BIRTHDAY!!

Not every day you get to spend your ??th birthday sunning yourself while cruising round some beautiful islands with some of your best mates, eating gorgeous food and just loving life! But hey, someone has to do it!!
Today we went to Lan Ha Bay which is known for its limestone karsts in a beautiful bay. Actually Halong bay is the famous one but with up to 1000 ships cruising round there we opted for its much quieter cousin and were not disappointed! And hardly any people! Bliss!
# warning! This post may be very picture top heavy!!

It’s a hard life at sea!!

We visited a bat cave..

In the afternoon we learnt how to make yummy spring rolls!

We’d eaten so well at lunchtime that we just wanted coffee and cake so our guide Jake dropped us off at the Hidden Gem - an experience but not the best coffee in the world. The coffee they have here is like a mocha to which condensed milk is added. Ok but not really to our taste.

We wandered around a part of town we hadn’t seen, great atmosphere.

Couldn’t understand why David was so insistent we find somewhere to get cake at 9.30 at night but it turns out they wanted to sing a birthday duet!!! Found a lovely little patisserie and when they realised it was my birthday they brought out a little candle! Bless!

Back home and packing as early start for the drive up to the mountains and Sapa. It’s going to be a shock as was gorgeous weather for sunbathing today, but going to be freezing up there! X

A mixed bag

So today was our first organised tour- and this morning almost our last! The first activity and venue was underwhelming - actually, let’s be truthful, it was our idea of hell! We went to Mua caves to climb the peak and see the view of the Ninh Binh region. It was filthy, packed with people, tacky beyond belief! I took one look at the steps and realised that wasn’t happening so wandered around and found the quiet spot below - and trust me they are carefully cropped!

The boys manfully took on the challenge of the mountain along with the other 10,000 Vietnamese - it’s still their new year holidays! Dave decided halfway that this was ridiculous and came back but David made it to the top and thus the photos of the views!! Yeay!

However, we always manage to have fun wherever we go so we went on to visit an ancient temple, except it isn’t ancient, it’s all reconstructed! 

Then had a fun half hour bike ride which was hilarious as the bikes were too small so we were all pedalling with our knees up to our chin!! 

Lunch then the highlight, going down the river in local boats between the limestone karsts and among the paddy fields. It was lovely and we saw loads of kingfishers, storks, cranes and heron.

They have this unique way of paddling with their feet -

Finally home and a desperate proper coffee at Starbucks! Then dinner at one of the many restaurants around and a last evening view of St Joseph’s cathedral.

A happy but weary trio. Tomorrow an early start and Lan Ha Bay! X 

HANOI

After 24 hours of travelling we arrived early morning in an overcast Hanoi feeling rather the worse for wear - even David who had actually slept for HOURS on both of the flights!
To be perfectly honest we didn’t have a great start to the holiday as the place we had booked was £&£5£&6( awful! However the owner quickly transferred us to her other property which is fine - you can even have a hot shower! It’s only a 10 minute walk to the Old Town so all good. Feeling rather jaded we wandered around trying to find somewhere to eat but everything shut as last day of Tet, their New Year.
A goodish nights sleep meant a much happier group left the house this morning  and we had a lovely day wandering around, looking at the local crafts, sampling different Vietnamese dishes and booking tours etc for the first few weeks of  the holiday.

Breakfast - our first taste of Vietnamese coffee - with condensed milk or coconut milk. Tasted more like mocha. Although he’s smiling it wasn’t to his taste!

Scenes around Hanoi

Temple

Typical street - scooters rool!!

 Joseph’s cathedral

Lunch!

Train street is famous as the train really runs in between these houses though track closed by police at moment as too many people getting hurt!!

Every city always looks better at night! After an exhausting day planning and booking trips and wandering the streets we found a lovely little place for dinner.

Hoan Kiem lake

ITINERARY

So for those like me who didn’t have a clue where everything is in Vietnam, here’s a little map! 

We are starting in the north and working our way south, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh.

The basic itinerary, though I’m sure there will be changes is as follows-
Jan 27 - Hanoi
Jan 31 - Sapa
Feb 3 - Halong bay, lan ha bay
Feb 5 - Ninh Binh / tam coc
Feb 7- Hoi an
Feb 11 - Mekong delta
Feb 14 - Phu Quoc island
Feb 17 - Ho Chi Minh
Feb 19 - fly home!
We’ve only booked accommodation in Hanoi and Sapa so far as we want to have some freedom. David’s a little nervous about this but hey we will see.
Got a week full of getting all sorted for visitors while I’m away and trying to find some summer clothes - temps should be in high 20’s!!