Vietnam in a hurry
I figure now that it is some 8 months later, it is well overdue that I post about the trip through Vietnam. The flight from Vientienne to Ha Noi was fairly routine, but while waiting, I got convince to get "free transport" from the airport. This was of course based on the fact that they would take me to their guest house with the expectation that I would stay there (which I was willing depending on the place). Well, they *pack* in the minibus and haul us all there with promise that there is plenty of room. I get there and they unload all our stuff and slowly go through booking people into rooms and although I ask if there are sufficent rooms and am assured there are, eventually they run out (maybe an hour waiting). Of course it is a bit wet and cold outside, so it is off to their "other guesthouse" by motorbike (yuck). I check out the room and haggle over the price. After all, it is now 8 or so and I don't really feel like walking around still trying to find a place and the place is ok and the price is not crazy ($7 or 8 bucks). So after a quick rest, I head out into the craziness of Ha Noi to grab a bite, check internet, get a SIM card for my phone and acquante myself with the city, knowing that I am going to have to move in the morning and waste part of a day doing so. Afterwards, I head back and to the hotel (it is just after 10 at this point) and have to bang on the door as "reception" is closed for the night. I find this to be common in Vietnam - after 10 or 11 or so, most guesthouses close their doors and the owner (or family) sleeps in the "lobby".
Anyway, the next day I spend the morning finding a new guesthouse (one that had been recommended to me by someone I met in Thailand) which was nicer, but more expensive. After that, I headed towards the center of town for a late lunch by the lake there, which was quite relaxing (but tourist and pricey). Then I checked out the temple that is on an island in the lake and exchanged some books on the street. I then took a partial walk around the cities "historic" area. There is a walking tour which takes you around several small neighborhoods with specialties in various things, such as metalwork, stationary, gravestones, etc. After that I arranged to go on a day trip out to Halong Bay, before heading to Da Nang (where "China Beach" was during the Vietnam war).
The next day it was a very early start and a 2+ hour bus journey out to Halong Bay. Then it was on a boat for a drizzly, overcast start (though things brightened up a fair bit later). Halong bay is a very beautiful calm bay with limestone formations/islands rising out of the waters. We cruised around for about 90 minutes before stopping at one of the larger rocks and wandering through a large cave there. Then it was off for another 90 minutes or so, with wonderful views along the way (including a stop at a fish farm in the bay). Finally it was back on the bus and back to Ha Noi.
The next day it was off to the airport to get a flight to Da Nang. At Da Nang I got a really nice hotel and location except for the fact that the entire road between the beach and the hotel(s) was being totally destroyed/reconstructed. Still, I spent two nights and a nice day and a half on the beach and exploring Da Nang (not too exciting), before heading on to Nha Trang.
Nha Trang was a very nice beach resort town. I stayed at a hotel fairly close to the beach (I bargained them down to $15 for a corner room at a nice new hotel with a double bed and single bed, AC, nice bath, TV, and a view of the Bay). I spent 2 and a half days there enjoying the beach, some diving and just hanging out. After that it was off to Saigon...I'll leave that as the topic of my next post...
Anyway, the next day I spend the morning finding a new guesthouse (one that had been recommended to me by someone I met in Thailand) which was nicer, but more expensive. After that, I headed towards the center of town for a late lunch by the lake there, which was quite relaxing (but tourist and pricey). Then I checked out the temple that is on an island in the lake and exchanged some books on the street. I then took a partial walk around the cities "historic" area. There is a walking tour which takes you around several small neighborhoods with specialties in various things, such as metalwork, stationary, gravestones, etc. After that I arranged to go on a day trip out to Halong Bay, before heading to Da Nang (where "China Beach" was during the Vietnam war).
The next day it was a very early start and a 2+ hour bus journey out to Halong Bay. Then it was on a boat for a drizzly, overcast start (though things brightened up a fair bit later). Halong bay is a very beautiful calm bay with limestone formations/islands rising out of the waters. We cruised around for about 90 minutes before stopping at one of the larger rocks and wandering through a large cave there. Then it was off for another 90 minutes or so, with wonderful views along the way (including a stop at a fish farm in the bay). Finally it was back on the bus and back to Ha Noi.
The next day it was off to the airport to get a flight to Da Nang. At Da Nang I got a really nice hotel and location except for the fact that the entire road between the beach and the hotel(s) was being totally destroyed/reconstructed. Still, I spent two nights and a nice day and a half on the beach and exploring Da Nang (not too exciting), before heading on to Nha Trang.
Nha Trang was a very nice beach resort town. I stayed at a hotel fairly close to the beach (I bargained them down to $15 for a corner room at a nice new hotel with a double bed and single bed, AC, nice bath, TV, and a view of the Bay). I spent 2 and a half days there enjoying the beach, some diving and just hanging out. After that it was off to Saigon...I'll leave that as the topic of my next post...