Day 53 10/11/2014

We met Jackie and Brian over breakfast who had also booked the same trip as us for today and were slightly relieved that other people of a similar age group were also going.  They are extensive travellers and are currently in Vietnam after a tour of the States.  We headed to meet the rest of the group and after a very short bus ride got the boat out to where we would start our first kayak.  The scenery is stunning with hundreds of karst islands with limestone pinnacles and numerous sand beaches.  We were in a two person kayak and paddled around the islands, through rock arches and into secluded lagoons.  The weather was again overcast but this didn't spoil the scenery and probably made it a big more enjoyable to paddle.  Along the way we passed some of the others from the boat who were deep water soloing where you basically climb without a rope and then either fall off or jump off into the sea.  Not one for contact lens wearers!  We stopped off on a small sandy beach for a swim and then headed back to the boat for lunch.  The water was quite choppy and made it hard work getting back.  After lunch we sailed further along the bay and then headed off in our kayaks again exploring caves and lagoons - this time dry due to the low tide.  The rocks are unbelievable sharp and extremely painful to walk on.  We were amazed how many people live and work on the water although there were long periods where you didn't see anybody.   We then headed back to the boat and sail back to town enjoying a well deserved beer on route.  We had dinner at a restaurant just nearby the hotel before calling it a day.  The shoulders are already starting to ache!