HaLong Bay

We went to Halong Bay yesterday and it was quite spectacular...We had our own private junk for the 10 of us. We felt pretty special!!   HaLong Bay is filled with large volcanic rocks coming out of the water.  We were so...happy to be out of the busy city.  We explored caves, kayaked in the bay, swam and had delicious meals.  All was great until this morning when Thomas, Louise and Peter's oldest son, felt sick/ nauseous and crampy.  We had a nice breakfast, and headed back for the city.  Thomas still was not well.  When we stopped for a tea/coffee break, we were wandering around looking at the pottery when Thomas fainted.   He was scooped up by the locals and sat in a chair,  Before we knew it he was surrounded by vietnamese women speaking very fast and putting smelly green liquid on his temples and under his nose. We got him back into the bus, and quickly headed back to Hanoi about 1 1/2 hours away.. We stopped at the SOS international clinic. I have never seen such great service and the hospital was beautiful.  The entrance way was all in Marble!!  He was greeted at our bus as soon as we pulled in by three nurses who picked him up out of the bus and brought right to ER.  We were seen by a French Physician immediately,who was amazing!!   He had blood work and an IV and within less than 20 minutes he was diagnosed with a bacterial infection and dehydration which they believe came from swimming in the waters of Halong Bay.  The doctor said it is not uncommon for people especially children to get ecoli from being at Halong Bay.  Apparently, they dump raw sewage into the bay...we were directly told it was safe to swim and so we all did.  Beware of jellyfish they said, they never mentioned the ecoli!!! He is feeling much better now and is back at the hotel with us.  We are off to the mountains tomorrow for a short day trip. Peter and Louise's mother is staying back with the kids.  They prefer to be near the pool and close to the hospital if needed.  Good news is that we were glad we never made it to Sapa because the physician told us that many people are stranded in the north and had to be air lifted out by helicopter.   Hopefully that is the end of that type of excitement!  Sorry for no pictures.  We will try tomorrow evening as this Hotel does not charge for internet use. 

Take care and see you all soon.

Cathy and Larry