Halong Bay

We're just back from a stunning, three day boat trip around Halong Bay: about 3 hours drive east of Hanoi.

It's amazingly beautiful with limestone rocks jutting out of the water for 500 square kilometres. We explored "The Surprising Cave" which wasn't very surprising but pretty nonetheless. It's 3 huge connected caverns with one rock formation lit up to resemble a certain male fertility symbol which the guide thought was hilarious and another which really did look like a huge turtle. Kate patted its head which apparently means we are now blessed with good luck and will have a baby boy...hmmmmmm...

The weather wasn't great and when the sun wasn't shining it was really cold and we huddled together in the boat for warmth. When the sun came out Kate braved the waters for a swim and we went kayaking around a few lagoons.

Dotted around are amazing sea villages where people live on floating platforms and farm fish and try and sell tourists chocolate biscuits at massively inflated prices. When you've been out on the water for two days, an Oreo is worth a fortune!