Guest Post - Ang in Ha Long Bay
Halong bay is a magic place. To see the islands from a distance you start to get a sense of it, and it only gets stronger as you get closer. Once you're in among the steep cliffs and lush green growing from them it is even more magnificent.
We arrived on a beautiful day. The rain had stopped, and although it was still cloudy the sun attempted a few peaks through the clouds to warm us.
The meals on the boat were luxurious, four or five or six courses, and every dish was more delicious and elegant than the one before. A few that stood out in my mind were a delicious squid stirfry, a fried fish that tasted slightly coconuty, an amazing stewed fish that was draped in carrot fishnet, and of course, many different syles of prawns. Those of you on my Facebook page can go look at the video of me learning to eat the brains from their heads.
The best, most beautiful and breathtaking moment of Ha Long Bay was kayaking into the hidden lagoon. It placed us right in the magic of the place. We paddled under a very low natural bridge into an area completely surrounded by the tall cliffs of the island. There were cheerful monkeys playing just inside the lagoon so we watched for a minute, but soon Ashley and I paddled off on our own to explore.
When we turned around the corner of an outcrop of the cliff everything went silent and still. We couldn't hear the rest of the group laughing at the monkeys and we were floating in the peaceful twilight of the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life.
After a moment we started to hear the birds and insects and fish all around. Like we were the only people in the world and we had found this place of power, serenity and life. It was humbling and exhilarating and completely, stunningly beautiful. I was in awe of where I was and how blessed I was to be there. As the quiet sounds and signs of life grew around us we began to notice fish jumping, water skippers hopping and we sat quietly, soaking in the wonder. I could have stayed there for hours. I would have loved to have had the time to get out of the kayak and onto the small shore of rocks, but our tour guide had been calling us. We didn't hear him until we were back out from behind the corner, of course. That was part of the wonderful peace and solitude of the experience. It was an absolutely magical place.
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| Fish net made of carrot |
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| Cucumber and pepper lilies |
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| Tomato rose |
When we turned around the corner of an outcrop of the cliff everything went silent and still. We couldn't hear the rest of the group laughing at the monkeys and we were floating in the peaceful twilight of the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life.
After a moment we started to hear the birds and insects and fish all around. Like we were the only people in the world and we had found this place of power, serenity and life. It was humbling and exhilarating and completely, stunningly beautiful. I was in awe of where I was and how blessed I was to be there. As the quiet sounds and signs of life grew around us we began to notice fish jumping, water skippers hopping and we sat quietly, soaking in the wonder. I could have stayed there for hours. I would have loved to have had the time to get out of the kayak and onto the small shore of rocks, but our tour guide had been calling us. We didn't hear him until we were back out from behind the corner, of course. That was part of the wonderful peace and solitude of the experience. It was an absolutely magical place.
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