Ha Long Bay Bhaya Cruise Day 2: Adventures on Cat Ba Island

We got up before 6am- not just because the Australian retirees were up, but because the sunrise over the islands in Ha Long Bay was incredible. 

Also, there was 6:15am Tai Chi. Please notice the participants... there's the retirees, and then there's Nick (I also did the class).

Concrete boats - still don't get how these stay afloat.

Of the 40 passengers on the Bhaya Classic cruise, only 6 of us signed up for the 3D/2N cruise (versus the 2 day, 1 night, which is less than 24 hours). This was an AWESOME decision. Since Ha Long Bay takes 4 hours to get to anyway, I would have felt cheated if I went all the way to Ha Long Bay only to turn right around again.

As part of the 3 day, 2 night cruise, you spent one full day away from the main luxury cruise. We took a smaller boat (still three stories) to Cat Ba Island, which is incredibly beautiful, and has a massive National Park. On Cat Ba Island, we bike into the village, grab a soda, then bike back (only about 12 km total, including both mild but steep mountain biking and paved jungle trails).

The eel and frog farms on Cat Ba Island.

Biking through the village.

After returning to the boat, we had a four course lunch (again more seafood/ prawns) and then went swimming off the boat. 

And when I say "swimming" I mean we jumped off the top of the boat, which was not technically cruise-line approved but we were 4 of 6 passengers, and the Viet guys were more than happy to cheer us on as we pencil dived (me) or swan-dived (Nick's cousin).

We then explored the islands on kayak and went to tiny remote beaches for some swimming and shell-gathering. 

Nick sizing up the distance to the water before jumping. 

A junk boat on the way back to the main cruise boat.

We really lucked out with the weather- sunny all day, and incredible stars all night.

Showing off my new fancy earrings (they're from H&M, no big deal).

There was also a cooking class where they taught you to make spring rolls. I stayed just long enough to take this picture- spring rolls are one of the few Asian foods I actually know how to make.

Tuna, in the shape of a heart. A bit over the top.

Note: There were two entree choices each night. The first night, it was between steak (black pepper sauce) and sea bass (passion white sauce). The second night, it was lamb chops (black pepper sauce) and prawns (passion white sauce).
If I never have black pepper sauce or passion white sauce again, it will be too soon.