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.
Floating fishing village
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Tp. Hạ Long, Vietnam
Other Entries
-
1Good morning Vietnam!
May 285 days priorHanoi, Vietnamphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 1 -
2Walking Tour of Hanoi
May 294 days priorHanoi, Vietnamphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 1 -
3Ho Chi Minh Complex
May 303 days priorHanoi, Vietnamphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 1 -
4Boarding our Chinese Junk
May 312 days priorHalong Bay, Vietnamphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 1 -
5Cruising Halong Bay
Jun 011 day priorHalong Bay, Vietnamphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
6Floating fishing village
Jun 02Tp. Hạ Long, Vietnamphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 1 -
7Walking tour of Luang Prabang
Jun 031 day laterLuang Prabangphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
8Elephant Village Sanctuary!
Jun 042 days laterLuang Prabangphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 1 -
9Kuang Si Falls
Jun 053 days laterLuang Prabangphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 2 -
10Biking in Laos then supper in Thailand
Jun 064 days laterChiang Mai, Thailandphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 2 -
11Biking tour of Chiang Mai Old Quarter
Jun 075 days laterChiang Mai, Thailandphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 2 -
12Exploring the Chiang Mai countryside
Jun 086 days laterChiang Mai, Thailandphoto_camera12videocam 0comment 1 -
13Doi Suthep & Royal Winter Palace
Jun 097 days laterChiang Mai, Thailandphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 3 -
14Visiting the Angkor Wat complex
Jun 119 days laterSiem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
15Temples, museums, fine dining & the circus!
Jun 1210 days laterKrong Siem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
16Silk Farm, Killing Fields and off to beach
Jun 1311 days laterKrong Siem Reap, Cambodiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 1 -
17Visiting Hoi An (and a bit of shopping!)
Jun 1614 days laterDanang, Vietnamphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 1
Comments

2025-02-11
Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank
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