First an overnight bus to Vientianne (capital of Laos), a very small and quite place. We managed to find a swimming pool there as well, the water wasn’t cold but good enough to refresh.
Then, another overnight bus up to Vinh, a city on the coast of Vietnam. Unfortunately we bought the tickets a bit late and we only got seats on the local economic bus, which was a particular experience. All went well until 5 minutes after departure from the bus station. The driver stopped to fill in the bus, forcing 3 people to sit on a 2-seater place, on the floor, just a bit over the limit... and it was a 16 hs journey! There was a guy trying to get inside the place for the baggage, in the roof... The agony continued as we stopped every few minutes because the bus had no toilet, so every time somebody wanted to pee they stopped and had the chance to get some new guests to the party... The most frustrating part was that the bus was stopped in one place from 2 am until 6 am waiting for the border to open, not good timing guys!
Anyways, we made it to Vinh and from there we took the sleeping train to HANOI, where we could peacefully appreciate the landscape and recover some energy.
After the long bus + train trip, Hanoi “welcomed” us. Very noisy, crowded, full of motorbikes, but with small alleys that serve as escape and showed hints of old Asia.
We settled in the ‘old city’ district, the “Kao San Road” of Hanoi. Nice place to walk through alleys and get the first impression of Viet culture.
Betinha & Camila
The obliged destination in the area is Halong Bay.
Many locals try to sell packages or tours to go there, but it’s difficult to trust them knowing that they normally want to take advantage... So we went to the port of Halong and arranged a boat ourselves but we ended paying expensive and not getting what they told us anyway.... For the next one going there, we’ll recommend to do it straight from a travel agency in Hanoi. Despite it doesn’t look like, Vietnam is a communist country. They have some control over tourism so it’s not always convenient or possible to make your own way. This made this place not the most comfortable for travelling, at least the way we like to do it.
Nevertheless, we made our arrangements and the day after we got on a “pirates look alike” boat to sail along Halong Bay for 2 days. Before leaving the port, an overnight stay in Halong city, a popular summer destination for locals. As usual in these places, a huge night market.
Halong Bay is a natural beauty different to anything else. Huge lime stones emerge from the sea, hundreds of them build this amazing bay which is perfect to sail along and enjoy the astonishing views. This place was witness of many invasions to Vietnam, and it was its particular shape that helped the Vietnamese to keep Mongol and Chinese intruders out of main land.
Three funny stories to share...
The first, on the way to Halong city the bus stopped for toilet and food, and it was the first time in our lifes we saw a "shared toilet" for girls! There was the option of a "standard toilet" but all local women preferred the "vietnameese" one.
Second, people in Vietnam got crazy about Martin's chest, they loved it and wanted to take pictures with him!!!
OK, that's too much!
The third and last, everybody was enjoying a swimm in the Halong Bay sea when suddenly Lore jumped on Diego's head and started to sink him and shouting... Ahhhhhhhhhh! Nobody understood what was going on... Everybody out of the water! Is it a crocodile??
Once out we saw that she had been sting by a jellyfish on the butt! For this story no pictures will be posted.
