Halo! Halong is Halong Bay? Halong can I stay?

“To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value,” and “To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.”

I must confess I knew very little about Halong Bay except that it was exceptionally beautiful, and this knowledge came from the movie Indochine. It lived up to all my expectations.

Halong Bay spans a vast area, dotted with thousands of pinnacle-shaped limestone and dolomite outcrops. Legend has it that a majestic descending dragon created this labyrinthine seascape, inspiring awe and fascination for the audience.

Traditionally built Junks still sail the bay; their fan-shaped sails are fashioned from rough cotton, hand-sewn and dip-dyed in vegetable dyes for protection, giving them the distinctive ochre colour.

Floating villages are still seen, including not only houseboats but also floating herb gardens, kennels, livestock pens, and fuel stations.

One is spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing accommodation on a junk for an overnight stay, and we opted for Pelican Halong Bay. Our Junk was moored in a new harbour with a shopping and housing development a reasonable distance from Halong Bay City.   Pelican Tours picked us up at our hotel in Hanoi, and we enjoyed a comfortable 3-hour drive to Halong Bay with a halfway stop to refresh, stretch our legs, and do some shopping.

The friendly captain greeted us on the small wooden craft, which took us out to our junk, which was moored in deeper waters. First impressions last, and in my mind’s eye, I still see the happy faces of the crew waving to us as we neared the boat.

Once settled in our cabin, which was quite striking, with a small balcony and large open French doors that let a cool breeze into our quarters.   We freshened up in a small but comfortable shower room before drifting to the well-appointed dining room for a buffet luncheon while we quietly sailed amongst the amazing outcroppings. I couldn’t wait to get my camera set up as the landscape begs to be photographed.   Later in the afternoon, after all the passengers had relaxed on the top deck or had a nap or pondered, we were taken ashore to explore a tiny beach and hike to the top of the islet.  

We all dressed for dinner and met on the upper deck for cocktails at sunset. The chef came out of hiding, gave us a cookery class, and demonstrated the art of making prawn and pork spring rolls. We then practised our skills and enjoyed the fruits of our labour! I must say we weren’t too shabby at all!

When the captain announced dinner was served, we slowly made our way to the dining room and a scrumptious three-course meal.   As the wine flowed, conversations became more animated and soon passengers were chatting up a storm.  Not to enjoy the cool evening breeze would be a sin; we all returned to the deck to savour the blue night sky, relaxing and enjoying the distant sound of people’s voices on the wind.   The lights from other Junks and boats moored nearby light up the bay, and a colourful reflection on the water quiets one’s soul. This place spells “romance,” and soon couples drifted off to whisper sweet nothings into a beloved’s ear or to count the stars (in her eyes as sadly, Africa’s stolen all the stars), leaving the diehards to try their luck at squid fishing with the crew. I didn’t stay and wonder who got lucky.

Just after sunrise, we weighed anchor and set sail for Hang Bo Nau, a photographer’s paradise, especially when the bay is dotted with a few boats, creating perfect scenic shots.

We also had the opportunity to go kayaking, which our group took full advantage of. The silence, peaceful tranquillity, and stunning scenery evoke awe and inspire a sense of adventure in the audience.

We also had an opportunity to do some kayaking, which our lot did with gusto. The silence, peaceful tranquillity, and beauty are awe-inspiring. Once we’d returned to our boat, we enjoyed a “Continental” breakfast, although it was more than that. It was time to pack and get ready to return to the harbour. We spent time on the upper deck, enjoyed a Vietnamese beer, and then had a leisurely lunch before returning to the harbour and then the trek back to Hanoi.

I can confidently recommend a stay on one of the “Pelican” Junks. We were treated like honoured guests; the staff is all highly qualified, friendly, helpful, and so enthusiastic and proud of their country and, more importantly, of Halong Bay. We enjoyed the company of the other passengers and said a very sad farewell to everyone, waving until they were mere specks on the horizon. We were particularly fond of our guide, a delightful young girl who lives and works with such passion and joy. If we’d stayed another night, I would’ve indulged in a Spa treatment, and I’m sure things would’ve slowed down, too, but unfortunately, the rest of this magnificent country awaited—another 10/10 for Vietnam.

Finally, safety was always a priority, with crew and passengers wearing life jackets unless on the vessel. This reassurance helps the audience feel secure and confident about visiting.

PELICAN HALONG CRUISES:

Address : Tuan Chau Marina, Tuan Chau Island, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
Phone : +84 (0) 915 056 461/
Official Website: https://www.luxuryhotelsguides.com
Email : [email protected]

ref: www.tripadvisor.com