Showing 1-7 of 7 results
-
How to make friends in Halong Bay
Blog: See Simi Travel Blog - 13 February 2012
What was originally planned as a picturesque and relaxing boat ride through the limestone cliffs of Halong Bay to escape Hanoi's hustle ended up being a 72-hour, sleepless, raging good time that has claimed at least 5 years of my life that I will never get back.
-
Halong Bay Cruise
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 17 November 2010
A cruise through Halong Bay is certainly the highlight of any visit to northern Vietnam. The phenomenal string of jungle-covered karst islands rivals the surreal beauty of similar landscapes in Thailand, Laos, China and the Philippines. To the south of Halong, stunning Cat Ba Island beckons travelers with limitless possibilities for kayaking, hiking, or lounging [...]
-
Motorbike 101
Blog: The Heather Report - 16 March 2010
There are 5 cars on Cat Ba Island. Maybe more, but so far, I’ve counted five. In addition to these few four-wheeled oddities are a variety of tourist vans and local busses. Traditional taxis? None. Zip. Nada. Some of the roads are too narrow to support a car anyway. So getting around the island happens in two ways: on your feet or on a motorbike. The second you walk out of a guesthouse, restaurant, shop etc. you are immediately preyed upon by the Xeom (motorbike) drivers asking you if you need a lift.
-
Island Life
Blog: The Heather Report - 11 March 2010
Okay, so it's not Hawaii...but I live on an island….in Vietnam. How did that happen? What I know for sure is that I love the simplicity of it all. I live in one room that has a beautiful view of the bay. I have a job I truly enjoy. I'm able to rock climb in some of the most pristine settings on earth. I’m quite sure it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever hung my hat.
-
One more climb
Blog: The Heather Report - 27 December 2009
I love rock climbing. Who knew? I definitely wanted to fit in one more excursion before leaving Cat Ba and we were lucky enough to have one of the owners of Slo Pony Adventures, Onslo Carrington, take just the two of us out on a climbing trip. Slo proved to be a very patient teacher and helped both Betsy and I scale a few difficult climbs!
-
Jungles and Caves
Blog: The Heather Report - 24 December 2009
Cat Ba Island experienced a log of bombing during the Vietnam War (known as the “American War” in Vietnam) due to its proximity to Haiphong, and important port. The interior of the island is full of limestone and karst hills peppered with caves. Showing their resourcefulness, the Vietnamese on Cat Ba built a hospital in one of the caves which could be sealed off during bombings. We hired a motorbike to take us out to the cave and the ride through the island was worth the experience in and of itself!
-
Climbing in Vietnam
Blog: The Heather Report - 18 December 2009
After a little shopping and R&R in Bangkok (including two lovely massages!) we arrived in Hanoi, the northern most city in Vietnam and the start of our tour in this beautiful country. Hanoi is the personification of sensory overload with a fascinating and congested old town area, the heart of shopping and activity in this city of 7 million people with 4 million motorbikes. The bikes are like little bees buzzing through the center of the city, filling up every possible opening and crevice, often utilizing sidewalk as another lane.
Showing 1-7 of 7 results
