As She Is.

Heya Folks,
After a busy June teaching I decided to kick off July with a relaxing trip to Cat Ba island, with some friends from the GMG English club. We set off early on saturday morning by taking a train to Hai Phong city, and then a bus, boat, bus to Cat Ba itself. Ever tried going on holiday with Vietnamese people? A usually 3 hour trip took nearly 8 hours of fun and randomness. When we arrived at the port in Cat Hai, we discovered the boats were 'broken' and there were crowds of Vietnamese holidaymakers trying to make their way over to the island. After a three hour wait in the dock (during which time I learned to sing Vietnamese songs!) we made it to Cat Ba town.....22 people in a 14 seater minibus. Naturally.

After such a crazy journey, we were all looking forward to hitting the beach and swimming in the warm water of the South China Sea. The feel of sand beneath my toes was truly a joy and made the journey instantly worthwhile.
This is the scene that confronted us on our chosen beach. Clearly a destination of choice. A truly Vietnamese holiday.

When the beach closed at sunset, we dodged the security guards and snuck up behind the rocks to set up the barbeque in the fading light. We lit a fire in the shell of an old computer monitor, and chatted the night away under the stars of HaLong Bay. It was fun, random and slightly illegal, truly the ingrediants of all the best adventures.
Sunday started early with a kayak ride after a bowl of Pho for breakfast. We paddled our way through a floating village and then moored up on a small beach of broken coral for a rest and photo op.

Although CatBa is undoubtedly becoming more and more touristy, disappearing into a mess of resorts and highrise holtels, it was still a really really fab weekend. I didnt even mind about the delays, the broken boats, the over-crowded minibus, the hourly power cuts in the hotel, the crowded beach and the disorganisation. This Is Vietnam, as she is. It's what I wanted to see when I came here, and last weekend I feel like I saw it all.
Happy Memories

SarahHeadsEast xx