Halong Bay

Halong Bay, home of the descending dragon, is the kind of place that you're pretty sure isn't real. Even when you are there, it still could be a green screen. Beautiful beyond all sense. 

But first there is a bus ride and a rickety boat ride that feels unsafe. 

We were so happy to be on our big boat and discover that our cabin was beautiful!!! Time to party!

There are 3000 limestone islands jutting out from the sea.

Photos cannot even touch the peaceful and majestic feeling of the experience. 

Included on the tour was the boat, room, all meals, a sunset party (so a glass of wine... we may have scooped the extras), kayaking, swimming, "Oh My Buddha" caves, and learning how to make spring rolls. All for a little over $100. Bargain. 

We should have stayed another night. 

We would go back in a heartbeat. 

Living on the mainland was too expensive so these people lived in their floating fishing villages. Fresh water was brought everyday. They may be poor but what a view...

We climbed up many stairs with many old people warning us about the unevenness of the rocks. Everyone from every country giggled at rocks shaped like a willy. 

There was an option to climb up a mountain to a pagoda. We chose chilling at the beach. 

100% recommend going to Halong Bay. Next time I'd like to go to Monkey Island or Cat Ba Island. I want to spend more time on the top deck watching the islands go by. I love how they would just appear out of the mists, mysterious and awesome. 

Kata Tjuta

A little ways down the road from Uluru is Kata Tjuta, another amazing rock formation. 

The highest peak is actually higher than Uluru, even though it doesn't seem like it. The rock winds in and out so there are many secret gorges and areas. 

There is a lovely little walk into one of the gorges to a watering hole. Seeing as how the rest of the area around the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is deserty scrub, having the knowledge of where to find water was extremely important. It makes sense why this is a sacred place. 

As we walked farther between the rocks it became more silent and peaceful. I could almost imagine kangaroos and emus coming here to drink and have down under strange animal parties in this oasis. 

Uluru

Uluru was our ultimate destination for this road trip. After driving nearly 2000 km we reached Yulara, the resort town that has popped up to sustain visitors to Uluru. We checked into our campsite which we were happy to have booked ahead and went to see the rock.

It is big. It is red. And truly, it is amazing.  It's bigger than I imagined, and less perfect. It's silent and peaceful and important. There is nothing around the area and then suddenly there is this place. 

There are caves and waterfalls. Rock paintings and sacred sites. I had the overwhelming feeling that as people we need to take care of each other. 

"It's not that Uluru is bigger than you had supposed or more perfectly formed or in any way different from the impression you had created in you mind, but the very opposite. It is exactly what you expected it to be. You know this rock. You know it in a way that has nothing to do with calendars and the cover of souvenir books. Your knowledge of this rock is grounded in something much more elemental.

In some odd way that you don't understand and can't begin to articulate you feel an acquaintance with it - a familiarity on an unfamiliar level."

                  In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

There is something about this rock that you can't stop looking at... 

It was well worth travelling all those kilometres to see and experience this natural wonder. 

We are lucky indeed. 

Devil's Marbles

We stopped at the Devil's Marbles near Wauchope, NT. They are these very strange rock formations in the middle of nowhere. 

It honestly feels like they were just dropped here by aliens... or maybe the devil himself.

They almost look like they want to eat you!

I think that this is the kind of alien landscape that Captain Kirk would have battled a baddie on Star Trek. 

Look what TJ did! He's so strong!