Geo answer

Our Geo Quiz today takes us down to the water’s edge.

The body of water we’re looking for today is a part of the South China Sea that’s off the northeastern coast of Vietnam. It lies about 100 miles south of the Chinese border.

And it marks the place where Jon Bowermaster began an 800-mile long sea kayak expedition:

?The waters are very, very green and surround these 350 tall, limestone islands that jut out of the sea. The difficult thing for us of course is there’s no beaches there so we had to camp on a small boat as we moved through the bay.?

There are floating villages scattered throughout this bay, scenic caves, even monkeys. And it’s a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

We’ll hear more about Vietnam as seen from a sea kayak here…

The eastern coast of Vietnam looks something like the ridges on a dragon’s back as it curves down along the South China Sea.

Travelling among the 3,000 islets of Vietnam’s Ha Long BayTravelling among the 3,000 islets of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay

Jon Bowermaster traced that curving path in an unusual way: by sea kayak.

Schoolchildren in Sam Son, on the coast, south of Ha Long BaySchoolchildren in Sam Son, on the coast, south of Ha Long Bay

Bowermasters’ 800-mile long journey along the coast of Vietnam back in 2001 is the subject of a new book called Descending the Dragon.

Rice fields in the distance at Hue, a coastal city north of Da NangRice fields in the distance at Hue, a coastal city north of Da Nang

The answer to our Geo Quiz is Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Listen to the interview:

A view of the Ma River DeltaA view of the Ma River Delta

Listen to more:

Jon Bowermaster reflects on how tourism is transforming Vietnam:

Jon Bowermaster talks about his Government minder Linh and what he learned from him during the 2 months they spent kayaking together:

Bowermaster contemplates where he’ll go next: