Monday 18 November Hanoi
Early morning walk - couldn't find the river - too far away across busy roads - but found the black stupa.
Said our goodbyes to some of the group who were leaving then packed (again!!) ready for our flight to Vietnam.
Said our goodbyes to Helen who was doing the same trip but had been sold it in a different way to us so was in a new group which was travelling the same route but a day later. We worked out that we'd see her in any two day or longer stopovers.
Breakfast (best one yet - loads of choice!) then another walk through the morning market to the temple museum.
Off to the airport. Said goodbye to Ning our leader who was going home before starting her next trip.
Sign in the loos.
Haha - mixed up pics here - no idea where the loo sign went but Gail is modelling the menu very nicely. One of the disadvantages of trying to write a blog on a small phone where you can't always see the photos well!!
Short hour flight to Hanoi. Bit of a shock to walk outside to a cloudy sky. More of a shock when it started raining!!
A LOT of rain. The first of our trip.
Short walk for a meal - rain had stopped - then bed.
Tuesday 19 November Halong Bay
Into the minibus and a stop en route to a pottery factory. Tried the local coffee with condensed milk. Uurrgghh.
Onwards to Halong Bay then onto our boat. Us seasoned travellers rolled our eyes and said 'another boat trip' but it was completely different to the previous one and just as lovely.
Cruise around the karsts.
Hot stone massage for me then book and a cocktail - and visit to the caves for the others.
Another delicious meal then a few games of cards and an early night.
Wednesday 20 November Hanoin- Overnight train
Back to our bus then back to Hanoi and free time before the train in the evening.
But first - on the boat - a lesson in making edible food flowers. We were very impressed - especially with the carrot 'netting'!
Once back into the city we had a free afternoon. We walked into the French quarter and down to the lake.
Absolutely MAD traffic!!
You just have to take a deep breath and go for it, hoping that you look confident enough to persuade the traffic to go round you! The key is to walk into the traffic at a steady pace - and keep that pace so the traffic coming towards you can work out whether to go in front or behind.
Problems only arise when you panic and rush or stop dead!
And even though there may be zebra crossings and occasional little green men at the traffic lights they are only there for decoration so you can't rely on them for any help!
We stopped at a café that had been recommended for its egg coffee. Definitely different!! Very thick sort of liquidised scrambled egg taste (ish!) with a milk shake consistency. And surprisingly filling! But we wouldn't rush to go back for more lol.
Funny little quirky cafe though - covered in sticky post it notes that you could add to all over the walls and ceiling. Another good wish for Carol.
Onto the train. Nothing near as good as the one in Thailand. Small hard beds where you had to lock yourself in in cabins of 4. Very rickety train so not much sleep.
We were also advised to take food rather than buy it on the train as it was so bad. But we survived!
But the scenery was interesting. We went through lots of rain and poorer areas
Thursday 21 November Hue
We arrived at 11am and got off the train straight into a bus for an early lunch then a tour round the Citadel and palace complex.
Noone was really interested - we just wanted to get to the hotel and have a shower!
Eventually got to the hotel and went for a quick swim. Had the pool to myself for a while.
Out for a meal with a local family in the evening. Lovely food.
Friday 22 November Hue
Tour by motorbike today - as a passenger!
I loved it. Don't think Mike was so keen.
Friday 22 November Hue
Tour by motorbike today - as a passenger!
I loved it. Don't think Mike was so keen.
Lovely vegetarian meal in a monastery.
Decided to walk to the market which was over the river where the bridge was for motorbikes only. We then wanted to cross over to walk back on the other side of the bridge but after trying for about ten minutes we gave up and walked back the way we'd come!
Not even the head down and go approach would work here as the bikes were wheel to wheel.
Met up with a couple of the group and found a bar with cheap beer for the evening.
Saturday 23 November Hoi An
Four hour drive to Hoi An with stops en route.
Oyster and mussel beds.
American pill boxes and defences.
Orientation walk around Hoi An then free time.
Evening stroll looking at the lanterns in the streets and in the boats in the river.
Went for a meal in a tiny 'restaurant' sort of at the side of a family's house - with about six items on the menu. Delicious meal and two beers - under £4 for everything!
Sunday 24 November Hoi An
Free day. Doing nothing but wandering!!
Tourists...
Riverside restaurant for a meal. Interesting to see the restaurants and street food side by side. We could probably have had the same meal just yards away with a better view of the river for a quarter of the price. But Mike didn't want to add to his mosquito bite collection so we stayed in the air conditioned splendour!
... continued in part 4...
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