August 5 and 6: We spent Sunday and Monday in Halong Bay. I can see why they are trying to get it named another natural wonder of the world. The islands and water are truly spectacular. We stayed on a junk boat called Oriental Sails. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about staying on it overnight as a junk boat had sunk killing everyone on board a few months ago. On the first day we visited The Amazing Cave which I believe is the largest cave in the world. Then there was kayaking which the kids did not want to do so they went swimming in the emerald green water instead. They jumped off the back of the boat and then swam around to the side to get back on. The food was delicious with lots of fresh seafood caught in the bay. In the evening we sat on the top deck enjoying the view while the kids played cards and truth or dare. Our sleep was disrupted by a bad thunderstorm with lots of wind. I was awakened by the various noises the boat was making in the storm. I had visions of the boat capsizing. When I looked out the window I could see we were moving and learned the next morning that the boat was being spun around in a circle by the wind and they did have to move the boat to a different area. Surprisingly I fell back to sleep before the storm was over. The next morning we went to and island called Turtle Beach where we swam and climbed 400 steps to the top. We also visited a floating village in the bay that sells fresh seafood. After lunch we departed and took a van back to Hanoi to catch our flight to Huu.