Back to the happy side

Hello,



Okay, let's get back to the happy side now; a story about how my weekend improved !


So I finally made it to the Bay side. I was running down the Tuan Chau bridge like a crazy person when someone from the cruise came to pick me up. I was rushed onto to the ship and immediately it started moving. The room I was placed in costs 1 500 USD a night. It was absolutely beautiful; I have a king size bed (the most comfortable I had ever tried), my own dining room, private deck and a glorious bathroom with a rain forest shower, bath tub and huge windows.

All the worries and depression washed away as soon as I got onto the ship. I only left my lovely shower because I was promise a lovely seafood lunch with some wine. And it was probably the best lunch I have had in my life. Four courses; green salad, tomato coconut milk soup, a seafood platter and fresh fruits with Vietnamese coffee. The first day was for me to relax and enjoy the archipelago, I would be leading a yoga class on the next morning.

We toured around the Ha Long Bay and visited the famous caves on a bamboo boat. The crew introduced us to the history of Ha Long Bay and showed us some of the most beautiful islands and rock formations. We also visited an oyster farm, they showed us how to clean oysters and impregnate them to get pearls. It was very interesting !

In the evening we took part in a Vietnamese cooking and drinking course at the ship. We made authentic spring rolls and learned how to toast with Vietnamese rice wine. For dinner, we were provided with the traditional Vietnamese outfit; Bao Dai. All of us dressed up and had dinner together; traditional squid cakes, tofu soup, grilled prawns and ice cream. Yummy. Followed by a nice relaxed evening with some wine. I ended the evening by taking a luxurious bubble bath in my room. All together just as relaxing as was necessary after the week I had had.

I woke up at 5 am next morning to watch the sunrise and have some coffee on the deck. Worth waking up for; it is almost impossible to describe the serenity and peacefulness at the sea. Little wind but a fresh and a warm morning with the sun climbing up between the islands. Next, I headed to another ship for my yoga class. The class went very well, I was pleased with myself and the turn up. We ended up doing some tae kwon do at the end as well, it was great to refresh my memory of the moves and get to teach something that I know very well and truly love. We all had a little giggle about how absurd the situation was; there we were sailing in one of the most beautiful places in the world doing yoga on the deck of a five start cruise ship. I would have never thought that I could get to do something like that !

I headed back to my own ship for a continental breakfast on the deck and spent the morning reading outside. We arrived back to Tuan Chau around noon and I went for a very lovely lunch with the managers of The Paradise Hotel.

Quick visit to my apartment in Bai Chay and I had to head back to Hai Phong.

All together, even though I barely slept at all, an amazing weekend and very much needed.



Love,


Mira