DIARY - Friday 15th February 2008 I have been processed. I briefly attained the stature of 'tourist' and came out alive. Now this is a bit of a novelty for me, always usually being as free as the wind, but the only way really to have a look at Halong Bay is to do it on an organised trip. How organised I hadn't realised until 17 of us were told we had 45 minutes to climb a mountain and be back on the beach, 25 minutes to sit in the small boat while we looked at a cave and lunch and dinner would be served promptly. Oh dear!
Had it not been for the sheer enthusiasm of the American contingent I might have been at screaming point. It was however, a delightful experience. Picked up from the hotel, 4 hours on a bus, straight onto the Chinese junk, lunch, cruising around the stunning limestone karsts that are Halong Bay. Sea food dinner, drinking, up for breakfast, more sea food, more cruising, sea food for lunch, back to the jetty 4 more hours on a bus - see what I mean about being processed? Once done never to be repeated. Interesting but only as a diversion to the main goal of following the Ho Chi Minh Trail southwards.
Swapped the Minsk for a scooter - don't laugh, it has two wheels and goes where I point it, south. With any luck I should be in the sun soon. Just one small problem has arisen, my visa runs out 2 days before I fly home and having extended it once that is all I am allowed. Hmmmmmm