Floating fishing village

Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Tp. Hạ Long, Vietnam
Overcast this morning but the temp & humidity are still crazy high. Today we start the day in Vietnam but will finish it in Laos. After breakfast the junk sails on to a floating fishing village.
Until 1994, all the fishermen and their families lived in the caves on the islands . The Vietnamese government relocated everyone living in the caves into 7 floating fishing villages. The benefits would be less isolation, ability of children to attend school, etc. Each village has a floating school and for every 30 students there are 3 teachers. Teachers are mandated to teach for 1 year in a floating village.
The tender takes us into the village where we board the traditional fishing boats for a tour of the village. The tourism generated by the cruise company allows the men to continue to fish the waters but the women remain to guide the tourists. We were amazed by (and a bit hesitant about) our skipper who looked elderly but rowed like a champion. The girls thought she was so adorable, they wanted to pack her up and take her home (maybe a new friend for Gramma?). The village has fish, oyster and clam farms. After the tour, we watched as they demonstrated the pearl cultivating process. Only 30% of clams will create a pearl and of those only 10% will be gem quality. The rest are crushed to be used in cosmetics. Amazing.
Back to the junk to pack up for our departure, then lunch while we cruise back to the port in Halong Bay city. 3 hour mini van transfer to the Hanoi airport for our 6:30pm flight to Luang Prabang in Laos. Super smooth one hour flight and under cover of darkness we arrived at My Dream Boutique Resort.
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Comments

mom
2015-06-04

holy cow ! what an adventure ! the stories and photos are amazing !
could never have imagined that this area is so beautiful .what is with these 10 course meals . you better bring that new friend for Gramma to help prepare my next family dinner ! no way i could keep up !
had a good visit with Gayle in TO and Shaw was fun !
weather is warming up again ...not to even come close to your saunas but most welcome .
lots of love ,mom

2025-02-11

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