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02 October 2007
Short Talk:
Nice to know that a project I used to be involved in when I was a Uni student is still going on strong. *sniff*
Curtin University this week plays host to Multicultural Week. kennysia.com readers in Perth, go check out their annual Pasar Malam this Friday night. Six years ago today, I was in the organising committee for that event!
Hallo, Halong Bay
After two noisy nights inside a rumbling train, my travel partner and I are looking forward to some peace and quiet.
Mobile shoe-cleaning service, only US$1 / RM3.50 each
Nicole didn't sleep well. The night before, she was sharing the cabin with three men playing The Symphony of Snore-chestra all night long. And I was one of band members. Hehe.
Anyway, on the third day of our trip, we returned to our Hanoi guesthouse. Without much rest, we signed up for an overnight tour of Halong Bay.
Mobile shoe cleaner using the money we paid him to smoke tobacco pipes
As much as I'm normally anti-tour agents, US$50 (RM175) all inclusive is a pretty good deal. It's nice for once to let someone else do the planning and just sit back and relax.
The two of us were joined by eight other travellers from other parts of the world. Together we departed for Halong Bay at an ungodly hour of 8 in the morning.
Halong Bay is located 4 hours east of Hanoi by bus.
From there, we boarded our traditional wooden junk boat and checked into our cabin.
The boat sailed out and we were served our welcome lunch, which was a fantastic Vietnamese seafood fare.
The first meal was the best meal of the boat trip. Too bad after the good first impression, the meals got crappier and crappier each day.
Unlike Sapa, Halong Bay has long been commercialised and developed as a tourist destination. It may not have the warmth of the minority tribes, but development has made the place accessible and the rates between tour operators competitive.
Halong Bay is a natural wonder, a world heritage site and a top attraction for visitors to Hanoi.
The area is famous for their awesome limestone karst formations rising above the sea, dotted around its bay. It's every photographer's dream and I must admit I was impressed.
An overnight stay on the boat at Halong Bay is an experience I highly recommend. There's nothing more serence than waking up on a gently rocking boat amidst the morning drizzle surrounded by karst limestones.
We were lucky to depart on a clear blue day. The water was beautifully emerald green, shimmering in the sunlight. Sitting on the top deck with our new friends, we had fun watching one island pass by after another.
Some islands have more character than others.
Like Titop Island.
Legend has it that once upon a time, there lived a Very Old Man meditating inside that pagoda on top of the hill.
In the past, people used to climb that treacherous hill looking for that Very Old Man. When they finally reached the pagoda, they would kneel down before him and yell "SIFU!" while the Very Old Man stroked his long white beard and chuckled.
The Old Man would torture them for seven days and seven nights before teaching them kung fu and turn them into the next Bruce Lee.
...
Unfortunately, that was actually just some bullshit story I simply made up. There's no Old Man living on the hill top teaching kung fu.
The views on top of Titop Island is beautiful, but all there is is just some hairy Kuching dude sitting there acting stupid.
During the tour, we stopped by one of the many islands to check out the limestone caves.
It was alright , although I'm sure *cough*Sarawakhasbettercaves*cough*. They even had paved walkways and illuminated rock formations with coloured spotlights for the convenience of tourists.
It wasn't all that exciting.
This is the only rock formation worth seeing inside the cave.
Looks more like the "rock formation" you can see in my pants.
The guide says it's a "finger", but I beg to differ.
Fingers don't have testicles.
In the afternoon, the guide arranged for us some kayaks to get our fat asses working. Kayaking is excellent in a beautiful place like Halong Bay.
Unker Francis Ho must be proud to know that we were the slowest of them all and consistently ended up last among the group.
But don't blame me! How the hell am I supposed to concentrate when my buddy was paddling like this?
Ridiculous.
Somehow we miraculously managed to manoeuvre the kayak and had a short tour around the area. We paddled through a small tunnel and looked at some rocks looking back at us.
It was surreal. We felt tiny surrounded by monolithic limestones circling us.
The highlight of our trip was watching the sunset in Halong Bay from our boat.
It was simply sublime. There's something breathtaking about watching the colours of the water change to red as the sun sets.
