After leaving Hue and our friend Tuan, we took our last night bus direction Hanoi.
We arrived in the capital early in the morning, and were quite amazed to find ourselves in a pretty quite and green city. We did not expect this after the crazy hectic Saigon – other Big City of Vietnam.
Our hostel was in the Old Quarter, the old town which is still full of small, colonial buildings and tiny streets that host markets and little shops all day long!
After a couple hours we realized that the calm impression we first got had to be readapted a bit…scooters still cycle like crazy everywhere, and when the market starts also people crowd meat fish vegetables are EVERYWHERE!!
The overall feeling i got though was not of a very industrialized or commercialized capital, since it is still quite original, with not many skyscrapers around..
Also, in the heart of the centre we can find a little lake, hosting a tiny island, the Red bridge and the turtle tower in it, and nice green surroundings where to have a walk. Side note : on Sunday the streets around are even closed to traffic!!!
After spending one day in Hanoi, we left for Ha Long Bay…. what a wonder. Such an increbly stunning creation of nature. 1969 little islands give life to this spectacular scenary that we got to witness from a boat during 2 days and staying overnight.
We went on cruise tour that brought us to visit a cave on one of the islands..
Then kayaking in the bay (i even managed to swim there in the sunset time…priceless)
And then spent the night in the bay – This has been the first time I slept on a boat!
I didnt really like the concept of these organized tours, but we had no choice due to time constraints. Being in a rush to do scheduled things and sorrounded by so many people and boats doing the same activities is not my biggest like… however the beauty of the setting was still worth it!
And I have the feeling that some time I will be back there again.
After Ha Long, we went back to Hanoi for the last day in Vietnam. The weather passed from being perfect to heavy rain… it seems like Vietnam is sad we’re leaving. Totally reciprocated !
Today also bad news from occidental world…but I am flying soon, so may the height give me new perspectives on things down on the ground. Let me just stay some time in the clouds…
Goodbye for now Vietnam and cám on !
Electricity in Space 