Like Machu Picchu, the true power of Bai Tu Long Bay comes from the indescribable feeling of being there.  There’s no way that a photograph, even a fancy panoramic one, can fully capture the feeling of gliding among these giant rocks, with row upon row receding into the mist. 

Still, since not everyone can come to Vietnam to see the karsts in person (and since I want to be able to remember them), I took approximately a gazillion photos.  In this post, and in the couple that follow, I’ll share the highlights of what I managed to capture (with a couple choice inclusions from Vanessa’s photos, too).