A short trip to Cat Ba

Last weekend I headed off to Cat Ba island. It's just off the coast, in Ha Long Bay, about 70 miles from Hanoi, which makes it a reasonably easy journey from home. The main attraction for me is that it is well set up for outdoorsy things so I thought I'd go and find out more, with a view to popping in a few times over the next couple of years.

A few companies offer transport to the island. The best way to do it appeared to be with Hoang Long who offer a coach-minibus-boat-minbus combination to get you door to door so I went for that.

The main town on Cat Ba island is Cat Ba strangely enough. It's basically about 1km of hotels and cafes, each of which offer trips to the surrounding islands, which are the reason for its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. On my next trip I hope to get out on a kayaking and climbing trip around the islands and should have some decent photos.

I came across some fisherman loading ice ready for their next trip out.



I hired a mountain bike to see some of the island. I didn't reckon with the fact that I would be cycling through roadworks and a quarry though. When it was time to turn around I realised I had a flat. As luck would have it, I just happened to be having a drink at a cafe owned by the local bicycle repair man. He sprang into action and did a great job. I was pleased, not least because it was 5 miles back to my hotel.




















This primeval-looking beastie spends its days outside a restaurant waiting to be chosen for somebody's plate. I was told that eating it would make me stronger. I think it would make me sick.

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A few weeks ago I met up with John & Tricia, friends from my church in Manchester, who were travelling with friends in these parts and found time to take me out for dinner! Very nice it was too. It was lovely to see folk from back home.

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Living in the backstreets in Hanoi is always entertaining. You don't have to go far to be inside a
maze of small alleys. It's very dark at night but coming home in the evening doesn't feel threatening. Based on my experiences with the locals so far, if there are any muggers I think they'd want to shake my hand and practise their English.

During the day, they are a hive of activity...

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Face masks are worn by many on the roads. Given the amount of pollution, I can understand their concern but I'm not convinced they make any difference. Many women also wear hoods and even flaps over their hands to keep the sun off as being too brown is unfashionable.

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I recently went to a Christmas concert at the Goethe Institute which is the German cultural organisation in Hanoi. We sang a few carols in German. My linguistic talents are being stretched to the limit these days.

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Bike photo of the month. I have even seen panes of (toughened) glass and mattresses being carried.

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Well, I've survived my first term at the Britsh Council and look forward to the next one. The students tend to be keen and hard-working, which is wonderful. Pronunciation is a big issue though, so I'm learning more about that at the moment and will explain more in a future blog.

I'm about to catch a plane home now so I'll sign off and wish you all a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chúc các anh Giáng Sinh và năm mới vui vẻ!

And, for all my Polish buddies ...

Wesołych Swiąt i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!