The itinerary:
(Deferred from yesterday: You’ll visit Ho Chi Minh’s house where he preferred to live simply, there are splendid reminders of the great man who led the country and the Temple of Literature which was originally built in 1070.)
Departing Hanoi, we travel through rolling fields and small towns to Halong Bay. Here we board a Vietnamese junk and travel on a boat trip through the magical seascape of Halong Bay’s 3,000 limestone islands & outcrops.
Heading to Hạ Long Bay
After breakfast it was up to the room, to grab the overnight bag, as were leave our main luggage at the Hotel. We had an overnight stay on a 'Junk' and were told to 'pack just what you need as the cabins are small'.
It's about 140km from Hanoi to Hạ Long but we had some sights to take in before leaving Hanoi. Morning traffic was busy, cars & vans/utes far outnumbered by scooters and bicycles.
Presidential Palace, Hanoi
The Presidential Palace of Vietnam was built to house the French Governor General of Indochina, now the official residence of the President of Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh was claimed to have refused to live in the grand structure for symbolic reasons, although he still received state guests there; he eventually built a traditional Vietnamese stilt house and carp pond on the grounds.
Presidential Palace, Hanoi - Wikipedia
Hồ Chí Minh's house is now a now preserved as he lived, as a memorial.
Hồ Chí Minh's official car.
Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum
We also visited the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum:
Although Hồ Chí Minh wished for his body to be cremated and his ashes spread to North, Central, and South Vietnam, the body instead is embalmed on view in a mausoleum.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh
It was memorable, and to be honest a bit strange, to respectfully walk through the Mausoleum.
People tending the Mausoleum lawns by hand, which we were told was a great honour. (Photo by Nhan).
The line to enter the mausoleum.
Us on the way in (Photo by Nhan).
A highly significant site (Photo by Nhan). As we left the contrast of modern Vietnam was apparent with the parking area lined by a row of market stalls selling every kind of Hồ Chí Minh souvenir and merchandise you could desire.
Leaving Hanoi
How many cats...
How many cats can you get on a scooter...
I doubt they enjoyed this ride or whatever their fate would be at the destination. Was surprised this photo was requested to be added to the Flickr Group "Cats on Scooters" where all the other photos are far more pleasant.
A precarious load (Photo by Nhan), another for the 'On a scooter?' collection...
That's our 'Junk'?
This was not quite the cramped junk I, most, anticipated. 20 crew for 16 of us!
It was stunning with quality accommodation and a brilliant crew.
Although overcast, and intermittently drizzly, it was still very warm (Photo by Nhan).
This is the 'cramped' cabin!
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Soon after boarding we had lunch...
A lovely meal and first chance to feel underdressed, this time compared to the crew!
Dining as the islands of the bay drift by.
Bas & I (Photo by Nhan).
Kayaking time!
Although still drizzly when we set out it cleared and was actually really nice for kayaking.
Kayaking photos by Nhan.
We paddled through an arch into the hollow centre of an island.
Linda & I trying to keep up with, beyond, Larry and Liz (Photo by Nhan).
Kayak beach landing
We landed and climbed to the top of this island.
Ashore for a climb to the top. This was another chance to feel underdressed as we mixed with more formally attired passengers from other tours!
The view from the top
We boarded our vessel at the wharf you can see, bottom right, our kayaks being towed back to the boat while we hiked.
Evening Cruise
A view from the cabin after a post kayaking shower.
More views, more islands
Tables set for dinner
Dinner photo by Nhan.
As I write in 2023, can't recall what (probably trans-Tasman) beef this was settling! (Photo by Nhan).
We had a traditional musical performance with this instrument but were also invited to try playing ourselves.
