Halong Bay

This will likely be my last blog for a while as I'm leaving Vietnam tomorrow and don't anticipate having internet access in Thailand. It has been raining all day but I did manage to get some sight-seeing in and I'm so glad that I did. I visited the Ho Chi Minh Masoleum and Museum and these places are quite impressive. I feel like I'm finally hitting my stride here as I didn't get lost once today, I successfully thwarted off several banana ladies (even though I had to practice ninja-like moves to do so because they literally toss them on your shoulder) and I've become accustomed to taking photos with Vietnamese people. I feel like I'm some sort of Ambassador from the West even though I have found that telling people I'm Canadian is just easier.

I was able to take a tour of Halong Bay yesterday which is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It was absolutely amazing! Words really can't describe how beautiful it was. Not to mention that I was able to have transportation to and from the Bay (3 hours each way), a tour on a junk (kind of like a sail boat with a motor), have a fresh seafood lunch, tour an amazing cave and kayak all for $25! I am including a photo I found online for you to get an idea of what it looks like. I really can't believe how cheap it is in Vietnam- I haven't spent over $3/meal and the food is amazing!

Everyone is so nice here but I get the distinct feeling that they reply 'Yes' to whatever you ask... I only realized this when I was asked to get another cab (gently of course) because the driver couldn't understand where I was asking him to go. It would have been funnier if it wasn't pouring down rain at the time.

All that said, I am excited to meet up with Parker in Thailand tomorrow. I am getting a bit lonely even though I have met some amazing people thus far and am really enjoying it here. There is just something very different about sharing the experience with someone else.

Love you!