After leaving the cruise ship (?) and re joining the rest of the tour group
we went to an Cultivated Pearl Farm and got to see the beginning to end of a pearl's life
Above are pictures of different types of oyster/pearl shells and where they are from
Before 1893 only natural pearls were sought after..."Kokichi Mikimoto was a Japanese entrepreneur
who is credited with creating the first cultured pearl and subsequently starting the pearl industry with the establishment of his luxury pearl company Mikimoto"

These types of oysters produce Black Pearls

These types of oysters produce Ivory pearls

Mom, this these type of shells are harvested for the Mother of pearl.
Where your necklace came from!

Ha Long Bay Cruise
Day 3 of Tour

Up close and personal with the Emerald waters
of Ha Long Bay

Does this picture make you think of pirates and mermaids...that's what I thought of!

Panoramic View of the main cave
I kind of feel like I'm under water in the photo, the blue lights give
it a strange feeling

Descending Dragons are all around us here...

Our small boat (light colored roof) way...way down...waiting

Although this is not the best quality picture, it does show you just how far down
the rest of the tourists are. Or how high Glen and I are coming out of the cave

The main cavern is called by some the "Cave of Unfathomable Depth"
This section is just one part of the 10,000m2 area under ground
I hope the pictures show just how amazing it was/is

The cave's ceiling is approximately 30 m high
This area of the cave is known as the Serene Castle

The walls in places are almost perfectly smooth, as if built/carved by man.

On our way to Hang Sung Sot "Cave of Surprises"
along with five other boats filled with tourists
All scrambling up the very steep and slippery rock stairs that are shrouded
in thick foliage
The climb is well worth the effort

Supper on the boat

Creamy Broccoli with Scallop Soup

Steamed prawn, wrapped 5 spice beef in noodle and dipping sauce

Chicken and onion salad

Pan fried sea bass, mashed potato, pok choy and carrot

Hand made crepe with Banana butter and fresh cream
Enjoy!

Another traditional Junk

Our Captains's quarters on our ship
Yes that is the steering wheel

Panoramic view of the bay and other cruise ships, fishing boats

We got to go the caverns cut into the limestone with a guide who did not speak any english...
but she pointed out a number of things 

Our wee wooden boat had 10 good sized people in it, but our rower (elderly woman)
had no problem moving us for over an hour.
 At some points during the tour the water became very shallow and I thought for sure that
some of the men were going to have to get out and push...but that never occurred...thankfully