halong

Halong Bay (Vinh Ha Long) August 2007

One of the most hauntingly beautiful places on earth. The other-wordly nature of Ha Long Bay has drawn me back for another photo shoot, this time in better weather conditions than those I experienced during winter 2007 Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ha Long literally means "descending dragon." An emperor long ago saw a dragon descend from the clouds and routed enemy invaders. Hence, the name. It is also said that the dolomite and limestone karsts represent the back of the dragon that has descended into the bay. No matter, it's a beautiful place.

The calm waters of Ha Long Bay and the limestone and dolomite karsts. To the left is part of a small floating village.This day on the bay was very beautiful. The weather was calm and just enough clouds to provide texture to the sky.

Many travel agencies operate tours originating in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, to Ha Long City and the eponymous bay. This is an overnight boat, on which tourists can tour the bay and sleep on board overnight. It's a wonderful experience that I've had twice already.

Many people live permanently on boats, moored together in small communities. Here is one such collection. The people spend their entire lives on the boats ekeing out their living fishing, pearl cultivating and tourist-related activities.

A modern boat, modeled after the ancient Chinese junks that plied the waters of Ha Long Bay, has its ginger-colored sails raised to catch the wind through a passage.

A sea eagle soars above the karsts of Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam

Karsts of limestone or dolomite rise out of the waters of the bay. This is just one of more than 3,000 such karsts in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Water, karsts and a cloudy sky are that is Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam.

The moon rises over the stillness of Ha Long Bay and itself, rests behind the silver glow of a cloud. On the bay, the boats lie at anchor while guests dine and drink aboard and prepare for their night's rest.

Click on the motorbike to return to the homepage. More photos of Ha Long Bay are on the pages marked "North Viet Nam page 1 and 2".