Today we took a guided day trip tour to Ha Long Bay. It was about a 2 hour drive with scenic views. First stop was at an oyster pearl farm. They walked us through how they create the pearls and harvest them. They put a small plastic ball inside the live oyster, and then put them back in the ocean for 2-5 years. The ball supports the sharpe of the pearl and the oyster creates a film around the ball to create the shiny outer layer of the pearl. Only 5% of the pearls turn out perfect, but the rest are used for earrings or turned into dust for moisturizer.
Then we got on a boat to take us into the bay and feed us lunch! These views were incredible!
Kayaking!
Then a hike for a panoramic view and a swim! we booked it to the top so we could by pass the crowds. There are tons of tours going on, all the same schedule. All the boats in the photo below are your boats! But our guide said this was nothing compared to summer months. We would’ve been waiting an hour just to start the hike.
On to see some caves!
Then we cruised back to the marina and enjoyed the views and sunset!
Finally made it back to Hanoi, after a 12 hour outing! Just in time for “walking street”! only on the weekends from 7-12pm, a lot of the streets are blocked off so no cars and very few scooters can pass by.
Today was a really great day!! Lots of outside time and the weather was around 85F, which is great for this area!
Shelby's Travels 
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