Kayak Music
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US $2.99
Cruise through life
I come to Halong at noon; the sun is high in the sky and burning bright. At the pier countless wooden junks, sailboats, speedboats and tiny bamboo boats bob around. After a four hour stint in the van from Hanoi, everybody is understandably itching to kick back and feel the sea breeze on board.
Indochinasails
Just then a speed-boat arrives with a flourish and we pile on board before zooming off to the Indochina Sail, a large, handsome junk that the captain proudly announces is 44 meters long and 8.5 meters wide – and indeed it seems a fine, seaworthy vessel to me.
On board the Indochina Sail, we have a restaurant, the Indochina Sail Bar, a gift shop and even a library. Guests can also avail of binoculars, snorkeling equipment or top-of-the-line Canadian made kayaks. As we set off into the bay, I tentatively start with the binoculars.
Most of my fellow travelers are content to flop around the deck, sipping drinks, surveying the impressive view or catching a bit of sun. A trip to Halong is first and foremost about relaxing! Sun-shy, I stretch out on a lie-low on the more shaded lower deck and listen to the buffeting breeze and the sound of the boat chopping through the waves. Time passes and I happily doze off in the salty air.
A call for lunch stirs me out of my light slumber. A five-course lunch is devoured by the hungry guests. We hadn’t even worked up an appetite.
Afterwards, we drop anchor at Ti Top Island.
Heading back to my cabin to shower and change for dinner, I discover a card reads: “Wine Tasting is waiting for you now.” We clamber up the deck for a special feast with Chile, South African and American wine all round. The sun drops behind the surrounding islands as we sit in the dwindling twilight.
Slightly tipsy, I step down the restaurant for dinner in the sweet melodies of traditional Vietnamese Dan Bau (Monochord music instrument). At night the bay is magical.
The voices of vendors who have rowed up to our junk to sell snacks, seafood, souvenirs and cigarettes make me wake up. “Today is a hard but very interesting day for us. We are coming to Ngoc Vung Island and kayaking around Cong Do fishing-village,” the crew informs us of our itinerary for the second day.
After disembarking the Indochina Sails Junk onto a smaller wooden boat, we sail towards the shore of Ngoc Vung Island along with my fellow travelers and a bunch of mountain bikes. We are off for a cycling tip across this mysterious island which sits amongst the awe inspiring Halong archipelago.
From the wharf, we cycle along a coastal road that skirts the island’s hilly terrain. The road is spectacular. There is never a chance to get bored with stunning views of land and sea.
Off the shoreline fishermen are caulking their bamboo boat with tar or scrapping worms off the panels of their wooden boats. Along the road several women are mending fishing nets or drying peanuts. Up the hilly slopes, children blithely tend to oxen or geese. On the verdant paddy fields farmers pull up weeds or busy themselves with fresh water ponds of fish and shrimp.
For those worried about cycling on country roads on remote islands, Ngoc Vung boasts fairly smooth infrastructure all round. There is very little traffic. Just the odd three-wheeled vehicle or motorbike passes by. Life on the island is simple. If you’re after tranquility, you will find it in spades.
The road from the wharf to beach is rather short, just 5km, so even if you’re not a keen cyclist you should find it easy enough. There is no need to rush, no need to stress out. We stop frequently and bask in the island’s natural beauty. Away from the sea, you can find luxuriant fields of rice and pine trees.
When we finally arrive at the white sandy beach, it sparkles and glistens under the sunshine. There is not a soul bathing on the beach. For tourists looking for a remote hidden getaway spot this fits the bill.
The island is 12square kilometers in area with over 1,000 inhabitants living mainly off fishing, farming, aquaculture and afforesting. But there are no bars or restaurants, no showers or toilets. But that’s why we’re here: To escape the crowds and bask in our own little private paradise.
After swimming, sun-bathing and walking along the beach, with heavy hearts we cycle back towards the boat. But just when we think the fun is over our tour guide introduces us to the kayaks.
Sailing way from Ngoc Vung Island, we clamber into the kayaks and paddle off to Cong Do, a floating fishing village in Bai Tu Long bay, 25km southeast of Halong wharf.
You can find shrimp, crab, fish, squid and aquatic plants. We paddle around soaking up the atmosphere and dreaming of a seafood dinner that we will have back in Indochina Sails again tonight. Our second day passes with adventurous and passionate activities and we think of the last day with more unforgettable moments.
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Promotion: The Indochina Sails offers a special promotion for Last minutes booking with free kayaking and Free Room upgrade for all booking around 24h. And to see its Sensational Summer Savings promotion package for the 3day 2 night cruise, access website: www.indochinasails.com.
