From Halong Bay To Hoi An

After a very comfortable night in our cabin we were up early (I took the main photo here just before dawn) for a pre-breakfast session of Tai Chi on the top deck. Mercifully, there's no visual record of the event as I was too busy trying to balance on one leg and concentrating on what I was meant to be doing with my hands for photography. 

It was surprisingly relaxing and physically demanding at the same time. Our reward was coffee and pastries, then it was off to another island for a lung -busting hike to the top where we enjoyed the panoramic view in extras which gives you an idea of the number of boats offering cruises in the Bay. Oddly, it never felt crowded.

Back on board, e had a substantial brunch watching the world go by before disembarking and getting back on the coach to Hanoi. On the way we stopped to watch people working in the rice paddies on the side of the road. (see other extras) They were transplanting the early rice plants, spacing them out to ensure better growth and a bigger crop. As always, we were greeted with big smiles and good-natured mimed offers to go and lend a hand.

From Hanoi, we took a short flight to Da Nang a remarkably recent and modern city which has gone from small fishing village to glitzy seaside resort since the turn of the century with more hotels still going up. From there we were driven along the coast to nearby Hoi An where we were in time to check in and grab a late meal. We were left to our own devices for dinner for the first time on the trip so decided on a change, having ridiculously cheap pizza and beers in a friendly place across the road from our hotel