Against the backdrop of limestone silhouettes, the more daring ones among us decided to have a dose of adrenaline rush by jumping off the boat and plunging into the water.
It looked fun.
Some even did amazing backflips off the top deck.
AWESOME.
Made me feel like joining them also.
I believe I can flyyyyy
Don't laugh. I SAID DON'T LAUGH!
:: Posted by Kenny at 8:11 AM | Link | Facebook It
:: Categorised as 'Vietnam'
95 Comments:
1st? hahahaha at ur last pic :P
Posted by: fudgey at 02 October 2007 3:34 PM | Link to comment
last picture dun really look like u...
Posted by: Chris at 02 October 2007 3:45 PM | Link to comment
SECOND !!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA !! SECOND !!! HAHAHAHAHA !! I HAVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR THIS !!! SECOND !! HAHAHAHAHA !! SECOND !!! HAHAHAHA !!
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 02 October 2007 3:45 PM | Link to comment
hahahahahaha.. lol. =D
Posted by: mongue at 02 October 2007 3:45 PM | Link to comment
what?! stupid kenny. Compete to make a fool of ourselves entries is it? LOL
Posted by: Nicole at 02 October 2007 3:48 PM | Link to comment
aaaaaa.....jump kenny jump!!
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 02 October 2007 3:53 PM | Link to comment
hahhahahahahhaha chicken with no wings
Posted by: shaunboi at 02 October 2007 3:57 PM | Link to comment
lol. The more you say "DON'T LAUGH", the harder I laughed. *smiles*
Posted by: saintwawa at 02 October 2007 4:05 PM | Link to comment
alamak. at least jump with style lah!
Posted by: Salamahafifi at 02 October 2007 4:06 PM | Link to comment
Unbelievable, after all the good time you two been through, you called yourselves compete to make each other look stupid? What a statement Nicole has just put there …. Kenny’s entry is more readable then yours la Nicole…. Opss sorry dear Kenny I overacted.
Posted by: jane always the kepo one at 02 October 2007 4:14 PM | Link to comment
*unable to control laughter*
hahahahaaa! :P
you just made Halong Bay, one of my next vacation place.
Posted by: xinyun at 02 October 2007 4:18 PM | Link to comment
Hahaha.. Funny, You going to kill yourself with the heavy wings la.
Posted by: Soul at 02 October 2007 4:36 PM | Link to comment
fly kenny.. fly:) .... hehehehe
anything beautiful place to travel ..
Posted by: liban at 02 October 2007 4:39 PM | Link to comment
HA!HA!VERY INFORMATIVE! HAVE A NICE DAY!
Posted by: HORNY ANG MOH at 02 October 2007 4:54 PM | Link to comment
waiyor how not to laugh! especially after i saw nicole's entry on how you were sitting there on the edge before jumping hahahaha....
Posted by: evelyn at 02 October 2007 5:24 PM | Link to comment
kenny korkor .. you are so adorable !!!
Posted by: misha at 02 October 2007 5:25 PM | Link to comment
ur trip looks much more fun than my friend's who just went there last month......
Posted by: chengsun at 02 October 2007 5:42 PM | Link to comment
hahaha... sorry but I laughed!! haha.. Neways cheers and God Bless dude..cool trip
Posted by: Aodian at 02 October 2007 5:43 PM | Link to comment
very informative! good work kenny! (i'm one of ur silent reader)
Posted by: kuanling at 02 October 2007 5:53 PM | Link to comment
Haha .. Very informative! I just love the way you blog ~ Thanks for sharing those photos with us ~
Posted by: Jayden at 02 October 2007 6:03 PM | Link to comment
Looks like the Phi-Phi Islands, Phang-Nga Bay or Krabi in Thailand.
Posted by: Miss Loi at 02 October 2007 6:34 PM | Link to comment
What!! No pictures of Nicole in two piece bikini meh?
Like this sien liau la.
Posted by: eantautjk at 02 October 2007 6:43 PM | Link to comment
at your last photo... u look like a fat chicken with no feathers... LOL!!
