A light mist rose off the water enveloping the lower ridges of the limestone outcrops littering the ocean in front of me. The junk boat rocked gently in the water its large sails flapping in the light breeze whilst the sun rose in the distance. Similar boats were anchored in the bay all around me and the smell of breakfast cooking wafted into my cabin. I’d just woken up aboard a junk boat floating in the beautiful rocky expanse of Ha Long Bay off the East cost of Vietnam. All that was missing was Johnny Depp swinging from the rafters of the boat a la Pirates of the Caribbean!

We’d arrived on the three star junk boat the previous day and were pleased to see it was the only one in the harbour with its spectacular sails blowing in the wind. Our day had been spent sailing around the bay taking in the views and contemplating the stillness and peacefulness of our surroundings.

Upon hearing numerous horror stories of people being ripped off on trips to Ha Long bay we decided to pay a little extra opting for a three star cruise. We been picked up and driven to the harbour then transferred to our boat – one of the nicest in the bay. Here our guide had introduced himself and assigned simple but comfortable air-conditioned rooms.

Once we’d settled into our room we made our way back to the dining room for a delicious lunch of about 10 different Vietnamese dishes. We were treated to steamed prawns, noodles, rice, squid, fish, chicken and pork all cooked beautifully in different sauces.

After lunch we began the afternoon clad in bikinis soaking up the sun laid on the sunbeds on the top deck of the boat. As the boat gently cruised through the bay we read, relaxed and drank in the beautiful views.

After about an hour we were dropped off at the Sung Sot (or amazing) cave. This was a large spiraling cave system. Inside huge stalagmites and stalactites hung and grew all around us. Some parts of the cave were prettily lit with pinks, blues and yellows, whilst others were darker looking like a moonscape or a setting from Doctor Who.

Coming out of the caves on a high level offered a fantastic view over the bay and of our boat sailing in to pick us up with its sails billowing in the wind. We reboarded the boat for five minutes then were taken to a place for a spot of afternoon kayaking.

Being three of us one had to share a boat with Tom, our guide. That one was me, a smart move as he was possibly stronger than Kat and Emily put together, meaning I could do less work and spend more time enjoying the surroundings – or so I thought. The Tom helped everyone into their canoes then we set off, but being the guide he had to make up lost ground and get to our destination before everyone else. I soon found myself paddling like crazy overtaking all those gently floating along enjoying the bay – at least I was getting a good work out.

We paddled past the limestone rising high above us out of the water, then rounded a corner where a tunnel through the cliffs could be seen. We headed straight through the tunnel and into a bay called Luon. The bay could only be reached by paddle boat and was incredibly quiet. All around us tall cliffs of limestone rose upwards covered in green shrubbery and undergrowth. The only sounds were the mummer of people talking, the odd splash as someone manoeuvred their canoe and the seccors (I have no idea how to spell this – answers on a postcard) letting off their now familiar wining buzz.

We floated peacefully inside the bay for 15 minutes before it was time for Tom and I to race back to the boat making sure we were the first there so he could help everyone out of their canoes. He tried to make this into a game pretending he was racing Kat and Emily but they would attempt to race us for about three minutes then give up as we paddled off into the distance!

Once everyone was back aboard the boat sailed for 15 minutes before stopping a little way off a crowded beach for swimming. Those brave enough piled onto the second deck of the boat where there was a jumping platform. It was about 10 foot into the water, daunting for most people but Kat, Emily and I just launched ourselves off the deck into the water invitingly cool water. The water was really nice but had an incredibly strong current. It was like swimming on a treadmill, you could swim gently for ages but not make any headway against the current and if you stopped swimming the water carried you quickly away from the boat.

After working up an appetite attempting to swim against the current we showered and went for dinner. Dinner was as good as lunch with lots of yummy food to choose from. Later we sat on deck looking at the stars contemplating the beauty of our surrounding and realising that we go through so much of life not noticing the beautiful things that are right in front of us.

That night I was rocked to sleep by the gentle swaying of the boat in the water.

I had written about day two and three in Ha Long Bay but the computer just crashed and lost it all. So I’m sure you get the impression – it was beautiful if you ever go to Vietnam it is a must on you to do list. From me for now its over and out until the next time.