Vietnam

Bats, Birds & Goats

Today another short bike ride, this time to the Mua Cave https://www.ninhbinh-tour.com/post/mua-cave-steps … although there is a cave, the main attraction is the 486 step climb to the dragon at the top. But first breakfast … river-side chairs and a…

Vietnam

Trang An Boat Tour

Apparently, one cannot leave Ninh Bin without taking a boat tour, and as it’s only a 2 km bike ride from where we are staying, that’s what we did. At first, the sight of dozens of orange-jacketed tourists floating down…

Vietnam

Ninh Binh

Luxury overnight train into Sapa. Travel in style! Comfy berths, tray of snacks, bottled water, complimentary juices (not in sealed bottles … bit worrisome on a rocking train as there’s not much room on the tiny table!) … slippers too.…

Vietnam

Sapa

Decided to leave our suitcases with our landlady La and travel light to Sapa and Ninh Bin (6 days). The Grab cab dropped us at the location of her home in the Kiem Hoan lake area … but not quite…

Hanoi,  Vietnam

For the Foodies

We seem to have eaten our way through Vietnam … from South to North. Tuan introduced us to the floating market’s Pho and the outstanding land market with every conceivable thing that lived, walked, swam or grew … and then…

Hanoi,  Vietnam

Hanoi Potpourri

We’ve been to the infamous Train Street a couple of times now … during the day, standing at the gates as the train went by. Trains run periodically from 5:30 am until around 10:30pm … different lengths and directions. Originally,…

Hanoi,  Vietnam

La Han Bay

Early breakfast this morning … we’re off for a boat ride. Same procedure as before … picking up people along the way. Total chaos appeared to be the order of the day at the dock as coaches and buses disgorged…

Hanoi,  Vietnam

Cat Ba Island

We’re off to another home stay for two nights … leaving the suitcases at the Hanoi apartment and just taking backpacks. Pick up spot is the Circle K, no later than 7:10am, a guide will greet us. Arrived 2 minutes…

Hanoi,  Vietnam

On to Hanoi

An early morning bike ride through the village and countryside, where scooters laden with all manner of provisions – from food to fuel – were ridden through neighbourhoods – the drivers announcing their wares loudly. Door-to-door delivery! Tuan drove us…

Vietnam

Floating Market

Five thirty start, still dark. Good job Tuan’s boat is just across the road. Picnic basket with hot tea and coffee as we chugged down the river towards the market. Most of the true trading had already been done (around…