. The day passed quickly, and although the bay welcomed us with gray skies and fog, a little sun came out in the afternoon. Casaditos and Cenaditos we put ourselves under the sheets and surrendered to Morpheus, until a somewhat annoying sound woke us up: the cook began to sing, as Karaoke likes these !! Luckily, divine justice sent our ship a punishment in the form of a blackout, and the poor cook had to go to sleep very sadly while everyone else was drawn a smile.
The second day he flew: we had breakfast, we took photos, we lay down contemplating the landscape, we took more photos, we passed through fishermen's villages, where we didn't see a fisherman, we ate and got off the boat to go back home ... yes, with an indelible memory !
What cruise to hire to visit Halong Bay?
We were clear that we would like to spend as little as possible, but we had also read terrible stories (ok, not that bad) of $ 30 cruises that had frogs. In the end we decided to make a cruise with the Dugong Sail junk for 2 days 1 night, deluxe, which we paid $ 57 each. You have to visit Halong Bay if or if it is beautiful: a fabulous landscape with a surreal atmosphere. Our tour for us was great since we just wanted to enjoy the Bay and relax, but if your plan is more adventurous, consult the agency well with the activities.
