North - final fling

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The rest of the loop

From spectacular Sapa we headed north east, up to the border of China. As we headed down from the highest peaks in Vietnam, the landscape became less epic but remained dramatic. The limestone karsts we'd encountered on Cat Ba and around suddenly reappeared, but this time rose from the valleys, surrounded by rice fields.

We took in Ban Gian Waterfall, on the border of China, before heading south to Ba Be Lake National Park. The skies were growing grim and by the time we reached Ba Be a steady drizzle that would accompany us for the rest of our journey had set in. Ba Be was all but deserted, apart from a group of school girls from Hai Phong that were reduced to hysterical giggles every time they caught sight of Duncan.

A day out on the three lakes that comprise Ba Be was pretty much all there was to do, apart from drink the homebrewed apple whiskey at the make-shift cafe across from the park's official restaurant, swapping stories with the owner.

We were heading back to Hanoi now, with one last swing past Halong Bay. Halong City is nothing to gush over, although we did enjoy a couple of nights drinking at the beach listening to extremely boozed up Koreans having a crack at karaoke. Once again we cruised amongst the karsts; swapping the sunshine for mist and fog made for a different kind of Halong.

Returning to Hanoi was a culture shock after the sleepiness of the far north. It was a tourist's relief to have English spoken everywhere again and we basked for a few days in the mayhem, enjoying our own routines of coffees, noodles,

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Photos

Ban Gian Falls
Straddling the border of Vietnam and China, you're apparently only allowed to swim or punt out halfway...

Ba Be Lake
A drizzly day on Ba Be Lake, eerie but peaceful.

Cafe 34, Hanoi
Our favourite little cafe, near Minh's Jazz Club. We'd stop by here at least once a day for an iced coffee or two.

Comments

[Brother Ben]

woot
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER. woot.