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Published: August 18th 2008
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yep, we spent more time trying to see shapes in the rocks - actually this was after the 1218 steps..and after the rainy season so pretty slippy So here I am back on a train again - this time the overnight train from Hanoi to Hue ( which as you all know - I just love the train). We have been super busy since we last updated, having an absolutely fantastic time.
We spent some time in Hanoi which was fun - I have to say the vietnamese people are absolutely cracked - I love them. I went out to go for a run at 6am - there is a really lovely lake and I was going to do laps of it. Now remember, its six in the morning, the most we get in the vondelpark is a couple of drunks from the night before and a very few random runners. But little did I expect to see the whole place packed with groups of people doing Tai Chi, pilates and even guys doing weights. Old men were sitting on benches chatting away and I received quite a number of claps from people as I went by (personally I would think they were amused by the crazy foreigner) but it was an amazing experience - people were of all ages and abilities - there was a guy
cave exit
seppy looks pleased to find the way out who was pushing his wheelchair along as he hopped on his one leg and he had a big smile on his face (crazy foreigner again, I think) . Jonathan says: I was a bit sorry to miss that but no regrets rolling back to sleep. Long life is important here so exercise is considered obligatory.
We also went on a walking tour around Hanoi which was interesting. Jonathan says: all the streets are jammed with mopeds, cars, people, roadside restaurants and shops - it seems that each street has its own speciality with shops selling identical stuff - there was a medical street, toy street, metal working street,, and even a gravestone street. Paths are for parking the millions of mopeds so pedestrians walk in the gutter trying to ignore the constant beeps and trust they won't be hit. Crossing the road is insane - I can best describe it as me being Moses parting the red sea. We also headed out to complete our tour of key communist leader mausoleums - Ho Chi Min this time - I don't know what the infatuation was with being mummified and put on display, but we have seen them all during
down steps
The view down to the valley and to Mai Chau city (it becomes a city if it has more than 5000 people, a stadium, a park and a museum. Dems the rulez this trip - Lenin, Mao and Ho Chi Minn.
On a slightly random note - we were at a pagoda (the one pillar pagoda) and we were sitting having a wee rest ( as you do) and a group of Russians ended up standing in front of us taking their group photos - guess what: not a smile amongst them! I think some of the younger ones were trying - it was difficult to tell). photo in the other blog today.
But we had loads of fun - we headed away from the city to Halong bay and and stayed overnight on a Junk ship (I agree - terrible name) - it was lovely - sailing around the bay - there are approximately 1969 islands according to our guide. We also went swimming - thankfully we did not get attacked by killer jellyfish ( or any of the normal variety) . There were 13 people in total on the boat and it was very well organised - the boat itself was really lovely - the lower deck held the berths and the upper held the dining room, then to top it off the upper deck had sun
crossing paddyfield
it all looks so green, except it is just water either side of the narrow pathway loungers and deck chairs. There was also a faux wedding which was amusing - one of the Australian girls and the guide (he wanted to move to Australia).
But Halong bay is really beautiful - the magnitude of the islands and the lovely caves within and more importantly we were blessed with absolutely beautiful weather. But alas all good things must come to an end so we headed back to Hanoi. But thankfully Jonathan was planner extraordinaire so the next day we once again headed out of the city to a village called Ban Lac. we had hired a private car with driver and guide and I have to say it was money well spent. The guide was really knowledgable, his english was great and he was also very fit ( which meant when it came to spending hours walking around the valley he could certainly keep up) .
I think some days I really do have the luck of the Irish - on our way to Miu Chau ( the valley where Ban Lac is located) we stopped off to take a quick photo on a mountain which overlooks the valley, me being me, I bound along
muddy boots
Seppy gives us a laugh after deciding to look closer at how rice grows behind Jonathan and the guide but when it came to a group of bushes they went left and I moved right to look out at the valley - all of a sudden I have the guide and Jonathan saying Seppy and looking at me funny (that look which I later understood to be fear) - I thought, oh shit do i have a scorpion climbing up me and froze looking at the guide for help - he walked towards me and grabbed my arm pulling me forcefully in one direction - then he said “unexploded land mine, we have a lot of those in the countryside” I looked down and all I could see was what I had thought was a little pile on insects on some animal poo, but in reality it was the rusted top on the landmine - needless to say I was a lot more careful about where I placed my feet after that - although that didn't do me much good later that day).
We were staying in a home stay, it ended up being in the village chief's house (who in his 80+ years was a highly decorated officer in the army judging
homestay house
Our village tribe were thai, the village 1km away was Humong and the houses were completely different. Living quarters were upstairs from the photos and medals on the house) - the sleeping was a mattress on a bamboo floor but they also had mosquito nets and fans which was great, they also provided the meals - I have not eaten so well or so much in ages - it was a thoroughly great experience.
That afternoon we spent walking around the valley whilst the guide picked fruits from the trees and explained what they were and we all tried them. We also got to walk along the divisions in the paddy fields - unfortunately my lack of balance and coordination meant that with one misplaced foot on a slightly unsecure rock and septima dumps herself over the side of the ledge into the paddy itself - see attached picture. Our guide then thinking I was all upset about my muddy boots proceeded to bring me to a nearby well and dump about ten buckets of water over my boots to try and clean them - I didn't have the heart to tell him that my boots were lovely and dry inside until he soaked them with the water.
We subsequently spent the evening drinking beer and watching about
dinner homestay
More than enough for 2 persons (the food I mean, not the beer). Rice is in the far dish. half the village dancing. Then up this morning to climb 1218 steps to a cave - I was literally a wet sponge when I got to the top but it was great fun - our guide said it usually takes about an hour but we did it in twenty minutes although I think he was joking
So here we are again - another train and guess what - we are still having a great time. Hope everyone is well
Seppy and Jon
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Gem&Simon
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Looks Briliant!
So glad you're having such a top time. Let us know when back in town. Lol Birds xxx