About the Author
Bobby Nguyen
Marketing Manager
27, A6 Dam Trau Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel : (84-4) 984 2362
Fax : (84-4) 984 4150
Website: www.indochinasails.com
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Kayak $59 The original sculptures which were brought to the united states in 1997 are the creation of the german artist, guenter scholz. Since their introduction the collection has been carefully redesigned to reflect the American lifestyle and sense of humor. Preserving the old world craftsmanship, each piece continues to be handcrafted from recycled steel and copper that is bent, cut, welded and brushed until the desired effect is achieved. The whimsical caricatures of people at play and at work are recognized by the signature eyeglasses they all wear and the certificate of authenticity included with every piece. There are no aspects of life that are untouched by his interpretations. Work, sports, music, fun, love, office, seaside, wheels and wings all provide inspiration for the artist. |
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NIGHT VISION BY KAYAK (CD) $55.32 Artist: KAYAK Genre: Popular Music Release Date: 19DEC2001 |
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Kayak Love Music License Plate Frame by CafePress $18 I Love My Kayak Fun license plate frame for sports enthusiasts who love to paddle their kayak. Music License Plate Frame . A real roadside attraction, get your driver's attitude or cause across on this cool License Plate Frame. Constructed of sturdy, durable, shiny chrome that makes your message POP. Images are applied with a permanent adhesive weatherproof decal. UV and w |
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Kayak Adventurer Sports Hooded Sweatshirt by CafePress $45 Do you kayak in all types of weather, even at night? You really are a Kayak Adventurer Brag with our hoodie. Kangaroo pocket front for your music gear. Sports Hooded Sweatshirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt The hoodie: the perfect utilitarian piece of clothing. Leave your hat and scarf at home Stay warm and comfy in your Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt. This hoodie is constructed with a cotton/polyester blend - both durable and comfortable.Heavyweight 90 |
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Commitment: Kayak $14.99 Commitment: Kayak - Art Print |
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Oxford Kayak $24.99 Oxford Kayak - Photographic Print |
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Kayak the Fork Music Hoodie dark by CafePress $45 Stay warm on the inside. Look oh-so-cool on the outside. Don this comfortable fleece sweatshirt for that dress-down BBQ -- or your next dress-to-impress trip to the mall.10 oz. fleece blend 90% cotton/10% polyesterFleece-lined hoo Music Hoodie dark Stay warm on the inside. Look oh-so-cool on the outside. Don this comfortable fleece sweatshirt for that dress-down BBQ -- or your next dress-to-impress trip to the mall.10 oz. fleece blend 90% cotton/10% polyester. Fleece-lined hoo |
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kayak Sticker Oval Music Oval Sticker by CafePress $5 Our stickers are printed on 4mil vinyl using water and UV resistant inks 150; meaning no fading in the sun or bleeding in the rain. Measures 3quot; x 5quot; oval Printed on durable 4mil vinyl Music Oval Sticker Our stickers are printed on 4mil vinyl using water and UV resistant inks 150; meaning no fading in the sun or bleeding in the rain. Measures 3 x 5 oval. Printed on durable 4mil vinyl. |
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kayak Music iPad 5-in-1 Case by CafePress $59.5 With a two-sided hardshell design, this premium Brenthaven iPad case is versatile and cool. The protective, rubberized cover allows five ways to view the iPad, whether you're in the car, on the go, or at the office. Built-in EZ-Grip handle and typing stan Music iPad 5-in-1 Case With a two-sided hardshell design, this premium Brenthaven iPad case is versatile and cool. The protective, rubberized cover allows five ways to view the iPad, whether you're in the car, on the go, or at the office. Built-in EZ-Grip handle and typing stan |
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Kayak at Hand Music Men's Dark Pajamas by CafePress $39.5 When you snooze, you won't lose in this cozy men's pajama set. These soft pj's come with a comfy black amp; white plaid flannel bottom, plus your choice of black or white crew-neck tee top. The custom, personalized pajamas also make for great sweat pants Music Men's Dark Pajamas When you snooze, you won't lose in this cozy men's pajama set. These soft pj's come with a comfy black amp; white plaid flannel bottom, plus your choice of black or white crew-neck tee top. The custom, personalized pajamas also make for great sweat pants |
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KAYAK VISION Music Men's Performance Jacket by CafePress $45 Exercise your right to look great -- and feel great -- while on the go. Lightweight and easy to get around in, this workout-friendly jacket is perfect for running to the store or running a 5K. A warm fleece inner-lining also lets you run in every season. Music Men's Performance Jacket Exercise your right to look great -- and feel great -- while on the go. Lightweight and easy to get around in, this workout-friendly jacket is perfect for running to the store or running a 5K. A warm fleece inner-lining also lets you run in every season. |
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kayak Music Men's Light Pajamas by CafePress $39.5 When you snooze, you won't lose in this cozy men's pajama set. These soft pj's come with a comfy black amp; white plaid flannel bottom, plus your choice of black or white crew-neck tee top. The custom, personalized pajamas also make for great sweat pants Music Men's Light Pajamas When you snooze, you won't lose in this cozy men's pajama set. These soft pj's come with a comfy black amp; white plaid flannel bottom, plus your choice of black or white crew-neck tee top. The custom, personalized pajamas also make for great sweat pants |
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KAYAK FEATURED Music Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable. Music Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable. |
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Kayak Morning $29.99 Steve Gadomski Kayak Morning - Photographic Print |
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Kayak Blue $184.99 Deborah Cavenaugh Kayak Blue - Framed Art Print |
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Kayak Paddles $19.99 David Madison Kayak Paddles - Photographic Print |
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Tinglit Kayak $34.99 Inuit School Tinglit Kayak - Giclee Print |
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Kayak Dreams $29.99 Orah Moore Kayak Dreams - Giclee Print |
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Kayak Medium $56 Download the Kayak Medium font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Kayak Volume $144 Download the Kayak Volume font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Kayak Bold $56 Download the Kayak Bold font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Kayak Light $56 Download the Kayak Light font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Oregon, Kayak Scene $19.99 Oregon, Kayak Scene - Premium Poster |
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Kayak Rescue Training Organized by a Canoe and Kayak Club $39.99 Bill Hatcher Kayak Rescue Training Organized by a Canoe and Kayak Club - Photographic Print |
