Incongruous

After our cancelled overnight train trip a few days ago we had another weather related adjustment today. We were meant to be on a overnight boat trip in Halong Bay but the impending arrival of typhoon Khanun has meant that all cruises on the bay have been cancelled. The typhoon is predicted to pass to the south of us but the Vietnamese government don't want boats on the bay in case it changes course which seems sensible.

As a result we are spending tonight in a hotel in Halong in the hope that we can go on a day cruise tomorrow. Halong is a strange place with large amounts of redevelopment. This is good news for local workers but I think they are going to end up with a characterless resort and many of the developments are hideous. My main picture shows the contrast between old and new. I believe the spaceship is a new culture centre.

The extras show the spectacular scenery which is the main draw of Halong Bay together with a view of Hanoi Station at 5:30 in the morning as we got off our overnight train.