Day two: Ha Long Bay

We were up bright and early Wednesday morning and set out for Ha Long Bay, several hours' drive from Hanoi.  More later, but for now I have the following helpful hints about this excursion:

1.  Wear good walking shoes.  On the first afternoon at Ha Long Bay, you will stop at an island in the middle of the bay with something like 400 steep stone steps leading to a pagoda at the top with an amazing view!  On the second morning you will visit an amazing cavern with beautiful rock formations and more steep stone steps.  You will need good footwear for these outings!

2.  Although you will be encouraged to pack light, bring a complete change of clothes if you plan on climbing the 400-step mountain.  I promise, you will get sweaty and it's no fun to have to wear damp clothes all evening and stinky clothes the next day.  (Ladies, you'll probably want to bring a change of undergarments, too!)

3.  Don't worry too much about the baggage weight limits or even the number of bags for the flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap.  The weight limits appear to be like the lines painted on the roads -- suggestions more than hard-and-fast rules!

4.  When you leave Ha Long Bay you will have an opportunity to re-pack your bags if you wish when you stop for lunch between Ha Long Bay and the Hanoi airport for the flight to Siem Reap.  If you leave your carry-on in the baggage compartment under the bus, it will be treated as checked luggage and you won't see it again until you get to Cambodia.  This happened to me, and although it was surprising it wasn't really a problem.  Just know that if you want your carry-on with you on the plane, make sure you have it with you on the bus after lunch.

5.  Ha Long Bay is amazing.  We didn't really know what to expect and weren't all that excited about the overnight on the junk, but it was... amazing!!

This is the life!  The view from the sun deck!