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Our SE Asia Tour 2013
We travelled by car today to Tam Coc (Halong Bay on land). It was about a two hour drive across the Red River plains in drab grey winter weather so not very interesting. We had a good guide and driver though. Passing Ninh Binh city we first stopped at a temple complex which had been built in the16th century to mark the site of Vietnam Nam's first capital 1,000 years ago when they first obtained independence from the Chinese. On to lunch where the highlight of the area appears to be mountain goat (features extensively on billboards) - the goats themselves are cute critters which can be seen wandering around the surrounding hills. Then a short bicycle ride to another pagoda built into a hillside. The cave here apparently appears in the movie Indochine but in person it wasn't much. Then the highlight of the day was a tour of the karst landscape by sampan. The unusual aspect of these sampans is that the the rowers row with their legs (most of the rowers are ladies). It is a two hour round trip so by the time you get back you have cramp in your ankles, knees and hips. At the furthest turn around point the locals have a nice little ploy where they hold you captive and try to sell you snacks, drinks and trinkets, none of which you want. Our lady was most disappointed with us. On the long drive back to Hanoi we dozed of course. We dined again at the same restaurant as last night. Very popular with locals and we had the same very friendly and attentive waiter.
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