Posted by: Alex at 02 October 2007 7:08 PM | Link to comment
Hahaha! I can't help looking at your photo. :D
Posted by: Kim at 02 October 2007 7:43 PM | Link to comment
nice pics (:
Posted by: kian~ at 02 October 2007 7:44 PM | Link to comment
I'm sorry I LOL!!
the sun set is just absolutely beautiful :)
Posted by: Jess at 02 October 2007 8:00 PM | Link to comment
i tried backflip laz time @ d poolside.. at laz, i landed on d ground... head 1st... XD spent a nite in d hospital... haha...
Posted by: wayne at 02 October 2007 8:02 PM | Link to comment
The last picture is just too funny man!
Posted by: Mel Walia at 02 October 2007 8:05 PM | Link to comment
Sorry Kenny, I couldnt help but laugh. hahahahaha
Posted by: Cumene at 02 October 2007 8:08 PM | Link to comment
I didn't feel like laughing at first. But hahaha anyway. =P
Posted by: Karyn at 02 October 2007 8:17 PM | Link to comment
Man, you should have done the bomb dive into the water
Posted by: didi at 02 October 2007 8:29 PM | Link to comment
the photo posted by nicole of you trying to get to the water has MORE "STYLE" man!!
Posted by: faith at 02 October 2007 8:40 PM | Link to comment
awwsome.
Posted by: :)) at 02 October 2007 9:27 PM | Link to comment
Kenny is pervert think dirty :P
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 02 October 2007 10:02 PM | Link to comment
k la k la k la
enough about hanoi already..
why do u keep mentioning my dad on ur blog. did he pay u?
Posted by: skim at 02 October 2007 10:09 PM | Link to comment
ah yr sunset photos r better than my Bagan Lalang sunset photossss!! >_
lol flying kenny xD how fast were u dropping there huh?
Posted by: DLT2 at 02 October 2007 10:19 PM | Link to comment
hahhahaha!! i love that upside down picture of nicole!! hahahahahaha
Posted by: Patricia at 02 October 2007 10:26 PM | Link to comment
Sorry Kenny. But....
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!
*Ahem* Couldn't help myself =/
Posted by: zendreus at 02 October 2007 10:26 PM | Link to comment
okay.. that was an unsuccessful dive..
Posted by: Yurneric at 02 October 2007 10:53 PM | Link to comment
hi kenny,
this is the first time i'm ever commenting on your blog. just want to tell you that i enjoy reading your entries alot cause they're always so full of pictures; and yeap, just to share an older picture here
you're one lucky guy; having a job that has got such flexible timing so that you can travel all over the world(soon!).
keep up the good job!
Posted by: aijia at 02 October 2007 10:59 PM | Link to comment
[IMG]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/lubie_/walkingonwater.jpg[/IMG]
Posted by: aijia at 02 October 2007 11:00 PM | Link to comment
kenny, you sure that's you or not? why is your diving pattern different from what i saw on Nicole's blog post? I saw you *cough*slowlycrawlingdown*cough* instead of braving yourself jumping off like that.
Posted by: helen at 02 October 2007 11:03 PM | Link to comment
Dude, for the last photo that you took... i just curious how is your landing in the water... how much point you got in total from the judges? 10; 9.5; 9.5; 9; 7.5; 1.5... LoL :-p
Posted by: TZ at 02 October 2007 11:24 PM | Link to comment
did u rock the boat hard from the splash u cause? lol
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 02 October 2007 11:48 PM | Link to comment
LOL~
Posted by: dennis at 03 October 2007 12:04 AM | Link to comment
looks like a sperm jumping into a pool of ovums
Posted by: ... at 03 October 2007 12:28 AM | Link to comment
you should have done a backflip :p
Posted by: Carrie Bradshaw at 03 October 2007 12:31 AM | Link to comment
It is almost impossible to hold the laugh...i am still laughing while typing this... soli... very difficult task from u ; not to laugh
Posted by: emonkey at 03 October 2007 12:38 AM | Link to comment
hahahahahahahaha......................*can't resist* !
