Ha Long Bay

Located less than 200 km from Hanoi - the Vietnamese capital, ha Long Bay is conclusively one of the world's natural wonders. Almost 2000 karst islands, islets and rocks jut out of the beautiful, calming green waters. Unesco recognised it as a World Heritage Site for its landscapes and beauty back in 1994, and once again in 2000 for its geology

Legend has it the bay was created by the dragon's tail as she descended from her mountain home - Halong literally means "dragon descending". Neighbouring Bai Tu Long ("Baby Dragon") Bay is where her offspring landed searching for her lost mother. More prosaically geologists say the rocks were formed by sedimentary limestone in the Palaeozoic period, some 300 to 500 million years ago. About half of them are named, normally based on their shape, such as stone dog, incense burner, fighting chickens (the symbol of Ha Long Bay) and a giant turtle

Although dozens of caves and grottos have been discovered so far, many more await intrepid cavers. Some have remnants of the time when the bay was not covered in water - small freshwater shells - evidence that the area was once dry, almost impossible to believe as you said through the narrow channels.

Only discovered at the end of the nineteenth century, Sung Sot is said to be two million years old. Split into three sections with a well-lit, interlinking path, it covers some 10000 square metres. The largest of the caves, it is extremely popular with day-trippers.

One of the best ways of getting close to the rocks is by kayak. Most cruises offer a kayaking option, either around the rocks or through the lower caves that descend into the water. Once you pass through the 50m long Hang Luon Cave in your kayak, you enter the most spectacular of lagoons, as if entering a long-lost world.

Picture credit: Flick.com

The waters themselves contain marine, coral and mangrove ecosystems providing an enormous array of aquatic species that reap a rich harvest for the fisherman who still lives on the waters. One of the more interesting things to do while sailing through the bay is to visit one of the floating villages. You can even go out fishing with the villagers or alternatively catch squid from the back of your boat at night.

Although most of the boats focus on day trips around the bay, over 100 have cabins, so you can spend an amazing night sleeping under the stars or taking a romantic midnight dip in the clear waters glistening with moonlight.

Above all it is the size of the bay that is crucial - some 1533 square kilometres - so there is always some space for you to settle into your karma, with only the soothing hum of the engine and your ship's flag fluttering in the breeze in the background.