Ha Long Bay

Hạ Long Bay adjoins the Gulf of Tonkin. The land around it is karst, or
limestone. The interaction of limestone and acid water form caves, mountains
that go straight up into the air, and other interesting formations. It's one of
the most beautiful areas of Vietnam, and a popular destination. The area
looks very similar to Guilin in southern China, which is not that far away.

	Hạ Long Bay With mountains in the mist.
	Submarine-shaped island There are fanciful legends about many of the mountains.
	Inlet with floating houses.
	Floating houses Note the TV aerial.
	More floating houses It pays to keep an eye on the kids.
	Temple and grotto
	Temple in grotto
	Cave dwelling On the way to see the large cave below, we peered in to someone's home. Unlike Neanderthal dwellings, this one has a stereo, television and furniture. It would have been great to get a closeup, but there were people in bed and snoring at noon.
	Cave interior Paved floor and colored lights courtesy of the Chinese, presumably the same people as the ones who did Reed Flute Cave in Guilin. The penguin waste baskets were uniquely Vietnamese.