Hello Halong Bay

So right after our Sapa trip we headed out to the majestic and mysterious Halong Bay for a three day cruise.  Halong Bay consist of over 3000 incredible islands rising from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.  Many Vitenamese myths have been associated with Halong Bay, as the world "halong" translates to " where the dragon descends into the sea".  The legend is that their was a great dragon that charged the coast and its vicious tail gouged out valleys and crevasses.  When the dragon finally disappeared it left behind what today we call Halong Bay.

Checking out the views

The bay itself is so impressive, just looking out to sea and seeing nothing but limestone islands jetting out of the sea is something that never gets old.  As we boarded our boat we realized that our $20 a day for three days (which included food, transport and lodging) was an amazing deal.  Our boat was so nice, it had a rustic look to it, but it was a new boat made out of bamboo and wood.  Very nice.  

The bay and the boats.

Showing off the nice cabin

The first day we spent admiring the beautiful sights, exploring the ancient cave that the dragon lived in, kayaking around the beautiful islands/bays and hanging out with the rest of the people in our group.  We couldn't of asked for a nicer day as the sun was shinning and the wind was giving us a little pleasant breeze.  The day was spectacular and ended with a incredible seafood supper followed by some beer Hanoi with the rest of the group.

Captain Missie

   

Floating village (catch fish and maintain fish farms)

Close up

The next day we woke up to the sun shinning once again! We docked at the Cat Ba island,

a provincial island, where we were to do a rewarding hike and sleep in a 4 star hotel.  (we were "suppose" to stay in a hotel, maybe should of!)  The hike/climb was nice as we had a wonderful panoramic view of the entire bay.  After that we continued on and headed out to a secluded island that only had one beach on it, which was only 150 meters long and just recently had a restaurant and 8 bamboo bungalows built. (only 1 month ago)  As we arrived at the island it was so amazing.  Seriously there was only 4 people on the island and one monkey, so they told us, which later proved to be true.  Anyway we all ate a great lunch at the island and then our tour guide told us that if anyone wanted we could stay on the remote island (which as of now has no public boat going in or out) or we just could continue on and stay in the 4 star hotel.  Right away Missie and I looked at each other and said were staying on the island.  Only one other couple decided to stay, so there was 8 people to stay there with the monkey.  When the group left to go to their hotel on Cat Ba island (which is very big) we stayed behind marooned on the island, as our tour guide said that a boat will pick us up at 8 am the next morning.  So we grab a kayak and went exploring around all the other islands and even ran into two fishermen who were on a old raft, eating completely raw squid and crab.  They offered us some so we ate them up! just joking, we past and told them that we would get sick with a big smile, cause they never understood one word of what we said.

After our kayaking we just laid on our private beach, then suddenly a fricken monkey casually strolls by us, paused and said "Whats up"...well he didn't actually say it but I know he was thinking it.  The monkey was no little bugger, he had some serious weight to him, I bet like 40 pounds.  Missie kinda had a little fun with him as she was taking some pictures of him.  Not sure he likes pictures though.  Anyway the rest of the evening we spend laying of the beach reading, talking, drinking vodka, taking pictures of the sunset and simply enjoying life.  Missie was taking some really good pictures of the sunset, but the darn monkey was guarding the beach where she was taking the pictures from.  So she was tip-toeing around him until he gave her a look like, "lady if you don't move I am going to pretend you are the biggest tastiest banana I have ever eaten" so Missie moved further down the beach, well away from Mr. Grump monkey.  I was reading my book when I her a big " AAAAAHHHHHH i look and the grumpy monkey was right there at Missie's feet, she just turned and ran as the monkey just stared at her as she ran.  It was so funny, the monkey walked  over 70 feet ( so quietly  ) just to scare her!  

The monkey!

