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1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Paddling through dark caves to hidden lagoons. We had them to ourselves most of the time. The guide had 14 years experience as a kayak guide and knew the best places, away from the crowds. On the last day, the guide took me to a cave and lagoon he had only recently discovered. I also enjoyed the meals on the boat. The food was fresh and delicious, especially the seafood. The young crew were also a lot of fun.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Don't assume it will be warm. I went in November and it was quite cold (winter had started). Day time temperatures were about 14 or 15 degrees centigrade. The water was still very warm and so the kayaking was still very pleasant but you will need a couple of layers to keep warm.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. The crew and the guide were all local.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Very enjoyable. I had opted for a three day kayaking trip which meant there was time to cruise to parts of Ha Long Bay away from most of the other boats. (Most boats are on one or two day cruises and so don't venture as far away from port.) Having such an experienced guide also meant I had no concerns about safety. We used a double kayak, with the guide doing the paddling in the dark caves. I had read some horror reviews on the internet from travellers who had got into serious difficulties in dark caves with strong currents. Also accounts of tour operators who simply put tourists into kayaks as an optional extra on what are essentially standard cruises rather than genuine kayaking trips. This company 's speciality is kayaking and can tailor make a trip for any level of experience. I certainly recommend it.

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