28/04/2026
💞Day 2 – Cat Ba Island, 🛥️ Vietnam💞
I think I’ll remember this day for my lifetime.
It started with something I’ve never done before — a cruise. I’d been excited about it ever since I booked with Cat Ba Express (highly recommend -via klook). They picked us up right from the hotel in Hanoi in a small bus, maybe 20 people or so. I looked around and realized I was the only Indian there. Everyone else was from Europe, a few Americans too. Strangers, but somehow it didn’t feel uncomfortable.
The way they welcomed us was warm and easy. No rush, no chaos. Just a smooth start to the day. It set the tone.
On the way, we stopped at a small local village. That part stayed with me. It wasn’t staged or touristy. Just everyday life — people going about their routines, kids, small homes, quiet roads. It felt real.
Then came the unexpected part — I tried cobra snake wine. I didn’t think much before taking a sip, but the moment it touched my tongue, it hit like a bullet. Sharp, strong, almost shocking. Definitely not something I’ll forget anytime soon.
Later, we got on cycles. It was just a short ride, maybe 15 minutes, but honestly, it didn’t need to be longer. Every second felt full. Mountains all around, deep green everywhere, water reflecting the sky. It was peaceful in a way that’s hard to explain without being there.
By the end of the day, I felt something shift. I had always wanted to experience a cruise, and now that I have, I don’t feel that craving anymore. Not because it wasn’t good — but because it gave me more than I expected.
It felt complete. ⛴️🛥️
