Advertisement
Published: January 13th 2010
Edit Blog Post
Hi everyone,
Our last blog was from Luang Prabang which used to be the capital of Laos. Since then we’ve flown to Vientiene which is the new capital of Laos, and then we flew to Hanoi which is the new capital of Vietnam (it used to be Ninh Binh, but it was never Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City). I hope we're all clear on that!
Vientiene is very much like Luang Prabang in that it has a major French influence and the Mekong runs alongside it. Whilst we were there we went to the Cope Centre that helps people who have been disabled by the many millions of unexploded bombs that are still lying around in Laos after the Vietnam war - and children are still being paid a pittance to go and collect metal, so the lesson is don’t buy anything that’s been made out of metal from bombs in this area.
On a more cheerful note, we decided that after Harry’s enforced bed rest we would skip the homestay in Laos and fly to Hanoi instead. This also meant that we would miss out on an 18 hour coach trip to Ninh Binh which we thought was
a jolly good plan. So we left the group and flew to Hanoi where we stayed for a night, then we hired a car to take us to meet the rest of the group at Ninh Binh. Not much to rave about there, but then we all went to Halong Bay - where there is definately a lot to rave about. It’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s amazing. There are 2,000 - 3,000 (depending on which guide book you read) limestone rock formations dotted all over the place. Unfortunately the weather was misty (which we think may be partly due to the heavy pollution in this area), but nevertheless it was easy to appreciate how beautiful Halong Bay is because the mist lent a sort of magical mystical atmosphere to it. We were also very lucky because we were given an upgrade on the boat/junk for some reason which was fantastic. The food was delicious, it was all starched white table linen and napkins and we had the boat to ourselves so we thought it appropriate to have a party - which was a great success. Intrepid pitching the luxury fairly soon after the homestay was inspired -
it was just what everyone needed (including us who'd dipped out of the homestay).
The group is now in Hanoi where the traffic is mesmerizing because it’s like a demolition derby except that no-one hits anyone else. If this was in the West it would be carnage on the roads. There are millions of motor cycles and cars all hooting at each other, along with bicycles and cyclos (men riding bicycle taxis). There can also be up to four people on a motor cycle (as they are so slim), or one person and the contents of a shop. Anything you can imagine goes on the back of motor cycles and bicycles - like they’ve just been shopping at B&Q. We’ve taken lots of photos of the traffic but it’s difficult to get individuals because nothing stops except for the occasional traffic light.
As a pedestrian it takes a bit of nerve to negotiate the traffic. The pavements are taken up with all manner of things because people trade out of their front doors, so you have to walk in the road most of the time. Harry and I tend to walk single file and keep a 360 degree
eye on things as there’s no point in facing the oncoming traffic because the motorcycles drive all over the place. When it comes to crossing a road you just have to step out and keep an even pace until you reach the other side, then the traffic will go round you. The first time is a hair raising experience but you get used to it. In fact we’ve decided that Westerners are the most dangerous things on the roads because if they’re hesitant the locals can’t anticipate what they’re going to do.
On a personal note we are both pleased to report that, because of our enforced healthy diet coupled with lots of walking, we're both now able to tighten our belts a notch or two. In fact Harry's trousers now fall down if he doesn't wear a belt.
We've seen some nice things since we've been in Hanoi. In the Temple of Literature we saw some beautifully dressed girls in traditional long silk dresses in all sorts of bright colours getting ready to attend a wedding. I asked if I could take a photo of them which they were quite happy with. Then one of them insisted
that I have a photo taken with her - she was so slim that I felt like an elephant beside her. We also saw a bride, groom and bridesmaid having their photos taken in the street with the traffic rushing by which seemed quite incongruous.
We had fun (of sorts) on a cyclo trip to a water puppet show; 12 cyclos went in convoy for about 20 minutes through the busy streets of the Old Quarter. If crossing the road was hair raising, the cyclo tour was twice as nerve racking, but those old boys know what they're doing and the puppet show was interesting, even though nearly all the blokes in our party fell asleep during it.
We've also been to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum where 'Uncle Ho' rests in a glass box surrounded by guards. It was all very serious. We weren't allowed to talk, have our hands in our pockets or do anything else that could be regarded as offensive - and definitely no photography. But outside we thought it would be a good idea to take a photos of the exterior of the mausoleum with Evan and Abbie (they had sent us life-size cutouts
of themselves with life-size smiling faces for Christmas). However, one particular guard came over to see what we were doing and decided it wasn't appropriate - no sense of humour there then - which is why the photograph with me, our friend and the children was done on the sly.
We've uploaded two pages worth of photos and a video where a girl in a red coat crosses a dual carriageway, just to give you an idea of how it's done Hanoi-style. Hope you like them.
Thanks once again to all those people who have left messages for us. It's nice to know that people are taking an interest.
Love - Angela and Harry xx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.045s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 9; qc: 23; dbt: 0.0238s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Claire
non-member comment
Loving the Pics
Hiya Mum and Harry. We're loving the pictures. I can just see you two, giggling your heads off, wondering what on earth these people are carrying on their bikes. Got to love the mobile florist and that crazy man carrying the bamboo stalks; what happens when he wants to turn a corner? Glad you've got Abbie and Evan with you, although it made me laugh that a guard told you to move on. Did you let him know that you weren't amused? Anyway, it sounds like you are having a real adventure, so enjoy yourselves. Keep posting the on the blog and we'll keep reading. Stay out of trouble, I know what you are like. Clairexx