Then it was bed time in our lovely bran new bungalow, with aircon, hot shower and even soap dispensers.  What a night! A wonderful sunset, great meal, and only shared between 8 people and one other animal, the monkey.  So we thought.  Around 3 am we both started hearing some strange noises, sounding like something was in our room or very close.  I said, " Missie its the monkey, and he coming to pay you back again!"  we turned on the lights and saw hanging right above us, not a monkey(I wish) but a nice big, ugly, hairy, long tailed, blacked eyed, long toed nailed.......RAT!  Yup. a rat.  So there we were huddled together staring at the rat as he dangled above us...with no where to go.  Long story short, we saw 4 ugly rats and stayed up all night scaring rats out of our bungalow.  What a night.  Anyway it was a beautiful island and we enjoyed it greatly and the Halong Bay trip was awesome.

take care

Seconds of Sapa

We found internet that works!  Haha here some of the pictures of Sapa that we were unable to post earlier. 

Missie taking in the view from our homestay

The local ladies helping Missie out (look at the one with a baby on her back!)

Just amazing views

Our group! (Everyone was awesome)

One last view of Sapa.

Our 5:00am welcome back to Hanoi after the night train.  Tai Chi!....everywhere its crazy.

Stunning Stay in Sapa

Young village girls making the trek with us from Sapa town back to their villiage. 

This was a sunday, their only day off and they had to travel hours into town to buy food and essentials for their families. 

We went on a three day journey outside of a town called Sapa located near the Vietnam/China border.  Missie got the chance to take her first night train and we lucked out and got a first class ticket!  Our bunk mates were two Swiss girls and Missie told them how her grandma is dreaming of the day she gets to visit Switzerland.  The train was very comfortable, we got on at around 9 pm, slept like babies (even rocked by the swaying of the train) and before we could even dream it was 7 am and time to get off.

Riding 1st class! 

 Sapa was actually even colder then we expected, so with a few precious minutes before we left for the trek we went to the local market and bought some more clothes to stay warm.  The trek its self was absolutely great.  The scenery looks like its straight off a postcard.  Our first day was very cold and misty, however it just gave the air such a fresh and crisp taste to it.  Having been inhaling the Hanoi traffic fumes for a fews days made the Sapa air just that much better.  The mist created such a beautiful touch to the gorgeous mountain view as it lingered just at the mountain peeks.  

This woman walked with Missie and I until reaching her village (below)

Now for the trek.  We were greeted at our hotel by our guide and several village women (dressed in their traditional clothes) who would embark on the first day trek back to their homes.  These women walked a few times a week from their villages to Sapa, bearing all the essentials that their families need in a bamboo woven basket on their backs( sometimes its a baby on their backs!).   So we trekked the country side for several hours up and down rice fields, dodged various livestock(bulls, chickens, pigs, boars, ducks, dogs, cats) inside and out of villages and just simply enjoyed the amazing views.  After we arrived at our home, where we would stay the night, we really realized how simple life was out in the Vietnam country ( I know that they work hard, the callused feet show how hard they work day in and out, but its just that they seem to take the time to slow down and enjoy life. 

Trekking and singing Christmas songs. 

The hoops represent a Vietnamese tradition in the villages counting the length of marriage. 

Rice Field. 

At the home we enjoyed a wonderfully three hour cooked meals, which Missie and the other girls on our trek help cut/peel vegetables, roll spring rolls, cooked tofu/meats as they all chatted and laughed getting to know the locals.  Meanwhile the MEN were outside enjoying a well deserved beer or two ( I did go in and help a bit!)  

Peeling  veggies 

The meal.  The dinner was honestly the most I have eating since......I don't even think there is a since, I seriously have never eaten that much before...it was awesome.  The food was so good.  I even ate 20 spring rolls.  Seriously 20, and so much other delicious food.  After our bellies were stuffed to capacity, out came the infamous Vietnam rice wine!  Taste like crap, but as they say makes you Happy!  And happy it did, as Missie and I found our selves singing a duet to Enrique Iglesias' Hero.  Not to worry we weren't the only fools, as we learnt that the Irish can't sing Madonna songs!  

The group eating a feast! 

Rice wine and Karaoke 

The next morning I woke with a bit of a hangover, but nothing a nice banana pancake(or five) breakfast can cure.  So set out for another glorious day trekking.  It was simply beautiful as the sun decided to share its wonderful kinda warm rays with us and we got to see Sapa in a new "light".  

