Vietnam, Part 2
Day 23, January 20
Good morning, Vietnam! (I love saying that!)
Today we had to wake up really early because we had to get ready, pack up our stuff and have breakfast all before 8:30. But I ended waking up before I needed to because I was feeling nauseous again. So I just went ahead and started getting ready. I was done before the other 2 so I went downstairs to get out of the way and to wait for our free breakfast. I wasn’t expecting much from a free hostel breakfast but was pleasantly surprised.
They had a spread of fruits, veggies, eggs, corn, rice, bread and potatoes. It was really, really good.
My sister and I checked in our big bags since we were only taking our smaller backpacks and then loaded the bus for Ha Long Bay for our 2 day 1 night excursion. Our tour guide was a really funny 23 year old named Viet. Pronounced like Vietnam but drop the “nam” part.
We had to make a couple of stops to pick up everyone from the different hostels in Hanoi. Altogether I think there were like 43 people. There were people from the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Hungary, Ireland, China, England and Argentina. So the bus was pretty crammed with a lot of different languages and accents. But that was one of the aspects I enjoyed the most.
We took the bus to the dock to board a small ferry that would then take us to our larger ship that we’d be on for the day. It was really overcast so it was pretty chilly out. The boat has an area inside with tables so I spent most times while cruising inside at the tables. Occasionally I would step outside to take some photos but would quickly have to run back in.
Viet, the amazing tour guide
We took a scenic cruise around Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. It was breathtaking. The water was very calm, the scenery was beautiful and it felt like we were the only boat out there. It was truly a once and a lifetime opportunity to see this natural beauty.
They then served us lunch on the boat. It felt really elaborate for a boat lunch. But I should have realized that’s how they do it over here.
After lunch we cruised another a hour or so (I lost all concept of time on the boat) and ended up at a place were we kayaked through Ha Long Bay. The sun started to come out at times and made it a really enjoyable experience. It was just our group on the water so it wasn’t too crowded or anything. Again, I really like how they structured the timing of it all. It felt like we were the only people out there.
Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
Just a casual kayak pose
Before her arms were incredibly sore
Then we boarded the boat and cruised to another spot where we stopped in the middle of the water so we could jump off the boat and swim. It was really cold at that point so I wasn’t going to at first because I knew once I got my hair wet, I’d be miserably cold for the rest of the trip until we got to the place we’d be sleeping that night. But when your surrounded by this beautiful scenery you suck it up and jump. So I did.
The water was insanely, insanely cold for me so after one jump and less than a minute in the water I was done. I immediately got out and ran to the boat bathroom to change.
Me in the bottom right corner swimming as fast as I can to get out
The Irish’s table
After about an hour we all loaded back up and headed for Cat Ong Island where we’d be sleeping for the night. We had to switch into a smaller speed boat to take us to the rooms. It was really dark at that time so getting on and off the boat was challenging. All day Viet was telling us that there was no electricity and obviously no wifi so we were really excited to see some lights we are in the distance. But the no wifi part was true. Honestly, it was a nice break from it.
When we finally got to Cat Ong Island, we got our room assignment and went to put our stuff down. The dorm room is set up just like the hostel we came from. We chose our beds, set our stuff down and headed to the main area for dinner.
Game room downstairs at our place
We started by having appetizers with french fries (chips as our British friends were saying), shrimp, clams, pork skewers, green pumpkin and carrots. At that point I was full but we still had the main course and dessert to go. The main course was rice, chicken and potatoes, slaw and for dessert we had pitaya (the white dragon fruit stuff).
After dinner they made a bon fire for us and we all just hung around in the open area. Some played card games, some drinking games and I stayed near the fire and talked with the others. Oh and hung out with the dogs.
The Yin and Yang
Around 11pm I was done for the night. I was so cold and tired and just wanted to sleep.
Day 24, January 21
We woke up this morning, did our usual routine of packing up our bags, getting dressed and heading to breakfast. We had these amazing bite size omelettes, “pancakes” with chocolate sauce (what we know as crepes), fruit, veggies and toast. The coffee and tea was not good from what I hear. We think it was made with the salt water.
After breakfast, around 9:30, we went for a short but climbing intensive trek to the top of one of the peaks to get a panoramic view. It wasn’t as hard as I was expecting after hearing other people talk about it. There were a lot of rocks to climb but it was very short. It took maybe 30 minutes to get to the top.
Taryn the rock climber
Trying to figure out where to safely stand
Look at this sisterly help I’m giving
View from the top
We headed back down and had about an hour to relax before lunch. I was able to take a picture in the daylight of my window over my bed that looks out to the water.
At 11:30 we headed over for lunch with all of our stuff because we’d be leaving right after. We had chicken, rice, slaw, fruit and veggie rolls. Again it was delicious. I wasn’t even hungry but that didn’t stop me from making a big plate.
After lunch we waited for our boat to come pick us up to do the boat/bus shuffle. Here’s the breakdown: we took a small boat to get to Cat Ba Island where we all loaded a bus to take us to another small boat that took us to another place where we loaded our final bus. Then we had about a 2 hour ride back to Hanoi.
Our driver on one of the many boat rides
Cat Ba Island
We checked in to Chien Hostel for another night and picked up our bags that we checked there. We went and found our new beds, dropped our stuff off and went out in search for food. We all were pretty set on getting some pho. I saw this place with sliding doors that I thought looked really Asian so we went in there. I got the chicken pho with a hot tea.
After dinner we walked around checking out some of the little shops before heading back to our hostel.
Streets of Hanoi at night
As we were walking back in I suggested we do the laughing gas. It seemed like as good a time as any. It was a really fun way to wrap up the day. I headed up stairs to shower and settle in.
Good night, Vietnam!
Momma Payne
January 22, 2017
You girls are so funny! I am really impressed that you were able to navigate a kayak. It looks like Vietnam is an interesting place.
Jillian
January 23, 2017
Vietnam is very interesting. Some parts chaotic and crowded and then other parts beautiful and serene.