Once off Viet Tin 1 and Halong Bay we were escorted to the Sea Pearl Hotel and on our own for the night. Shaky legs, we showered, took quick naps and checked Internet before heading out for dinner. The hotel was quite clean and well equipped though eerily quiet. Our room was just above the nightclub which seemed odd to us, especially when we later learned we were the ONLY guests in the whole 12 story hotel!
This is our down time from Eco Friendly and had to choose our own food. We opted for something mentioned in Frommer's book, Bamboo cafe. Harmless enough but nothing exciting or particularly delightful. We were spoiled by our personal cooks on Viet Tin!
Grilled squid was our best choice.
Mixed vegetables with pork was mediocre at best.
The fish was passable but barely, I didn't enjoy it much.
Translations are always interesting! Check out the second line in red...
With a window view at breakfast, since of course we had the run of the place, was pretty spectacular. Normally at breakfast they serve a buffet but this morning they just made us what we wanted.
We were then met by two men who were going to take us on motorbikes around the island. We started out through Cat Ba town towards the hospital caves but first we had to pass through some mountains...
Up gravel roads where my confidence in my driver took over. If I thought about it too much, the ride would not have been much fun. He was skilled and his bike was much better than rentals we've had so all was fine. I got over myself and let it ride.
People and sites along the way
Here was our first stop. These caves were the site of an intricately architected series of rooms used for housing, nursing and operating on patients during the Vietnam war. We carefully climbed slippery wet steps
The view from the cave entrance.
Once in the caves, remarkably constructed hallways, rooms, stairs within these caves was incredible.
The tour guide for the caves on the right. Years before, a former military person who possible worked in this hospital was the self designated expert though he was in seventies. It appears that someone new has taken the reigns.
Climbing down was more precarious with the slippery surfaces. It was much like walking on ice; once you started to slip it was hard to control! Our guide was gracious to take us down the slippery ramps, one at a time.
My driver - I am embarrassed to say that I never learned his name! Our tour guide was Tuan, a former Eco Friendly guide. This our stop for the hospital caves so we bought a beverage and visited with the puppy which we were very glad to hear they didn't eat puppies! Only bigger dogs...
Again from the back of a motorbike...
We rode pretty close together so Donna was able to grab my camera and take this photo.
Tuan told Donna about his 92 year old grandmother and asked if we wanted to stop to meet her. Ne was very proud for us to see the family home which was newly built and to meet his uncle farmer. It was a nice community with narrow paved roads, neatly farmed lots with an occasional cow or bull.
We enjoyed pommelo with our guides before seeing the rest of the farm.
Pigs were squealing as it was time to eat!
Momma was ready to have more little piglets. Apparently she has them twice a year.
Tuan uncle was younger than I. He has finished his harvest for the day and getting ready to head to Cat Ba town to sell camote and pommelos. The bananas need to wait a couple more days to ripen.
This is what we know as a chermoya. The flesh is white, velvety soft and sweet with smooth brown seeds. I've had a larger variety in years ago in Paris that was similar.
On the road again...
But oops! Tuan seemed to have a flat tire so we were instructed to continue on to the restaurant so my guy can come back for Donna.
Scary to think this kind of development is planned for this peaceful island.
Another Eco Friendly choice, and location of their offices in Cat Ba - lovely food and service.
A hot and sour type of soup
Steamed lemongrass fish
Horse crabs in a tank for sale...funny looking!
Posted from Cat Ba island, Vietnam
Location:North Vietnam
Nice view from our window...
more street vendors...
Business as usual at Starbucks!