The remains of the largest typhoon in recorded history is headed towards us in Hanoi, but we are scheduled to leave before it arrives. The last two days on Ha Long Bay were fabulous, but with an undercurrent of concern as news of the devastation in the Philippines reached us. Our guide, Hung, kept a happy face as he gave us updates and discussed alternate plans if the typhoon were to hit Hoi An, where we were to head next. Happy face, but concern on the inside.
The bay is home to multiple small floating fishing villages, pearl farms, and thousands of tourists. For much of the time, we are happy that our boat avoids the other boats. Sometimes, however, there is an attraction that draws the tour boats into a wet traffic jam and the experience is diminished. The landscape is eye-popping and carved into thousands of small islands; formed by the thrashing of the tail of a giant dragon - a long, long time ago. Of course!
Now, we are in the boarding area for our 5pm flight to Da Nang and our hotel in Hoi An. At this moment, it seems that fortune is smiling on us.
So glad to see your post, John. The devastation in the Philippines is terrible, and I was really worried when I saw that the storm was heading to Vietnam. Sounds as if you're in good hands and will remain safe and sound. The pictures in this post are stunning!
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