The Windy Olympics

I guess we have all allowed our personal fitness to take a back seat over the last week or so. Well, I say that. We have climbed a few steps to various temples and hotels, lugged rucksacks in the heat and wrestled the odd excited elephant but there has been little enthusiasm for running or finding a gym. Time to readdress the balance it seems. 

I was up to watch the sunrise over Ha Long Bay. The light cloud cover put paid to that but by 8 we were off to view some caves. Limestone outcrops generally produce the best caves and this area is no exception. 

Of course there were the compulsory few hundred steps to contend with. 

We were moving location from Ha Long Bay to nearby Cat Ba Island for tonight. All part of the package. Tho, our guide was doing a great job. The journey involved boats and then a minibus then another boat and a bus to our hotel overlooking Cat Ba Bay. A triple room on the 7th floor overlooking the fishing fleet and floating restaurants. 

Cat Ba is approximately 30 square kilometres with a population of 10000 and it borders Ha Long so is made up of limestone karsts with jungle. Small sand coves and sheer cliffs are dotted around the dramatic coastline. 

Another multiple course meal at the Green Mango on the harbourside and we were set up for the afternoons activities. 

A short boat ride through the floating village...

A short cycle through the national park along what appeared to be a cycle track.

The peleton moved off with a lot of creaking and squeaking, some of it due to the poorly maintained bikes. 

Roadworks cut short the cycling event as the track was not completed. 

Back on the boat for the next event, the diving. There were three different heights available for competitors, lower deck, upper deck and roof. Lucas managed the upper deck several times. 

Few were able to match the style, elegance and perfect entry of his father though from the high board.  

The swimming event took us out from the boat to a nearby beach on a deserted island. Clear, warm waters in an idyllic location as the sun dropped behind the hills. 

In the evening many of the fishing boats in the harbour turn on brightly coloured lights as well as the lurid neon lighting of the floating restaurants. Perhaps a bit OTT, like Las Vegas at sea. 

Many of the bars along the front have happy hours (some all night) with local beer around 30p and cocktails £1.30. A Vietnamese Hotpot was ordered. 

A cauldron of hot soup with a plate of raw fish, prawns, squid and clams, another plate of vegetation and some packets of dried noodles. Think of a fondue but Vietnamese style. Plenty to keep 4 chaps sustained for a while. 

Another day down. Another great day of travel and sightseeing and plenty of new ideas for forthcoming trips and tours. People eager to visit other continents or do Windy 500 type events in Asia...I can see I have a lot of thought and researching to do when I get back from this one.