Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Today is Kay and Ian's anniversary and Hong surprises us with an enormous bouquet. It's a 4 hour bus ride to Halong Bay, but the changing scenery and Hong's commentary keeps us interested. Thankfully there's a "happy room" stop halfway, and a brief shopping opportunity at a factory where disabled people make beautiful ceramics, lacquerware, silk goods etc.
Our luxury junk is just that, with elegant rooms and plenty of seafood included in the copious and delicious meals. We motor around the limestone karsts, then stop for another adventurer. Some choose to kayak, and love the easy paddle, others take what they think is the safer option of a wooden tender. Hmm, they are led onto an even smaller rowboat and rock alarmingly when anyone changes position! All are relieved to return safely to the junk.
Back on board there's happy hour, sping roll making, an amazing buffet dinner then either a French Indochine movie under the stars or an early night. Oh, and the 3 couples on board celebrating special occasions are surprised with beautifully carved watermelon, tho Kay and Ian have had 31 years together, not 40.