Saturday, 14 June 2014
Friday, 13 June 2014
Day 18 - Ha Long Bay
Arrived at 9am from our epic 18 journey on the night train and bus. This is definitely the grubbiest I have felt so far. Unfortunately the room wasn't ready so had to wait for my overdue shower, amazing when I finally had it though.
Spent 4 hours on a boat going around Ha Long Bay, we were a bit worried we wouldn't see much as it was quite foggy but luckily the skies cleared in time for our trip and the weather stayed great. I knew it would be amazing but I didn't appreciate just how amazing. We stopped off to go into a cave which was Ok but disappointing because it was very public and lit up with illuminous colours so looked very fake. Wanted to see the bar Top Gear stopped at but unfortunately there are a lot more bars out there now.
Went out for food again tonight which was disappointing, very greasy but I suppose you have to get what you pay for eventually.
Another early night tonight for an early trip to Hanoi.
Day 17 - Hue motorbike tour and night train
Another early start today. Up at 6.30 to go on a motorbike tour of Hue sites and villages. Was a great tour and great experience, I loved going around on a bike (might have to get one when I get home).
We visited a small village market and rice museum which was actually quite interesting. From there we went to the oldest pagoda in Hue, from there to a colesseum where tigers and elephants were made to fight (the elephant always won add it was the Kings favourite). Then on to Bunker Hill where the French were based during the war. Finally to a nunnery where the nuns had made us lunch which was huge but amazing.
Back to the hotel for 12.30 to make sure we don't miss our night train to Hanoi,14 hours on the train followed by 4.5 hours on a bus to get to Halong Bay ahead.
Thursday, 12 June 2014
Day 16 - Hue
A nicer start time of 9am this morning for the relatively short journey of 5 hours to Hue.
This is definitely the most picturesque journey I have ever been on, on the way saw mountains poking through the clouds and it's sad but i recognised a lot of places from Top Gear whilst driving along the Hải Vân Pass. Absolutely spectacular!
Arrived in Hue at about 1pm, all of us ready for lunch so ventured out and sorry but was craving something Western and had to have a pizza.
Had a walk down the river and back as not a lot to see as we arrived late in the day. Out for drinks and food again tonight, was a really nice night, good food, good old music and free pool, I beat a local after he had potted all of his balls, he didn't look too happy.
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Day 15 - Hoi An
Up at 7am this morning to go for a cycle tour of a local village.
Got to the cycle shop to pick our bikes and I got a "traditional" bike apparently, nice hard seat and a basket on the front. We cycled approximately 12km today breaking up with stops at a gone to learn home rice noodles are made, then to a another home to learn how rice wine is made and got to try it too, and apparently because I'm a northerner according to the Londoners in the group I had to shot the wine, 1st one was 30% so not so bad, 2nd was 80% and while strong was amazing. Really interesting ride through the rice fields and village.
Back to the hotel and straight into the pool to cool off.
Went out for food and drinks but my night got cut short as I got sun cream in my eye and could barely open it so back to the hotel to wash it for about 2 hours.
Gutted I haven't seen more of this city, what I have seen looks so amazing.
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