Posted by: Redbabe at 03 October 2007 12:44 AM | Link to comment
Why change to Hallo, Halong Bay from Kanina Halong Bay? Ha ha ha
Posted by: Alistairlihai at 03 October 2007 1:39 AM | Link to comment
Heya Kenny... i really love your blog and the pics..
Just a question if you dont mind..
May i know wats the brand/model of the cam you are using for all these photos? I'm planning to buy a new one soon (my Canon IXUS 65 sucks!!!!!!)
Would really be grateful if you could send me an email? Thanks in advance!
-- tweetie
Posted by: tweetie at 03 October 2007 1:41 AM | Link to comment
Hahaha. It's funny. How dare you could jump like that. I definitely won't jump like that. I'm afraid of heights and water.
Posted by: Mackenzey at 03 October 2007 5:33 AM | Link to comment
i didnt see the "finger" the last time i was there! O_O
Posted by: Mieulium at 03 October 2007 8:22 AM | Link to comment
Hallo?? where's the kanina yesterday?
Nice pics by the way.
Did flapping ur arms give a little lift while jumping down? Haha
Posted by: choongkeat at 03 October 2007 8:32 AM | Link to comment
Kenny, U are sooooooooooooooo cute!
Posted by: Bella at 03 October 2007 9:38 AM | Link to comment
You meditated on the TIT TOP?! SCORE!!
You said 'sublime'? I would have thought 'seminal' would be a better word for it!!
Repeat - Nicole is chio..
Posted by: suertes at 03 October 2007 9:52 AM | Link to comment
In picture number 9, the biggest rock formation looks like a sad little puppy...really nice view.
Keep up the good photos =)
Posted by: annonymous at 03 October 2007 10:24 AM | Link to comment
waaoo, it's like you get paid for going to vacation. how can you afford to go on so many vacations? impressive.
Posted by: Somebody at 03 October 2007 11:06 AM | Link to comment
Beautiful sangat!!!! sorie, me ketawa sampai golek2...;)
Posted by: oya ashikin at 03 October 2007 11:15 AM | Link to comment
heee.. how come got bachang jump into the water in Halong bay?
Posted by: Chris at 03 October 2007 11:36 AM | Link to comment
Why is the last pic looks funny ya. Because of the no-feather-wings or the stomping-the-cockroach pose? haha
Posted by: whisperingshout at 03 October 2007 12:25 PM | Link to comment
i would like to say the rock formatio in picture 9 looks like a dying sealion?!
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 03 October 2007 12:25 PM | Link to comment
that was informative....and i did laugh...hahahahaa
Posted by: bjk at 03 October 2007 2:11 PM | Link to comment
At least jump with some styles lar.. how u compete wif those ang mohs.. hahahaha! hAHahHAhahHAHAhaa!
Posted by: Cheryl at 03 October 2007 2:56 PM | Link to comment
how u know i gonna laugh??
MUAHAHAHAHAHA
Posted by: rawpotato at 03 October 2007 3:05 PM | Link to comment
wah, the view is spectacular! i wanna go too!!!
Posted by: cbenc12 at 03 October 2007 4:40 PM | Link to comment
I can't help but look at the pall mall pack and say 'product placement'?
Posted by: PSH at 03 October 2007 6:33 PM | Link to comment
sometimes i worry when u travel. so i try see things by the purposive approach rather than restrictive. pray and look out for yourself whenever you're far =)
Posted by: Samantha Poh at 03 October 2007 9:49 PM | Link to comment
No - I'm not proud that you're the slowest in the group...
But then again in the company of Nicole and on such beautiful waters; why hurry?
Great pics and a great post - as usual. Oh! Thanks for the mention!
Posted by: FH2o at 03 October 2007 9:51 PM | Link to comment
kenny, you stop producing wallpaper size for your photos la? some of the sceneries you took are really beautiful~
Posted by: mal at 03 October 2007 10:10 PM | Link to comment
jump like a duck ...lol ~~~
Posted by: Monk at 03 October 2007 10:14 PM | Link to comment
How'd you know we were going to laugh?! Will definitely be checking out the Pasar Malam. It just might be the way to bring back memories of living in a Malay country. =')
Posted by: soph at 03 October 2007 10:26 PM | Link to comment
i bet u went to the lowest deck and climbed down the ladder and made a minor jump instead..haha..lol..good try dude.
