On the previous night, our tour leader and tour guide told us that the trip to Hanoi Bay needs 3 hours. So we had a earlier morning call at 6, then set off at 7.30 am.
The day's line up is to have a seafood lunch on the boat ride along Hanoi bay.
Followed a walk through the cave with beautiful rock formations.
Then check n a hotel for rest.
The night is the 972 birthday celebration at a hotel's ballroom.
There was stop-over for restroom and to get some local goodies. The agency also arrange deejays to come onboard the coaches and meet us for a short while.
After more than 3 hours on the road, we finally reached the jetty. There were full of boats lining up. We went on board and start off the boat ride. On the cool and quiet riverbay , there were nice and beautiful scenaries. The cameras were busy taking the best shots around - water, rocks and even the skies.
Then stopped by some fishermans' hut. You may buy the fresh seafood from them and cooked on the
spot for our lunch. But we were advised by our local tour le
ader not to do so.
Back onto and settled in tbe ferry, lunch was served shortly. It was just some simple dishes of vegetables and about 2 seafood items.
Understand from Nicole, my new fren on this trip, she says that the 2 pieces of rock formation, is an icon of Hanoi Bay. Basically they shaped like 2 chicken facing each other. When we are near the rocks, the tour guide pre-advised us. We stopped our chopsticks and out the camera again to snap it.
After a good ride and nice lunch, reached the jetty where the cave is. The cave was being discovered in 1993 by a fisherman and thereafter the government took over and developed further and today it had became a tourist spot. Generally inside the cave there are many beautiful rock formations. The lights were to enhance the beauty.
Again as told by Nicole, one of the rock looks like a nipple. From far, it does looks so. It took us more than an hour to complete the exploration of the cave. Both os us stopped by to buy some soveniors and end up the last 2 to go onboard the ferry. The tour guide was worried that we might went up to another cave which we are not aware there is one.
Now is time to ferry us to the hotel and get prepare for the night - 972 birthday party.
We were checked-in Dream Hotel. A better one to the previous La Thanh Guest House. As I took a single room, my room was a few levels above our other group members. Managed to get a bit of the sea view from the hotel room.
As we have about 2 hours to spare, we went out of the hotel to have a look. Opposite the hotel, there was a shopping area - similiar to that of our pasar malam. That was a stretch of stalls selling some small items - handbags, soverniors, handicraft stuff etc... I managed to get some fridge magnets and a handbag. Thanks to super barginner Nicole, the handbag is a good buy which costs S$4 from the origin of S$10. That is a 60% discount.
Around 6 pm, we went back to the hotel and washed up. By 6.50 we are to meet at the lobby and take the coach to another hotel. As there were be 15 buses heading the same place, the tour guide briefed us the whats to do, whats not to. So that everything will run smooth and not to cause any unpleasant situations.
And u know what - my nightmare started. The batteries for the camera went flat. I did not bring the charger. Neither dat I can get any nearby at all. My initial plan to snap a lot of pictures on the show performed by the 972 djs, but now sigh...
Though Nicole and Sandy told me to use their cameras. But I just feel not too good and keep disturbing them.
The hotel was just a short ride from our Dream hotel. Upon reaching, we see the crowds from other buses. An estimate is about 400+.
The event kicked off around 8 pm. The dj crew started their performance and so is the food. With the weak batteries, I managed to get some shots.
Towards the end of the show, there was a cake on stage for the radio station.
Then gradually, the guests started to leave by group. We were among one of them who leave later. Thanks to dat, we managed to go on stage and get more shots with the deejays. Also not forgetting Elsie our tour leader, she took a lot of shots for me using her camera. Of course to mention Sandy too for being my camera lady for the night.
We were back to the hotel around 10.30pm. Some of our members are still not too tired. So we brought them to the same marketing place in the afternoon. With the professional bargaining power, Nicole helps some of the group to get cheap stuff and a handbag for herself. Everyone was happy and we left around an hour after.
We had an morning flight at 10.30am next day and Hanoi Bay is further from airport, we need to leave very early.
Day 4 - 21 Sep 08
A morning call at 4.15, breakfast at 5am and to set off 5.30.
We took the coach and reached the airport around 8.40 after a 3 hours ride. The check in took quite a while but we still have a little time to shop around at the duty free shops. Finally is time to board the plane. As a few groups of us flying back to Singapore, Elise arranged the seats by group though our boarding passes indicated otherwise. This is just for us to enjoy the companionship on the last few hours.
There were some annoying noises on the plane as I believed the leaders of the other groups were not briefed before going on board.
Reaching Singapore about 3 pm in the afternoon, we collect our luggage and leave for home.
It had been a wonderful trip. Though travelling alone, I have met nice frens Nicole, Sandy, Su Ling and her boyfren which eventually I am not alone at all.
Not forgetting our good tour guide - ah Du and also motherly tour leader Elsie.
If given opportunities, I will like to travel with them again.
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