We ended the day back in Sapa town( where we indulged in the hottest shower yet!)  and boarded the night train again and headed back to Hanoi, where we would be heading out to Halong Bay pronto.  Once we arrived in Hanoi at 4 am, we went back the area  were we had been staying, thinking that the city would still be sleeping away.  To our surprise sleeping was the last thing going on, as over 100 Vietnamese people were doing Tai Chi around the lake.  It was crazy.

Anyway internet is slow out here in Laos, we will catch you up on Halong Bay and Laos in the next week.  

Take Care 

 Happy Birthday to Missie (tomorrow! were going to learn how to control, ride, communicate, feed and bathe elephants)

having troubles getting the rest of the photos up, will post soon

Pictures from the last post

Us with Adam and Alix at the My Son temples

 My Son

Measuring up my waste.

Peek a Boo

Dressed to impress

The Coat! 

This is the 'copy' of the coat I had to steal for our tailor to make for me.

Saying goodbye to Adam and Alix.. but not for long! 

Just came back from our Sapa/Halong Bay tours and they were fantastic! 

We had promised you more pictures of  Hoi An, so here they are!  Enjoy :)

Hoi An and just a taste of Hanoi

Hello everyone! Here is the lastest from our last week in Hoi An and beginning of our time in Hanoi.

                            

Hoi An is a riverside, quaint little tourist town, known to ooze with charm and history. 

And I can tell you, it sure doesn't disappoint.   The river is located downtown in Hoi An's old quarter and is  lined with beautiful old french buildings, boats and the smell of freshly baking baguettes..all day long!  You can find delicious little resteraunts serving all types of tasty  Hoi An specialities from its different influences ( french, chinese and japanese..to name a few) one of our favorites being Cao Lao ( which is noodles combined with croutons, bean sprouts and greens, topped with pork slices and crumbled, crispy rice paper with a mild teriyaki sauce..mmm mmm!)  There are also many tailors and souvenir shops and a beautiful Japanese bridge to cross the river. And, at night the town becomes lit up from beautiful silk lanterns.. ohhh the beauty! 

       

                               

Crazy old ladies gave us a boat ride (shaun did all the paddling! haha)

         

View of the French architecture. 

   

 Hoi An is also known as the only vietnamese town along the tourist trail to have escaped destruction from war, which makes it easy to envelope yourself in the retained history alone,   dating back to as many as 2200 years!  We spent a day exploring, learning about the Champa kingdom which reigned Hoi An from the 2nd to 10th century. We went to a local Champa museums where we saw a collection of artifacts from these times.  We also visited a few temples and pagodas and an 'old house' named the Tan Ky House, whose family has lived their for several generations.   We walked the local market sampling all kinds of local treats ( some excellent and some have a definite 'required taste' ) we swear the people that work there do not sleep because we passed the market again at night ( 3am ) and they were all there.. swarming the local fishermen who had just arrived with tomorrows fresh catch of fish. 

Japanese Bridge

Quan Cong Temple

Inside the temple

Chinese Assembly Hall

    

At the local market (note the nice pig tail and hooves!)

      

At the Hoi An History Museum

Shaun and I had decided back home that once we arrived in Hoi An we would get tailor made clothes.  So we spent a few hours checking the different tailors, their quality and what they had to offer. After some time we decided on a place where we both spoiled ourselves and got some beautifully made tailored outfits. Shaun: Three dress pants,  Four tailored dress shirts,  A classy winter jacket and even a pair of dress shoes! Missie: Two gorgeous winter jackets, two tailored dresses, one pair of jeans, two pair of boots, one pair of sandals!  

And speaking of the gorgeous jackets.. I had to do a lot of hard, dirty work to have one of my jackets made.. I even had to go as low as to steal!! hahaha!

What I mean is: During the time Shaun and I were shopping around for a tailor, I tried on this jacket that I fell in love with the very second I put it on. When I dared to ask the price they told me 100 US dollars..YIKES! I knew there would be no way I could afford that..so I sadly continued to look. When we did choose a tailor I tried so hard to explain this coat ( and trying to explain the details of a coat with a language barrier can be just a bit difficult ) so, finally our tailor told me " ok, now you go take picture of jacket. " ...which is no big deal right.. WRONG!

