Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Cat Ba Island

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After my long and arduous bus journey from Vang Vieng to Hanoi we had to relax for a day and get out composure back. We set about wondering the small streets of old town Hanoi. A framing of French architecure but the soul of Vietnam. Many of the streets in old town are designated to one item or another. For instance our guesthouse is on the lock street, where they only sell locks, all kinds too; doors, bike, motorcycle, padlocks, etc... these shops sell many of the same things but they all seem to stay in business. Near us is the paper street, the toy street, and close by is the cigarette street where each shop only sells cigarettes! This makes it very easy to get around; you can recognize the street you are on by what they sell.

Also, Hanoi is full of motorbikes and I mean FULL. It's their major mode of transportation here and when rush hour hits it is insanity. There is a certain technique for crossing the street, just walk and trust that the drivers will avoid you. It is a hard thing to just do but after a few days I barely even look both ways I just trust that the other drivers won't hit me. I often duck behind a local and bet that he/she knows what they are doing and if not they'll get hit first not me.

From Hanoi we booked a tour to the famed Ha Long Bay where we spent one night on a junk (boat) and two nights on Cat Ba Island. The tour itself was very touristy, as you can see from the pictures. But the time we spent away from the tour was great. I ended up meeting two guys who started a climbing company on the island and randomly enough they hail from the climbing gym right by my house in CT. We booked motorcycles with the company and took a ride bright and early. The ride into the valley where they have the climbing was beautiful. Our drivers took us on a a path that was paved but only 3 feet wide. The drive took us up and down hills, next to farm land and finally into the valley that resembled a bowl on a ski mountail, having only on way in or our. The climbing was amazing with great views of the valley. We were the only two climbers there besides the guides who were cleaning some of the adjasent routes. Our lunch was bought and prepared that day by a local and it was the best food I have had in Vietnam. Everything was fresh and clean and not the usual blandness or fried that we have been eating.

Unfortunatly I have to run to catch a plane to Bangkok and then Kathmandu but I wanted to post these picutres. I have not proof read or spell checked...sorry.

Talk to you soon.

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Photos

Ha Long Bay
The cave we went to was like Disney land. They played magical music at the entrance, neon lights lit up the cave, and the trash cans we shaped like penguins.

Ha Long Bay
View from my kayak.

Cat Ba Island
Our crazy guide in Cat Ba National Park.

Monkey Island
No monkeys but a good hike.

Cat Ba Island
Sunset over the bay. The majority of the locals live in floating houses. Many farm fish in nets below their houses as a living.

Cat Ba Island
While climbing I had to combat some burning poop while belaying.

Cat Ba Island
Rich climbing.

Caqt Ba Island
View from the valley floor.

Cat Ba Island
Maverick on his way home.

Ha Long Bay
Close up of the floating houses.