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Well since we rolled into Hanoi looking like Sleepy and Grumpy from Snow White and the seven dwarfs we decided that even though we needed rest we would soldier on for the evening. The night we got there, we decided to have a walk about and grab some grub. We had been recomended by Natalie and James to go see some water puppetry whilst we were here. It is seen as the greatest water puppetry in the country in Hanoi as it originated in northern Vietnm and always tiped as the best palce to catch a show. We tried to buy tickets at the main theatre but the demand is that high by tourist and locals alike that they were sold out for the next three days. We left it with our trusty and very helpfull hotel owner and she tracked down another theatre for us. The only thing was that it was about 10km away. Now Hanoi is a big place and the traffic here is absolutely mental. So we set off in a taxi at 4pm so we could make it there and buy tickets for the 5pm show. We made it with 20 minutes to spare, grabed a couple of beers and took our seats not knowing what to expect. The band made their way to the stage and took their positions. They started to play and sing and the magic happened. From beneath the water and from behind a bamboo mat, puppets would pop up and from behind acting out different scenes along with the music. We didnt have a clue what it was all about but couldnt help but watch like kids watching cartoons. A scene started with two dragons chasing a ball through the water. As they jumped about the water with their mouths flapping open, I couldnt help but laugh as they looked like Sydney the dog's mouth did, always open with his comic book style tounge hanging out. All of a sudden there was flashing lights and fireworks going off underneath the water giving a great effect whilst seven puppets popped up to do a little dance. We left feeling like kids with smiles beaming from us. We still could'nt tell you what the story was but we loved it all the same.
We hit the street to try to hail a cab back to our hotel at 6pm. Never a good time for traffic in any city never mind Hanoi. They have four lanes going in both directions and I have never seen so many scooters in all my life. The roads were that full they were driving on the paths too. One cheeky sod beeped his horn at us because we were on the path. Absolute Hanoi motor madness! The first taxi we asked to take us to our hotel refused due to the traffic, or he probably couldnt be arsed to drive us across Hanoi which is more likely. We found a friendly local who helped us by hailing us a cab and sent us on our way. He must have felt sorry for the two English people surrounded by motorbikes with a look of fear in their eyes. We got back to our hotel within 20 minutes and quickly checked out the clothes stores as I had spotted a few t-shirts that I liked earlier. I bought two for 100,000 dong ($4), proper bargin. We decided to go against asian food for the evening and opted for a night in with pizza and a movie in our room.
We had arranged a two day tour to Halong Bay the next day and were picked up at 8.30am and driven to Halong City taking around 4 hours. Once we arrived at the docks of Halong all you could see were Junk boats stretching the length of the dock and they were also dotted about in the water of the Gulf of Tonkin. We hopped onto a boat to take us to our boat for the next few days, The Elizabeth Junk. As soon as we boarded we were impressed with the decor of the boat and were quite taken back at the quality of it too. We hadnt really expected that level of luxury for what we paid. Turned out that it was one of the best rooms we have stayed in up to now and with the king of all showers. We have stayed in hotels were you can only have a cold shower and here we are bobbing about on a boat having the hottest, greatest shower of our trip. We were asked to make our way up to the second deck of the boat so they could serve us dinner. We all sat and the show beggan. They were bringing out food like prizes on the generation game, never ending dishes of fish, prawns, squid, soups, rice, salads and many more. This continued at every meal time to nobodys disliking. With our bellies well and truely full, we had a scout about the boat and sat on the top deck as the Elizabeth Junk slowly chugged her way through the emerald blue waters past the mysterious vegetation covered islands. There are round 3000 of these islands dotted throughout Halong Bay and you float by them as they appear through the mist. It's an absolutly beautiful place and we couldnt get over the colour of the water. After a couple of hours sailing we arrived at the caves within one of the islands. We had to climb a great set of stairs to enter the cave but once in we were blown away by the size of the place. It had been lit up with blue, red and yellow lights giving extra depth and shape to the caves freaky natural structure. It felt like we were on a film set for a sci-fi movie on some distant planet. After walking through the monster cave, we climbed back down the stairs and returned to our boat for an evening of more food, drinks and a comfortable bed.
The next day we woke in time for breakfast at 8am and as the food before, the same quantity applied. The plate of toast that was put on our table for six people could have fed the whole boat easily. After many a cup of coffee and toast coming out of our ears, we hit the top deck for a day of doing nothing as we sailed further into Halong Bay and returned to the docks at around 11am. It was just what we needed, a morning of lazing about taking in the beautiful sights whilst slowly making our way back to land. We walked from the docks to a local restaurant with our boat group and were treated again to a lunch of epic preportions. Rolling onto the bus with the buttons on our pants open, we got comfortable for the ride back to Hanoi.
On returning to Hanoi, we pulled into the hotel we were staying at as they had stored our bags for us while we were away in Halong Bay. We had organized a sleeper train to take us to Hue that night leaving at 7pm. We took a taxi at 6pm to give us plenty of time to make it there and find our beds on the train for the night. The first thing about first impressions is that you only get one. This impression was totally valid though, the first thing that hit us on the train was the smell. It was like a bin full of rotting veg. We got used to it after a while and got out heads down on our prison style beds for a bit of well needed sleep. The train was supposed to take around 10-11 hours but somehow it took 17 instead. I dont think we will be taking a sleeper train again any time soon. But we are in Hue safe and sound. Our plans for today were dashed by the rain so we decided to walk about, find a bar and have a good few drinks. So thats what is on the cards for tonight and we cant wait to have our first lye in, in what feels like a lifetime.
Love Peter and Ashleigh x
- comments
Batty Ar i wanna go to the puppet show!!!! Sounds fab. The sleeper train omg can you imagine if Dim had 17 hours worth of travelling with au de cabbage in the air!!!! So glad you are both having the most amazing time, cant believe how much stuff you are doing, i would be so lazy if it was me!! Missing you both loads still, love yas xxxxxxx
MAM & DAD This storey will be never ending, the photos are brill and the blog fantastic writing Peter it all makes you feel, we are there with you which gets us away from the winter weather for a while, really glad you both done this adventure together, fantastic journey you will never forget enjoy every minute, because every one else is. Be safe lots of love MAM & DAD XXXXXXX
MAM & RAY Hi kids well once again the photos are smashing loved the ones of the caves & the Elizabeth junk boat and all that lovely food mmmmm made me wish i was on it with you its great to have a bit of luxury now & again eh ? it dose my hart good to see all you two are doing and seeing bet you feel the same Marg Ernie & Steve eh thats our kid,s doing all this fantastic stuff proud of you both or what .thats enough of the mushy stuff back to earth we did it again Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 good one eh!!! playing again tomorrow night hope its 3 in a row eh ! .well ill say good night stay safe luv you heeps MAM & RAY xxxxxxxxxxxx
MAM & DAD We are glad to hear you got back home Jace, and your mam is looking after you now, nothing like your mam taking care of you eh man priceless. We wish you a speedy recovery to be ready for the New Year when Ash & Peter arrive Marg & Ernie XX