Calm waters,
fair winds and warming temperatures soothed our way south towards our
Vietnamese ports of call. There is much to do on “sea days” none the least for
me is to work, well, present my lecture. The topic “Vietnam, South East Asia’s
Garden of Earthly Delights” was exceptionally well received by an audience
close to 100. Of note, Loretta Switt (Hot Lips Hoolihan) of MASH fame was in
the audience and even came up after to chat. The “I saw Ken” buttons were a big
hit and are seen all over the ship, causing quite the stir. Mind you the
fluorescent, bright green colour may have something to do with that.
Today, being
Thursday, Deborah and I are off on separate shore excursions simply as there is
so much to see. I am sailing in the harbour on an actual red sailed junk
through the abrupt rocks dotting the region and Deborah is off to a Buddhist
temple and the local environs with hopes of seeing how the locals live.
From the
deck this morning, as dawn lifts the dense fog, there seems to be some truth to
the legend that a dragon thrashed his huge tail and formed the thousands of
islands in the bay. Pointed, jagged and appearing not to belong here, the
overall impression is just left of magical.
Halong Bay
is dotted with over 2,000 limestone “mountains” jutting out of the sea in as
noble and statuesque form as anything that I have ever seen. Clustered in amongst
these monoliths are fishing villages of a sort. These people live on their
floating houses supporting themselves by retailing seafood that they purchase
from the local fishermen. Apparently the sea is rich with all manner of sea
life that keeps these people actively employed.
The caves of
Halong Bay are a UNESCO heritage site and with little wonder. Enormous
limestone caverns found by local fishermen seeking refuge from storms only in
the late 90’s.
Breathtakingly
beautiful, full of magic and superstition, these watery habitats are home to
thousands of Vietnamese who have lived here since the original dragon and her
child came from the heavens. To this day you can see proof that the dragons are
still here guarding this precious area of the globe.
