CASTAWAY CRUISE, HA LONG BAY
A TERRIBLE START
Later it was back to the island for the booze cruise. Getting on the boat we only made it 50yards out until it stopped. Apparently the anchor rope got caught on the propeller but the skipper continued to press the accelerator making it almost impossible to get off.
IT WAS LIKE EVERYONE WAS BEST MATES, EXCEPT WE ONLY MET YESTERDAY!
The rep went down to try and cut it and failed after 2 attempts. Not enough can be said about Reece and Dylan who braved the freezing water for at least an hour to cut enough of it. You don’t realise how hard a job it is until you get into the water yourself, it was ice cold, and I mean ice cold!
Not to mention the bread knife they were using and the propeller was 2metres underwater covered in cockles making it impossible to put your hand anywhere without getting lacerated.
WHERE IS HA LONG BAY?
THE DAY WAS SAVED
They saved our day. It nearly ruined Dylan’s day as he spent most of the boat trip wrapped in a jacket shivering. I reckon we could’ve had a good time were we where though but getting around the Bay was truly epic. I have seen many photos and movies with this place but that fact we got a decent day made it as close to perfect as I could imagine.
The day was spent kayaking (Phil generally spending more time in the water than the kayak but he was tandem with me) which meant I went in with him and then drinking.
NICKNAMES
Again we’ve taken it upon ourselves to give anyone nicknames. Ali was actually spending more time with me, Phil and the other Irish lad rob than his Swedish mates so we christened him Seamus and that stuck really well. He even introduced himself as Seamus to everyone else and it was never questioned.
Then Rob was hanging with the Swedish boys so we called him Anders. Jack was called foreskin as his second name is Foresgren, Felix was called Fagbo as he wanted to be called Rambo and Johan was called yoyo. The swedes have gave Phil the nickname of Simple because he’s clumsy as hell.
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DRINKING, SINGING & LAUGHING
There were quite a few quiet ones in the group and I’m sure they were thinking what the hell have they let themselves in for here but I was only ever told it was a party boat. There was a great mix of male to female, probably 60:40, which you would take anywhere in South East Asia. The rest of the day was spent drinking singing, jumping off the boat, and laughing uncontrollably. There was maybe only 20 people on the boat but that was perfect as it meant it was much more personal and we all got to know everyone.
SHIMMY SHIMMY
The swedes have showed us this game, Shimmy Shimmy (actually spelt Zumi Zumi) that got the noise up and everyone together having a laugh. Back to the island to continue the party where tomorrow’s group have arrived. Again the night started off with more Shimmy Shimmy except with nearly the entire bar joining in.. Bumped into Rose from Koh Tao who just arrived today and got very drunk.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall a great experience, it had everything. The rock climbing, the views and landscapes, the people and not to mention a short but interesting scope into the local Ha Long Bay culture of floating villages.
NEXT UP
How last day on the island is spent wake boarding and then enjoying a surprisingly upbeat journey home. Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
27/229
This post is part of the Vietnam Series, click to explore