Posted by: bypasser at 03 October 2007 10:45 PM | Link to comment
sorry, i laughed. hahahhahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Posted by: dom at 04 October 2007 3:08 AM | Link to comment
hahha..whhwaaha...soo funy.. you're so good at this!
Posted by: Setoberi at 04 October 2007 7:44 AM | Link to comment
Hanoi..seafood..
Ah Sia, didnt you want a diet ?
Posted by: Seizhin at 04 October 2007 8:01 AM | Link to comment
oh my !
si beh syok man !
how do you guys even get all the cash ?
to swim ?
it's a god forsaken beautiful place man !
Posted by: benjamin and yus at 04 October 2007 8:22 AM | Link to comment
YOU JUMP, I JUMP!!!
...like Titanic...
Heheh...
Posted by: kormmandos at 04 October 2007 10:54 AM | Link to comment
haha fly fei hai kenny fly!
Posted by: kanasai at 04 October 2007 12:13 PM | Link to comment
red pants guy: FREAKING HELL! SWIM FOR UR LIVES!!!
blue pants guy: ACK! Ouch! >Cramp
Kenny: Muahahahahahahaha!!!!!
Posted by: shish_kebab at 05 October 2007 5:27 PM | Link to comment
kenny!! mind sharing those beautiful sunset pictures u took of halong bay (in full specs)! awesome =D
Posted by: shan at 05 October 2007 9:41 PM | Link to comment
the water is very dirty, i got skin infection after swiming there
and it never cure...
Posted by: mingz at 06 October 2007 2:13 AM | Link to comment
Wow! Awesome! Although, *cough*Sarawakdoeshavebettercaves*cough* but it's still worth it, right? And yeah, that so called "finger" limestone looks more like..... Hehehe... Mind me.. So basically, this trip didn't seem pricey at all. But there wasn't much to see. You have to take more photos in detail. And last but not least........ (What? You think I was gonna laugh?) Jeez...
Posted by: Melville at 06 October 2007 8:25 AM | Link to comment
lol, at d last pic i was not laughin till u said 2 not laugh den i start 2 laugh xD
Posted by: krystal at 06 October 2007 12:23 PM | Link to comment
cool le... nice meeting with a cock in the hole...
Posted by: albagmane at 06 October 2007 12:35 PM | Link to comment
fuck!! they are beautiful!! both the place and the girl..
Posted by: adib at 06 October 2007 2:03 PM | Link to comment
Damm!honesly,why should anybody condone what you do..like eating snakes etc. it cool and legal in there. Why not. i would have done the same thing if i'm there!! haha. By the way .. why should people be so busybody about you and nicole. keep the the good work, both of you.
Posted by: Cool at 07 October 2007 1:24 PM | Link to comment
Hey, lovely sunset pics!
Posted by: The Malaysia Page at 07 October 2007 10:13 PM | Link to comment
kenny u s0 funny leh...kakaka...
Posted by: chaser at 15 October 2007 7:21 PM | Link to comment
Can anyone recommend an reputable agency in Vietnam for the Halong tour? I will be traveling with kids under 6.
Thanks!
Posted by: ming zublin at 16 October 2007 3:39 AM | Link to comment
nice photoshop skills . LOL
backflip .. gila babi XD
Posted by: blabla at 19 October 2007 10:00 PM | Link to comment
he said DON'T Laugh. i laughed harder
Posted by: Kay at 27 December 2007 6:21 PM | Link to comment
Very funny when see your jumping style from the boat~~It must be hurt ~
Posted by: panacie at 03 March 2008 5:34 PM | Link to comment
Discover the splendors of the bay aboard a wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort...
For more details, please click http://www.cruiseshalongbay.com
Posted by: CruisesHalongBay at 13 June 2008 5:08 PM | Link to comment
Discover the splendors of the bay aboard a wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort...
For more details, please click http://www.cruiseshalongbay.com
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 13 June 2008 5:10 PM | Link to comment
com
