Blogs from Lao Cai, Northwest, Vietnam, Asia - page 11

2 whole weeks down and we've been busy. After Hanoi we spent 3 days in Halong Bay on a Castaway Island Trip joined by Jonny's cousin Dan. After cruising through a few of the thousands of limestone hills and stopping for some brief acrobatic diving from the boat, we arrived at our private island and were greeted by the previous tour group who were a day ahead. A large dinner was followed by some drinking games and dancing and once everyone was drunk enough we went swimming in the phosphorescent waters to a lethal pontoon (due to the barnacles on the sides). We later found out that the phosphorescence was due to plankton in the water lighting up like fireflies when given energy from your movement. In Pitch black under the cloudy sky it was quite ... read more

We went for a good few hours trek with the local hill tribes women (yesterday). We ate at their family home. It was nice to see family life first hand. One of the village girls took a particular liking to me, at one point even smelling me. I guess i must appear strange to them. Im glad we went with the locals rather that the tours as it puts money straight into their hands and is more of a unique experince. I have developed my mo ped riding skills ie i can even carry stuff whilst sitting on the back, this seemed impossible at first. Note to self: get bike liscense when return home. Heading to the Laos border tomorrow. I shall miss beautiful Vietnam but not the constant scamming and hassle... read more

We arrived early this morning after getting the overnight train from Ha Noi. We were followed by agroup of different people sending us in random (and wrong directions). I actually managed to get lots of sleep on the bus despite the lightning appearing to hit very near us when we were travelling. Sapa is so beautiful.High up and much cooler. I think leanne and I may head to one of the local villages as we have met a few Hill tribe women who have invited us and not for a stupidly high price.More to follow... read more

22 mei 2012 Vroeg opgestaan om nog wat dingen te regelen voordat ik begon aan het motor avontuur. Vietnamese Simkaart en helm waren snel geregeld. Toen nog even een powernap voordat ik op de motor sprong! Het avontuur begon! Eerste uitdaging Hanoi doorkomen in dat gekke verkeer daar! Het ging verbazingwekkend goed, al snel reed ik als een echte Vietnamees! (Weet niet of dat zo goed is maar je komt in ieder geval het kruispunt over) Toen herkende ik het punt waar ik de motor had gekocht, dus nog even langs gereden om de stationer wat hoger te zetten. Kreeg meteen lunch aangeboden! Top gratis lunch haha. Na 1 keer flink verkeerd te zijn gereden aangekomen in Yai Bai. Hotel gevonden om de nacht te blijven. Ik had ongeveer 250km die dag gereden. Volgens mij zien ... read more

Thursday May 21,2012 Breakfast of bacon and egg croissant at local bakery. Then walked around town and down steep road towards Cat Cat village but didnt fancy the hike through slippery, muddy fields and paying the entrance fees. Mist rose as we had coffe overlookig the valley. Pumpkin soup for lunch. Natures View restaurant on Cat Cat Rd , great food, service and views. Sring rolls, Grilled chicken in honey sauce, sauted vgetables and tiger Beer. Misty and overcast. Friday June 1, 2012 Woke at 5am and mist cleared enough to see Mt Fanzipan but by 7am it was cloudy again. Walked to lake followed by persistant Red Dao girl. Walked around streets watching police confiscate any motorbikes which were parked on the road. Had sickly sweet Vietnamese coffe with condensed milk. Walked up the hill ... read more