Ha Long Bay

Overnight Cruise in Ha Long Bay

The next stop on our nine-day G-Adventure Tour of Vietnam was in Ha Long Bay.  Ha Long Bay is a dramatic, ancient seascape where nearly 2,000 limestone pillars rise from emerald waters like a “rock wonder in the sky”. Sculpted over 500 million years by tectonic shifts and marine erosion, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a maze of hidden caves, secluded lagoons, and floating villages that preserve a unique maritime heritage.

Having only seen some Instagrammable moments showcasing the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay, I was very excited to visit the area.  While I expected some tourism, I was dismayed to find a boat highway in Ha Long Bay, rather than tranquility among the towering karst islands!

While I am glad I visited Ha Long Bay in person and checked it off my bucket list, I must advise nature lovers who don’t mind missing the iconic sites to look for quieter cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay or otherwise be prepared for lots of tourists.

SAIL AWAY!
vrbo in ucluelet

Things to Do in Ucluelet

Up until a few months ago, I had never heard of Ucluelet.  I was interested in visiting Tofino, and upon researching places to stay and things to do in Tofino, I found nearby Ucluelet met all my needs for a more affordable price.

Located on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, Ucluelet is smaller and the less hipster sister of its famous northern neighbor Tofino.  With a population of just over 2,000 and growing, the small downtown features several coffee shops, a few retail stores, and some nice restaurants.

Hiking trails and beaches surround the village whose names comes from the local Nuu-chah-nulth language and translates to people of the safe harbor.  Below are a few things to do in Ucluelet.

EXPLORE!

Things to Do in Loreto

After escaping Hurricane Norma whose rains flooded the dirt streets of Cabo Pulmo, we arrived in Loreto at dusk.  The drive past cacti forests with views of mountains and the ocean was pleasant, as was the weather in Loreto.  We had nothing planned, but soon found out there are many things to do in Loreto. 

EXPLORE!
sunset at Carp Island Resort

Carp Island, Palau

The Wilderness Travel crew sent us on our way this morning. It was sad to say bye to them all, each with such a different personality, but all so nice. Wilter hardly said a word that many times he faded into the background, but he was a good fisherman and assistant chef. It was Hamilton’s first trip. He gave a great coconut show and could dive deep the one day he came snorkeling with us. Michael, was from Nigeria and always eager to help! Ludy was the head honcho and master chef. All of them seemed like masters of the ocean because they need fish to survive.

wilderness travel crew
camp at Jackson's beach

Barnum Reef and Turtle Cove

Bax took us by boat to two snorkel sites, Barnum Reef and Turtle Cove. A bunch of white tip reef sharks circled below, and we even spotted a few small black tips. I was blessed to see some squid which I haven’t seen in some time. We saw two more clown triggerfish which I really think are pretty, and a school of hundreds of goatfish. Of course, as the name of the reef suggests, several turtles hung around the reef…at least six! The green turtle had a prettier shell than the hawksbill.

turtle in palau
squid
school of goatfish

Carp Island Resort

After our snorkel, we paddled to a small beach for lunch and then to Carp Island Resort where we rested for the afternoon. “Resort” was a bit liberal. Camp might be a better description with free-standing, unair-conditioned cabins with a connected bathroom accessible from an outside door. The open air lobby was like a sauna under the tin roof, so we ate our dinner at a covered picnic table while the sun set, which was quite pleasant.

I think we may have been better off camping after our expectations had been lifted to “Resort” level. I recognize many third world countries’ plumbing cannot accommodate toilet paper being flushed in the commode, but if resort is being used in the title then the ability to flush the TP should be a requirement!

Tomorrow brings a lesson in WWII history as we visit the Island of Peleliu, Palau. ETB

rock islands of palau
kayaking in Palau
kayaking in Palau
Carp Island Resort
dock at Carp Island Resort
fish dinner
dinner at Carp Island Resort
sunset at Carp Island Resort
rock island Palau

Exploring the Rock Islands: Snorkeling the Best Dive Sites in the World

Jackson’s Beach

Boy did we ever have the storm of all storms last night! Rain, thunder, lightening…something rare for Palau. It did offer a nice breeze for the tents, which were relatively hot. Some people might say that relatively hot was an under statement as they were considering sleeping out on the beach or in a hammock like some of the crew. If I were assured I wouldn’t be eaten alive by ants and mosquitos, I may have slept under the stars as well, as they were magnificent. Interestingly, while Palau is in the Northern hemisphere, 4° above the equator, the North Star can’t be seen. Sailors navigate by the Southern Cross and moon.

GO SNORKELING!
jellyfish lake

Exploring the Rock Islands: Jellyfish Lake and Giant Clam Beach

Jellyfish Lake

This has been a game of careful what you wish for…no rain and LOTS OF SUN…it was a hot day, but also a fascinating day! We started out with a boat ride to Jellyfish Lake, one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. We hiked up some rocky stairs made for giants, over the top of a hill, and back down onto a dock where we jumped in for a snorkel.

DIVE IN!
brain coral

Exploring the Rock Islands: Milky Way and Einstein’s Gardens

Margie’s Beach

The tents were spread out along the sweeping sandy beach that looked out onto calm, turquoise water protected by a reef to the left which was home to WWII Japanese Zero airplane. A young 19 year old pilot safely landed it on the reef as opposed to crashing the plane Kamikaze style, as they were taught.

EXPLORE!
kingfisher bay

Exploring the Rock Islands: Risong Bay Area

It was a warm night of camping at Lee Marvin Beach, and I think most of us were awake before the sun even rose. Ludy called us to breakfast with a conch shell. It sounded like a fog horn. We feasted on sunny side up eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, and fruit. Today we planned exploring Palau’s Rock Islands in the Risong Bay Area.

EXPLORE!