Vietnam

It's been about 2 months since our trip to northern Vietnam, where we toured Hanoi, Sapa, and Halong Bay with a group of 7 other people, mostly current and former fellow teachers from our international school. Here are some excerpts from our journal entries, conversations, and random thoughts.

Friday, 10 April, 10:13am
What's with all the honking? Honking your horn seems to be the norm in Hanoi, which is totally a shock to our Bangkok selves who are constantly impressed by the honking restraint of the Thais. The randomness of traffic seems to work for the Vietnamese, but we're having a harder time adjusting. Whoa - we just almost got run over by a motorcycle.

Apparently, the hotel we originally booked is "getting remodeled," so they moved us to a "nicer hotel." Does "nicer" in Vietnam equate to moldy and dark? If so, we're in the nicest hotel in town.

I love pho.








Saturday, 11 April, 5:25am

The overnight train to Sapa is surprisingly clean and cozy. Of course, Ryan thinks the temperature is too hot and spent the entire night sweating. Luckily we're with a big group so we're sharing the berth with our friends Kirk and Julie instead of strangers.
"Tea! Golfing!" says the attendant selling tea and coffee. "I'll take tea, please," says Kirk. "20,000 dong," she replies and hands him his tea.

Saturday, 11 April, 5:25am and 30 seconds
It's time to get off the train!

Sunday, 12 April, 8:15pm
The ride to Sapa was windy and a bit scary at times, but absolutely beautiful! Our hotel, the Cat Cat View, is a huge place with cute, clean rooms and breathtaking views of the mountains and terraced rice fields. Despite being a cloudy day, "shadows" trailed us everywhere. "Shadows" being the Hmong ladies selling wall hangings and purses that immediately accost you when you leave the hotel.






Sapa is located in northern Vietnam, at 4,000 feet elevation and 3 hours away from the Chinese border. There are several different tribes of indigenous people living there, among them the Black Hmong, Red Hmong, and Dzao. It's easy to see why the French choose this picturesque, cool location for their holiday getaways. Ryan likens it to a mixture of Nepal and Luang Prabang. I could definitely live here.









Tuesday, 14 April, 4:32pm
We booked a tour on a boat in Halong Bay. The area is beautiful, with limestone rock formations scattered throughout the water. We were starving when we got on the boat! Good thing the food was delicious, but with 5 people sharing small family style dishes we were still hungry.
"Can we have some more fish?" we asked our guide.
"Let me check with the captain," he replied. A few minutes later..."The captain said no."
"But that table only has 2 people and they have the same amount of food."
Blank stare.
I think this is a bad sign.


Wednesday, 15 April, 8:45am
Apparently we signed up for the diet boat. Breakfast...lightly toasted white bread, mushy apples, 1 egg each.
"Can we have some more coffee?" asks Hannah. The waiter shakes his head. Because it's not a day on the boat until someone tells you no.

Wednesday, 15 April, 11:30am

Here we are at one of the islands, going on a hike. Slippery, muddy, and wet, we climb up tothe lookout point. Every time we turn a corner, our hiking guide is in a different tree and Tarzaning himself down vines to continue leading the group. We're trying to make friends with the Canadian couple so we can sit at their table and share their food. "Beautiful view, ay?" Ryan says, trying to speak in their native tongue. He does not point out their flapping heads and beady little eyes.

Wednesday, 15 April, 1:30pm
We are having lunch at a restaurant on the island and eating as much as we can to replenish our reserves for dinner tonight. Katie is enjoying pho. She takes a bite of her meat. "I think this is dog."
"Awesome," I say.
"I know, I'm really excited about it," she replies.

Wednesday, 15 April, 8pm
It worked! We are eating a full meal with the Canadians! Finally, we're not hungry. And they're so nice we enjoy talking with them. We don't feel like we're just using them for their food anymore.

Thursday, 16 April, 1:45am
Scratch scratch scratch.
"Ryan, what's that noise?"
BANG BANG BANG! He pounds on the ceiling. The noises stop, then start up again a few minutes later. Rats.
Apparently we signed up for the diet boat from hell.

Present Day
Traveling with a large group made every hang-up a hilarious adventure, and our trip was wonderful! The people in Vietnam are friendly, the food is good (just not on our boat in Halong Bay!), the scenery and weather are beautiful. We highly recommend it if you get the chance, and we are already looking forward to returning to Sapa.

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