Middle-aged flash packers

Yesterday we pottered around, getting trips sorted, drinking coffee in the sunshine (we had a couple of hours of sunshine – hurrah!), using the onsen and generally relaxing.

Today was the day of our cruise around Lan Ha bay.

Lan Ha bay has now become a Unesco site alongside its more popular sister, Halong Bay. We chose Lan Ha mainly because it’s closer to us but also it’s billed as being less crowded.

Fog was the order of the day when we woke up but it did clear to just cloud. Up early as we were told to be in the lobby for 8am, our transport finally arrived at 9am. There were 9 of going from the hotel and it turned out to be only 9 of us on the boat. 

The blurb about the trip told us there was a year round jacuzzi on board. Not sure how  this  definition works but there was indeed a jacuzzi onboard but it had no water in it. We were also informed that the cruise would be cut short by  an hour as it was too cold to swim. 

To be honest, we didn’t mind. We were most interested in the scenery which was spectacular even in the cloud. We’re actually very glad we didn’t book an overnight cruise as it would have been a waste of time and money. Once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it. Maybe worth doing if the weather is hot and clear and you can enjoy swimming etc but definitely not when it’s cool. 

Having said that, we enjoyed the trip. We had a nice bunch of people to talk to and lunch was fantastic- a seafood feast. Fingers crossed no unwanted repercussions,  but it was very tasty indeed with oysters, squid, prawns, fish soup and more. 

Everyone went out on the kayaks and for one couple on their honeymoon it was the first time they’d tried it. Very game of them. S did all the work in our kayak as usual with me pretending to row occasionally.

We did have to visit a traditional village and the tour was not very informative but it was tolerable. (We don’t like these things. They’re either completely fake or a horrible kind of travel voyeurism.) We indulged in the feet nibbling fish “massage” and I have to say my feet feel really smooth. Fingers crossed I don’t get some horrible foot fungus from it. 

Time passed quickly and by 2.30pm we were back on dry land. Would I recommend it? I would. The scenery is spectacular and the food made up for the little niggles as did having convivial company. The boat was in good shape compared to many of the others too.

Next, a relax and an onsen. Although for my first onsen it was  ok to wear my swimsuit, now it is not ok. I have to wear a shower cap and a pair of disposable knickers. Which is fine but a bit more awkward when you’ve only just  met someone socially and they’re also in the onsen, similarly attired. 

Social barriers navigated semi successfully, time for a massage. We have become massage addicts over the past 10 days and I have to say this one was less a relaxing experience, more a brutalisation. Only an innate stubborness prevented me from screaming. She found knots everywhere (I was one big knot, I was so tense) and spared them no mercy. At one point I thought I might have to fight her to get her off me but there would only be one winner and it wouldn’t be me. 

In true British fashion I endured it, occasionally groaning when it became unbearable which she did take note of but then just started on another area. 

Steve and I exchanged notes afterwards and he experienced similar pain. Why did they hate us so much? I’ve got a facial booked for Sunday, feeling nervous already.

Our joint trauma saw us hitting the wine at dinner. This was supposedly Vietnamese wine. Tasted like pinot Grigio to me – I haven’t seen any vineyards so far but I’ll keep an open mind. Where ever it came from it was very delicious. As was my meal which was roast chicken with potato mash. Brits abroad eh?