Bus, bus, boat, bus.

Oh, by the way... it was fried pork skin.

Today we had anticipated an 1120am bus to start our journey to Cat Ba Island.  False alarm.  "Happy New Year, Tet, 1120 bus no more."  Okay, so we kill two hours by eating the best street Pho thus far in the trip.  Finally, at 120pm,. we were on our way.  Bus, bus, boat and bus later we arrve at Cat Ba island at 530pm.  The night was spent looking for a hotel and food. 

Three firsts for me on this day.  First, an unsolicited alarm clock, far too early, by a ridiculously loud recording of what seemed to be propoganda.  It blared, screechingly from the speakers right infront of our hotel. Second and third, a motor-bike ride and kayaking.  We hailed Xe Om's and sat on the back of the bike to get taken to our adventure store office, Blue Swimmer.  Upon deliberation over some more Pho, this time, Pho Ga, we decided on a day kayaking trip around La Han bay.  What an experience!  I had never kayaked before and now have discovered something really fun.  We kayaked with our guide, Den who guided us through the rock formations in the bay.  His whistling and singing Vietnamese folk tunes echoed off the rocks.  It was one of the most serene and tranquil experiences I have ever had.  4 guys, calm emerald green water and clean air.  Not another tourist in sight.  Just the occasional oyster farmer or grouper fisherman. 

We had lunch, quite a feast I might add on "Monkey Island."  Our post lunch resumption of our kayaking adventure was a little bit slower due to our post feast mini comas.  We continued to navigate throughout the bay and floating fishing villages complete with sattelite TV, guard dogs and floating grocery stores.  Alas, all good things must come to an end and we paddled back into the little city, Bun Beo where we started our adventure earlier in the day. 

The evening was spent attempting to find acceptable food for dinner consumption in Cat Ba city.  Fail, again!  Fatigued from our kayaking and being woken early by Mrs. Propaganda, we called it an early evening.  On the agenda for the next day is another early start and a day cruise back through Lan Ha bay up into Ha Long bay to see more of this World Heritage sight.