Week 11+12 Northern Vietnam

'You weren't there man!' is the famous phrase that springs to mind when Vietnam is mentioned.  Well, actually I was and I've written a blog about it.

Much like Thailand, Vietnam seems to have an extremely well trodden tourist route. In fact, I even ran into the guy who replaced me when I quit my job. Incidentally, he too has now quit. 

Hanoi

Hanoi (the capital) is a pleasant enough city. The main past time here is trying to cross the road. Also fun is pretending to be rich, 'Ahh, the cash machine will only let me take out five million!' (Dong unfortunately).

Due to poor travel planning and yet another blimming national holiday, I accidentally spent 4 days here. Even so, I was lost pretty much all the time. 

Make your move buster

 I Ha Noi idea where I am!

One of the surprise trumps of Hanoi was the trip to its prison. No, don't worry Mum, I haven't done anything silly! The prison is now a really interesting museum about the Vietnam war with the USA (and allies) and about French occupation. It's something I knew very little about, so I was shocked that such atrocities could have happened not so long ago. 

This hostel is definitely getting a bad review on TripAdvisor (Hanoi Prison)

Sapa

Next up is idyllic Sapa, where I was joined by Mr. Scully. As we were short for time, we signed up for a three day tour. It is truly a beautiful place, especially on the bus between Sapa and Bac Ha.

The trek itself could have been more strenuous. In fact, the hardest part was trying to get the local people to leave you alone. 'You buy one now, your friend buy one now' was what they would repeat for about half an hour. 

I think they're related, no? (Sapa)

Oh you want Dong. I thought you said donkey.  (Sapa trek)

This is pretty much all you see for a few days, still, it's a rice view

Splendid Sapa

Bac Ha

Bac Ha was the final day of our Sapa trek, although what it actually was, was a six hour bus ride for 90 minutes of walking around a market. 

The market was wonderfully authentic, at the same time as catering to tourists. There was disgusting looking food, horses and water buffalo.  What more could you want? 

Gotta find me a water buffalo to buy

This is the one I chose- Buffy the grass shoot chewer

The trading floor...

Halong Bay

Halong Bay couldn't have been a more different experience to Sapa if we'd tried to make it so. Both places showcased outstanding natural beauty, but whereas Sapa had a small intimate group, the tour we selected for Halong Bay had a very rowdy group of 40.

All aboard for Halong Bay

You can just imagine what a group of 40 people got up to when left for two days on an empty Island. The group seemed to cleave into two divisions; those intent on recreating scenes from the 'free love' movement and those not quite sure what to make of the spectacle.

Fortunately the activities during the day were superbly fun. The second day was probably one of my favourite travel days so far. I played a few games of beach volleyball, a few games of Badminton, did some sea kayaking, rock climbing and tubing - all in one day! The day was topped off perfectly by a beach party in a lightning storm. The storm was sufficiently far away, that we felt safe, but it lit up the karsts eerily. 

Row row, row your boat strongly against the tide...

Best.Thing.Ever. When you inevitably fall, it feels like what I imagine getting hit by a bus feels like (but fun)

Our private beach

The view from rock climbing

Hue

This place had a hue of boredom. The main thing to see is a citadel, which is basically just a collection of bombed patches of grass.

Other than that, not a bad place. The war museum was interesting, I thought.

Shooting tanks (with my camera)

Who doesn't enjoy a good Bridge photo?

I'm currently in Hoi An, but will save that for the next edition. I'm also back travelling on my own for the first time in two months, which is a strange experience. Strange, but good. I'd say that sums travelling up in general.