Halong Bay, one of our destinations for 2012
The cinema surrendered to the magic of its landscape a long time ago with films like 'Indochina' or 'Tomorrow never dies'. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site shortly after and last November it was included in the provisional list of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, drawn up by the Swiss foundation N7W.
For me, coming from noisy and bustling Hanoi, Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin is a haven of serenity and one of the most spectacular scenery I have seen in Asia. Their nearly 2,000 limestone islets jutting out of the emerald green waters like a dragon's teeth are crowned by dense jungle, and almost all of them look like deserts.
In the good season (from March to October, although it rains a lot during the summer months) there are few more romantic experiences that its magical sunsets on the deck of a ship enjoyed with the right company and a glass of wine. Images of Catherine Deneuve's endless nostalgia as the French colonial empire and her life crumble They appear to me between the rocks as we sail.
The bay is located 170 kilometers from Hanoi. This distance can be covered in about three and a half hours by road. Before, most travelers used to go and return on the same day, but lately the accommodation offer has improved considerably, so many choose to sleep a couple of nights in the new luxury boats and thus enjoy the spectacle of seeing the limestone rocks appear in the mist of dawn.
Some boats like the Paradise Explorer or the Princess Junk can be rented privately, with only one or two cabins to enjoy the solo experience. Others, like the Bhaya Cruise, offer 15 cabins with great detail. Or the Emeraude, which recreates the French colonial elegance of the beginning of the last century.
At the other end of the spectrum, some local companies have been the subject of tragic news in the press recently, such as the unfortunate accident that cost the lives of 12 tourists in January 2011 when the boat in which they were sleeping peacefully sank. Laws have since been tightened to ensure higher safety standards, but it is always advisable to stay away from too cheap boat trips.
The multitude of tour operators offering cruises around the bay has also become an inconvenience, especially in the high season and in the most visited points, where noise from karaoke bars from nearby boats can easily ruin the experience . For this reason, it is better to go into the bay and get away from the herd of boats that seem to congregate in the same areas.
In addition to enjoying sailing between the islets and getting caught up in the mystical beauty of the bay, almost all excursions include visits to the surrounding fishing villages and the impressive 'Sung Sot', the largest of the three Halong caves. The erosion of the bay has given rise to strange limestone rock formations inside the grotto that are lit up with colored lights and give the caves a sci-fi vibe.
Tai chi classes at sunrise , bathing in the bay or cooking classes are other activities offered on most cruises, for anyone who gets tired of the pleasure of abandoning themselves to the water.
Do not miss the images of the bay in our gallery.