Sunday, July 06, 2008
Good Morning Vietnam!
EARLY RISERS IN HANOI
I am on my last day of my Asian adventure, and the best morning so far. I am now in Hanoi, Vietnam. We decided to wake up early and walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. The streets are busy as early as 5am where you see food vendors on the sidewalk, people jogging around the lake followed by some yoga sessions or playing other sports (eg. badminton, sipa, etc.).
Exercises around Hoan Kiem Lake
I had one full day in Hanoi and it was more than enough when you the day already started at 5am. Most shops are closed by 10pm, so it was just in time for our 1am flight to Manila. Hanoi is a mix of Chinese and French influence. You can see a lot of people selling in the streets, riding bicycles and motorbikes. I survived one hell of a ride in that motorbike with an expert driver I must say, yet my heart was beating really fast wondering how I will survive another minute. :)
Photos below reminded me so much of Paris.
The one on the left is the opera house and the one on the right is an HSBC branch. :)
CRUISING THROUGH HALONG BAY and CAT BA ISLAND
Halong Bay was highly recommended by my friends. We went for the boat cruise for 3 days and 2 nights and got a good deal for $95 which included the 3 hour drive from Hanoi, food, accommodation and all the cycling/kayaking rentals.
The first day was just sailing through thousands of limestone rocks, kayaking by the bay, going inside a big cave and enjoying seafood for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We spent the night in the boat. As the weather was a bit misty, there were no stars in the sky, yet the lights from other boats were very visible enough to enjoy the soft mist of the night.
The second day was a more active day with some trekking, swimming, and cycling. It was refreshing to do some cycling again and tiring when we have to climb up a hill. There were stopovers in between and nature was right next to you that made me relax and enjoy the ride.
The third day was drizzling a bit but just in time for the way back to Hanoi. A final cruise around the bay to remind us that the view is extraordinary though it may seem ordinary now for the past days. The tour ends with great food, great company of travelers and a satisfied tourist with all the adventures so far.
Exercises around Hoan Kiem Lake
I had one full day in Hanoi and it was more than enough when you the day already started at 5am. Most shops are closed by 10pm, so it was just in time for our 1am flight to Manila. Hanoi is a mix of Chinese and French influence. You can see a lot of people selling in the streets, riding bicycles and motorbikes. I survived one hell of a ride in that motorbike with an expert driver I must say, yet my heart was beating really fast wondering how I will survive another minute. :)
Photos below reminded me so much of Paris.
The one on the left is the opera house and the one on the right is an HSBC branch. :)
CRUISING THROUGH HALONG BAY and CAT BA ISLAND
Halong Bay was highly recommended by my friends. We went for the boat cruise for 3 days and 2 nights and got a good deal for $95 which included the 3 hour drive from Hanoi, food, accommodation and all the cycling/kayaking rentals.
The Dream Voyage Tour Group
The first day was just sailing through thousands of limestone rocks, kayaking by the bay, going inside a big cave and enjoying seafood for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We spent the night in the boat. As the weather was a bit misty, there were no stars in the sky, yet the lights from other boats were very visible enough to enjoy the soft mist of the night.
An attempt to catch some squids at 1am.
The second day was a more active day with some trekking, swimming, and cycling. It was refreshing to do some cycling again and tiring when we have to climb up a hill. There were stopovers in between and nature was right next to you that made me relax and enjoy the ride.
Smoking the vietnamese way... just for photo purposes as I don't smoke.
The day ended quite early at 4pm where we checked in the hotel with some bay view, then met more tourists from other countries for some drinks until the night was finished at 1am. The lights were slowly being turned off as if a sign to start packing up.
The third day was drizzling a bit but just in time for the way back to Hanoi. A final cruise around the bay to remind us that the view is extraordinary though it may seem ordinary now for the past days. The tour ends with great food, great company of travelers and a satisfied tourist with all the adventures so far.
