Halong Bay: part 3

Lám had arranged for kayaks so that we could paddle our way among the limestone pillars, through archways and into secret lagoons.

I got to sit up front; being the official photographer which meant I was let off most of the paddling duty ;-)

Here we are, can you see me up front, pretending to paddle??  Where shall we go?

 

You can't be serious  - through there?

 

We made it in, but are we going to get out again?

 

Looks like we will,

phew, through into a hidden lagoon.  So quiet and secluded, we are hidden from view.  No one knows we are here at all.  Unless the hidden monkeys have told!

Back out, the sun is slowly going down,

 

but there is still heat in the day and enough light to see someone over there, on the rocks...

 

Can you see them too?  On the right hand side, got their back turned, so must  be shy...just one , but I bet the others are hiding from us in the bushes up above.

 

Off we paddle to find another karst to explore,

 

 how about over there?

 

Seriously, you think we'll be able to squeeze through?

We did, but the sun is nearly down. 

 So it's time to turn for the boat.

The kites are still playing on the thermals and the sun is all but gone,

but there is just time to have a cooling G&T and a quick read before changing for dinner.

 

There, gone for today.  Let's go and see what the chef has been up to whilst we were enjoying ourselves.

 

Quite something wouldn't you say?  The most creative use of a vegetable I have ever seen.  Carrots, cucumber and mouli will never be the same again!

 

Or tomatoes, as this carved and light one is trying to prove.

 Even Delia and Mary would be hard pressed to have thought of a carrot net!  Although given the chance I am sure Lakeland will come up with the appropriate gadget ;-)

Whatever the veg. looked like it didn't detract from the excellent seafood we were treated to.