Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. It’s quite a journey to get there. Hopping on the traditional junk boat and sailing off into the dense cluster of nearly 2000 limestone islands formed over 500 million years ago almost feels like a fairy tale.
As the local legend says, the “Bay of Descending Dragons” was created when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders and the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. The dragons began spitting out jewels and jade, which turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form barriers against the invaders.
Sitting on the upper deck of the boat, facing the cold breeze, I take in this exceptional scenic beauty while our boat maneuvers through the maze of the protruding rock formations. The limestone pillars topped with thick jungle vegetation, change dramatically rising out of the ocean and coming out of the foggy curtain as we get closer and pass them. The unusual shapes and silhouettes of the rugged rocks provoke my imagination to find new names based on their resemblance.
The further we go, the more isolated and remote I feel. Passing sheer cliffs, hidden caves, few boats and fishermen, I didn’t expect to see a whole “floating village”! Tiny little houses tucked in between the limestone towers peacefully rock with the sound of the ocean. Painted with bold vivid colors, they stand out against the bright blue sky and the green cliffs. After we set the anchor nearby, I jump in a kayak and paddle closer to the floating settlement to take a glimpse and see how the fishermen live. It’s quiet, peaceful and I feel small surrounded by the massive stone islands. Sailing through the mystical labyrinth of Halong Bay is definitely a great experience carved in my mind forever.
