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After 2 more nights in Hanoi I was completely ready to get out of there and never return. Nothing against Hanoi- I think I've just spent way too much time there doing not much of anything. On Wednesday morning I grabbed my gear and took a moto to the bus station ready to explore Cat Ba Island. After easily purchasing my one way ticket for 180, 000 ($9) and a short wait in a few different spots around the station (helpful locals shuffled me around from one good waiting spot to another) I was off!
On the bus trip I met a lovely local gentleman who kindly took me under his wing and made polite conversation in his very best english. He even put up with my big backpack banging against his legs as I wasn't allowed to store it under the bus.
I got to Haiphong and met Yessica and Ben who were also heading to Cat Ba and we teamed up for the rest of the journey which consisted of a 45 minute boat trip and another 1 hour bus ride. We found accomodation above the post office which I think is cool even though it's just
Deep water solo
It was awesome to watch these guys. Trickier than it looks!like every other guest house but I've never heard of people staying in a post office before!
After a late luch we weren't so hungry for dinner so we had a few drinks at the only open bar we could find in town, called the Flightless Bird. By 10pm we were feeling peckish but we had missed our chance, every place serving food was closed. Now I know how the tourists of Perth feel! I ordered a Kahula and milk which did the job and slept well.
Thursday was a big day that I will remember for a long time. Ben and I had organised to go out with the company Slo Pony which is known for rock climbing but also offers treks, kayaking and bay cruises. Our day began with a bay crusie out to a beautiful kayaking spot. The water was like glass and jellyfish free. We had fun exploring caves, watching some other guys try their hand at deep water sloughing (s?) and getting yelled at by cranky fishermen who wanted us to stay clear of their precious fish pens.
After lunch we were driven back to the mainland in a Vietnamese Basket Boat
Kayak Lesson 1
Do not enter cranky fisherman's areas. and transported by moto to a farm known as Butterfly Valley. For me the rock climbing was definately a highlight of Vietnam. Although it was incredibly challenging I loved every minute.
There were 5 climbs, the first 3 were tricky but nothing compared to the last 2. I completed 3.75 out of the 5. I say this because the fourth climb had a periously difficult ledge that for the size of my legs and level of my skill I just couldn't figure out. Onslow (our fabulous guide and belayer) hoisted me over it so I could reach the top and I love him dearly for it.
Ben proved to be quite the climber and completed all five climbs with the ease of a red back spider. We had dinner at the Lonely Planet acclaimed 'Green Mango' to celebrate our climbing accomplishments. Jerome and Emma (who were in our climbing group), Ben, Yessica, Rose, Alexandria and I ordered some of the best Western food I've had in a long time. I had a spicy coated tuna steak with mango salsa and the others all enjoyed their picks. the only down side was that we waited over an hour for our food
to come out, so in this small touristy town their popularity proved to be beyond their means a bit in that regard.
On Friday Yessica, Ben and I hired mountain bikes to ride around town and the surrounding areas. The landscape was beautiful and as I've said before I just can't get enough of the feeling of freedom riding a bike gives me. The riding was tough going on my sore leg muscles (climbing was taking its toll) as there were just as many up hills as down. It was gorgeous to be out of the township along the quiet laneways of local villages.
While we were taking a much needed rest on top of a gigantic hill I witnessed something rare and super cool. A butterfly just out if its cocoon was drying its new wings by flapping them about. As they became drier the flapping speed increased and... before my eyes it took its first flight. (Yes, corny but cool).
On the way home we encountered some children out the front of their school. They all wanted 'high fives' but two smiling, giggling boys ran along beside my bike holding my hand. A memory I hope I
Red back spiders
Ben and Jerome tackle the two most difficult climbs. never forget for the rare beauty, innocence and spontinaity of children. We were back in town by 2pm to give Yessica and Ben enough time for a quick shower before they got on the 3.15 bus back to Hanoi.
Today marks the end of my third week in Vietnam and if all goes well (due to my lack of planning I'm not sure if it will all pan out) I will go to Hanoi tomorrow morning and leave for Laos in the evening. So, thanks for staying with me through Vietnam. Your emails, blog comments and messages get me through the bad days (not that there have been many) and boost me higher on the good. I have heard many great reports from Laos so hopefully my time there will be fun filled and fulfilling.
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brenda
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Beautiful butterfly
Chloe you are my beautiful butterfly and in many ways this trip has been for you, the experience of that butterfly you witnessed! Always wise and beautiful, you are emerging from a previous life into one more rich and empowering due to the experiences you have had on this journey. I am so proud of you.... the fact that the things impressing you are not, for example, luxurious hotels, but the hand of a child holding yours in innocence, the human spirit, humanity in its most honest and pure form. I love you so much and am so proud of you. I wept when reading this entry, as it reflected the purity of you and the essence of a truly beautiful soul. All my love, Mum.