Vietnam Trip: Day 4 | Time for Some Adventure

It was time for something different, new and exciting! Before I went on this trip I decided I wanted to go rock climbing and kayaking in the Halong Bay with a company called SloPony, which was also mentioned in the bible of travelers (a.k.a. Lonely Planet). Slo Pony is also the company that first pioneered rock climbing in the Halong Bay. I contacted SloPony a few weeks before I left and the response I got back from Brian was extremely insightful with a lot of great information. I can highly recommend Slo Pony to anyone wanting to do something different while visiting Cat Ba Island or Halong Bay. The people that work there are very professional and honest. You won’t be disappointed with their service. There are also other activities you can book through them. Just check out their website at www.slopony.com.

I arranged breakfast with Mark (I guy that I met on our boat trip to Cat Ba Island) that day and asked him if he would like to join me and go rock climbing/kayaking in the Lan Ha Bay (considered the most beautiful part of the Halong Bay). He initially wanted to go on a 2-day cruise in the Halong Bay, but couldn’t find a boat on that short notice, so he tagged along with me. Slo Pony was extremely accommodating at adding Mark and I to list of people wanting to go rock climbing/kayaking that day.

In the morning we went kayaking, which was pretty fun and had some lunch on our boat. And it was also during our lunch when our Aussie climbing guide came on board and introduced herself explaining the agenda for the rest of day. On the way to our climbing site we had the opportunity to take a swim, which was refreshing, even though it was a little fresh outside. Most non-Europeans (=wussies) would have considered the water temperature to be cold. Our climbing site was extremely peaceful and quiet with a beautiful scenery at our feet (once your reached the top).

The group decided that I had to go first and climb the hardest rock on the cliff, because they thought due to my previous (and I might add limited) indoor climbing experience with my past girlfriend, I would be the best at it. I eventually gave into the peer pressure and did as I was told.

A few hours and climbs later, we all went back to the boat and cruised back to Cat Ba Island, laying on the top of the deck with cold beers, in my case, a hot tea and enjoying the beautiful scenery.