What We Did At Hanoi..

We arrived at our guest house at about 4.30 pm from Ha Long Bay. After taking shower, we immediately shoot off for sight seeing as we knew we are already running short of time. We only have one and a half day to explore Hanoi City before taking the next flight off, which is a day after tomorrow at 9.15 am. Photo: Hoan Kiem Lake
I have a long list of places of interest that I wanted to visit. I knew they are somewhere close along the Old Quarter, but walking down Hanoi street is very confusing as they have so many streets at the Old Quarter, horizontally and vertically and damn it ! the traffic is terrible with lots of motorbikes, bicycles and cars honk at each other ! So, the best thing to do is to get a good street map. Photo: The Army Museum
Photo: The Flag Tower next to the Army Museum

Photo: The Army Museum
Photo: Statue of Vi Le Nin
Photo: busy street... of Hanoi

Photo: Bird's eye view of the Army Museum

Photo: Ngon Son Temple..
Photo: Van Mieu ( Temple Of Literature)
Photo: The Stele Of Doctor Laureates at the Van Mieu

Photo: Inside Temple Of Literature
Photo: Inside the Temple Of Literature

Photo: Frontage of Temple of Literature
Photo: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Photo: Just Me "N" us.. in front of Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum

Photo: At the front of Ho Chi Minh's Museum
Photo: The Shrine next to the One Pillar Pagoda
Photo: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square

Photo: The Army Office

Finally, the Guan Ann Ngon Hawker Center at No. 18, Than Boi Chau Street. A very posh hawker centre and slightly expensive but worth going.. ( video courtesy of eden88888 at youtube)

We left Hanoi on the early morning of 12 th of December 2007 with fond memories..

2D/1N At The Amazing Ha Long Bay

Arrived Hanoi Train station at 4.30 am sharp. Took a taxi straight to Hanoi Guest House. Somehow, I still think we got cheated by the taxi, as he brought us around the city until the meter reads VND70,000. Anyway, when we got to the guesthouse, we immediately take our shower and had breakfast at the stall next door. At 8.30 am sharp, our van came to pick us up to Ha Long Bay. Our group comprises of 1 German and 2 Singaporean. Quite a small group for a boat with 8 rooms. The journey took 3 hours by road to the jetty.
Our package include all meals (except drinks) plus 1 night accommodation on the boat and entrance fees for Cave visit, Swimming at the beach and Kayaking.

Photo: Visiting the Cave
Photo: Kayaking

Photo: At the beach.. but the water was too cold for a swim

Photo: The Amazing Ha Long Bay
Photo: Boat selling sundries and fruits
Overnight on board the boat. Photo: Boat selling during the night.. including beverages...

Photo: Boat selling in the morning

Had breakfast on the boat. We left for Hanoi after lunch near the jetty. Photo: Fisherman at work.

The Sapa Adventure - 2nd Day

Right after we finished our breakfast, we begin our walk at 9 am to the next destination... down the terrain to Lao Chai and Ta'Van Village. We were told that it would be a 18km walk and nothing else.
Today, the weather is very cold and foggy. So taking photos won't be very nice. However, I think I took the most pictures today in one place as I think this is the most beautiful place and the scenery is so picturesque even though it's very foggy. This blog also have a lot of photos included because I feel that they look nice, not so colourful but at least nice in my memory..

I like the photo above. The H'mong baby and The H'mong mother and the baby. That is why I also put them in my Photo Blog. They followed us all the way from the beginning of our journey.

At first we thought they wanted to sell us souvenirs. But after a few times telling them that we do not need anything for the moment, as we just started our trekking.., they just smile and followed us. We never thought that they would come handy as we trek down the hills. Somewhere before we completed our journey, I feel oblige that that they deserve something as they are of good help... all along the way especially leading us the walk down the muddy track and down the hill and slippery slope. Just for you readers info, they didn't even ask for anything towards the end of the journey. So, we offer to buy some stuffs from them without bargaining. We know other tribes can give us half the price or even cheaper, but we just want to give them something as a gesture of their kindness to us. From her look, I know she is very happy for it.
Our first stop, for a short break..
...at around 10 am and it is still very foggy....

..... walking down the hill..., luckily I bought the walking stick from the H'mong boys.. Didn't expect they sold something with that purpose... ..... it's down.. and still down... the hill...
.... and down, with the help of the H'mong lady and a young girl...

Beautiful scenery all the way... still foggy
..... no sweat....

.... never stop taking photos...

wow..!!! a photo of me.. the owner of this blog !
One photo for the H'mong mother with the baby behind her back..
The entourage... invading the Sapa Village..
Oopps, be careful... very slippery and muddy...

Stop for a photo or for a rest ..??
Me and my super walking stick....
Let's have some fun... and some more pictures....
See.. we are at the very end of the mountain...

Never say tired... the trekking is rewarding....
Finally reach the resting point. The guide prepare for our meal at the valley...
... some more time for taking more pictures...
This is one of the nice picture I have taken... It's like a painting, isn't it ?

Well, on the move again...
When we were reaching Lao Chai Village, a group of tribe people waiting for our arrival trying to sell us something..

Reaching Ta'Van Village...

It seems like every stop have nice scenery to offer...
We reach the final stop at around 4 pm. A bus came to pick us up to go back to the hotel.

From today's trekking, I know I have learnt something from it.... I know I do see something, I learn something and I gain a lot from the experience of this walk.. something that I will always remember and treasured...

Last hour shopping... and taking photos before going back...
Taking a photo of a barbecued dog's meat at the Market..
Well last picture of Sapa. We left Sapa at 5.30 pm for Lao Cai Train Station. Stop at a restaurant for a plate of Fried Kueh Teow before catching up with the 8.15 pm train back to Hanoi.