We are finally in Hoi An, with a bit of decent internet, so time for some catch up.  

During our 4 course lunch in Ha Long Bay, we experience a true tropical storm.  One minute it was fine and sunny and the next there were these ominous rumblings and flashings from off to one side.  Initially it could have been something associated with one of the big ships that were out in the bay, but after a bit of fork lightening, we knew it was all on.  The crew pulled up to a large anchor bouy and tied the boat up and we ate our lunch whilst the storm rolled in.  It blew the boat back and forward and when the thunder let go, it actually shook the windows.  We were in quite a sheltered spot, but it still was a bit spooky when it sounded like a drum was being banged directly over the boat and the thunder rumbled on for more than 30 seconds and the rain came down in bucket loads.

The early afternoon activities were cancelled and we had some time to do a bit of catch up - without internet.  So I was unclear what it was we were catching up on.  No news.  No email.  No Whats App.  Hello 1983!

The storm eventually knocked itself out and it was clear enough for us to go onto the next activity, which was a cave visit.  Didn’t sound particularly exciting, but it was actually very cool.  The cave was above sea level and had been made by wave action millions of years before.  The ceiling had a pattern that appeared to be hollowed out waves and inside were limestone stalactites and stalagmites making cool looking structures.  

There was this massive Typhoon in 1994, just before the whole area went into protection and 150 of the fishing families stayed in the cave for 5-6 days hiding out because their village was being trashed and a bunch of people from the Ha Long Bay Area died in the storm.  I am not sure that would have been too pleasant as the rainwater makes its way down the stalactites and drips on the floor, so it would have been all wet anyway.  I guess the upside is that they had plenty to drink?

The Typhoon’s seem to be huge in the area and the damage from one last year is still evident with building structures and roof’s blown off in the area, still not repaired.  Things take their owns sweet time to get sorted around here.