Because the day before I had seen another guy take a picture of a shirt in a store as he walked by, before he knew it the vietnamese tailor was running out of her shop yelling and grabbing at his camera telling him to "DELETE! DELETE!" Now,  you can imagine I was only just a little nervous to go into a high class expensive tailor and take pictures to steal the design of THEIR jacket... but I hopped on our tailors scooter and she parked around the corner and I went into the store ( so nervous ) trying to act casual, walked up to the jacket, snapped a quick photo and RAN! I didn't bother to look back, hopped back on the scooter and away we went.

 

We met some really great friends, Alix and Adam here in Vietnam and had a chance to meet back up with them in Hoi An  where we had a great night on the town and shared some indian food.  We are hoping to see them again in the Philippines around January.  Other then that we are still just having a great time, taking in all that Vietnam has to offer. 

Currently we are in Hanoi and are a few hours away from our trip to Sapa and Halong Bay for one week.  We are both extremely excited about both so you will definitely be hearing about them when we are finished.  Thank you again for keeping up with us.  

Love, 

Missie 

We had one more little adventure in Hoi An that we will definitely remember and it wasn't the fact that we went and saw the ancient ruins that were worked on from the 2nd century all the way to the 12th century (longest development of ruins in southeast asia!) it was the journey getting there and back.  So one night we ( me, missie and a Candian/Sweedish couple) decided that we would get up early and rent our own motor bikes and make our way to the ruins, avoiding the charge of a tour guide, and make the journey with our new acquired super detailed map.  By super detailed I mean a 2inch * 3inch business card with a very, I mean very, vague map on the back.

So we rose bright and early ( 8 am so early!) and negotiated our bikes, for a heaping $3 per day and hit the road.  About ten minutes in we hit a fork in the road, a fork that was not describe on the detailed map and with the locals knowing seriously no english it was a very long and hard journey to the ruins.  I never knew that 45 km can take 2 hours of driving, even when you never get really lost for more then 10 minutes.  But when your looking for the ancient ruins of My Son, it does take that long.  Trying to navigate our way for two hours wasn't even the hard part, the hard part was doing it in freezing cold ( 16 degrees) weather, while its pouring rain, wearing only shorts and a t-shirt and on top of that all having a little disagreement with your girlfriend, thats the tough part!

Who would of thought that you needed to pack a sweater and long warm pants when going to Southeast Asian?  Last time I was in Southeast Asia it was blistering hot and even wearing a t-shirt a night made me sweat and feel like I was going to literally melt as fast as the ice in our whiskey buckets.  But in Vietnam during November its WINTER and its actually cold!  So Missie and I were lacking the warm clothes as we left them at home thinking that a sweater was going to be a thought of the past.  But we were wrong.  And I was wrong when Missie kept saying that we should buy some warm clothes and I would say "AWE were just hitting some bad weather, what are we going to do with the clothes when its hot?"  Clearly I wasn't thinking, cause we just could throw them out if we never needed them!  Anyway long story short Missie and I were freezing, wet and mad because I was a wise traveller thinking that we had to limit our weight in our bag, not thinking that we need to prepare for current conditions.  So the rest of the day was really....down, like the weather and we look at the ruins and enjoyed them but couldn't wait to get home.  

All in all it was a eventful day, we showed the Canadian/Sweedish couple that YES every couple has its moments as we all laughed it off over some..well lots! of local vodka and went and danced the night away ending with a 4 AM bowls of the great Pho soup.

So were now sitting in a restaurant waiting for some food before we take off on the night train to Sapa (which the coldest part in Vietnam as it hugs the northern Vietnam/China border.) But don't worry we bought some sweaters and pants!  Who would have thought buying that sort of stuff in Vietnam!  

Anyhow we have better get going as we have some last minute stuff to do.  We have uploaded the maximum amount of pictures of the blog so when we get back we'll get some of the My Son ruins, which really 'ruin' my day! haha

take care

shaun