Monday 31 August
Today we were on a mission to try and complete our purchases in case tomorrow is our GnR (Giving and Receiving ceremony). I went swimming and then after breakfast, which is really good here, a great selection: fresh fruit, cereals, hams, cheeses, breads various sorts and jams, juices, danishes, croissants and then you have a selection of hot foods to choose from, eggs and bacon, beans, omelettes - any type you want, eggs benedict, in fact eggs any way you like. Tea and coffee - all of this is in your bed and breakfast rate. You can stock up for the day and you don't need to eat until supper - well I don't, Dennis can't quite manage it the odd cake/dessert keeps slipping in!
We finally headed off after chatting to a couple who are going home tomorrow, their family now complete.
Today was no different, extremely hot and humid. We went and arranged for a couple of photos to be printed off and then, very importantly, got some money. We decided to get a taxi from the hotel to the Vietnamese quilt shop. This shop sells quilts of all different shapes and sizes, cushion covers, decorations, table runners, pillow cases etc. It was founded in 2001 and is an income generation project that offers income and employment for rural women which enable these women to remain in their communities and care for their children and families. We purchased a quilt, play mat and some Christmas decorations and arranged for them to be shipped home. They are beautiful.
Next stop was the teddy bear shop - we failed totally here - one for another day.
Bookshop was next on the agenda. We went to the popular bookshop by the Water Puppet Theatre, however the book we were specifically looking for was not there. We walked along Hoan Kiem Lake to the street where we purchased our gifts for the orphanage and in the shop where we found the colouring books, we found the book that we were looking for. It is a book in both Vietnamese and English about the ethnic people that our son comes from. There are 54 tribes that contribute to the make up of Vietnam.
Then we walked back to the hotel, very, very slowly. On our return there was a message from Miss Quy, our GnR is to be on Thursday. We have to be in reception, ready to leave at 6.00am with everything that we need. At least now we know, just 2 more days to wait. Wednesday is the National Day and will be a bank holiday so maybe that has something to do with the choice of date, maybe not!
After a bit of Googling we found the teddy bear shop so at least now we can go there tomorrow and tick that off our list of things to do. Slowly but surely we are getting there.
We are going to go to another Vietnamese restaurant this evening and will report back tomorrow.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday 30 August
Ha Long Bay - travel writers try to describe it, pictures attempt to show it, even Top Gear have had the three stooges competing in a motorbike race against each other, across part of Vietnam to get there. It is currently in the race to be voted one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world. It is truly phenomenal.
We left at 8.00am on a tourist bus to complete the 193km journey from Hanoi. The route began similarly to that of our journey to Lang Son, out of Hanoi, across the Red River and onto the main road to China. We travelled as far as Bac Ninh, an hour's ride and then we turned northeast towards Ha Long City.
As expected it was incredibly hot and very humid. The landscape was much flatter here. The water lilies were smaller, more genteel and a beautiful lilac colour. As we drove further there seemed to be more and more building works going on. During our comfort break I asked our guide Tam about them. A lot of the building in this area is for industrial purposes and it shows. The tall thin buildings are residential. Here, as in Ireland, the Vietnamese buy their own homes. They borrow money from the banks just as we do and pay it back over a period of time. Unless, of course they are lucky enough to be given a plot of land by their family on which they can build.
We passed a huge coal-fired power station belching black smoke into the air, it was absolutely huge, Battersea power station would have paled into insignificance next to it. It provided the power for the whole area. Canon, Sanyo and Fujisawa were just some of the companies already here. Canada has an International School here, so they too have a presence. China also has interests in the area.
Just as quickly as this blot appeared on the landscape we were back into the visual splendour that we have come to expect. Lush vegetation, lots of banana trees, water buffalo and cattle.
As we neared Ha Long City the skies darkened, a mist dropped from nowhere, lightening flashed and the heavens opened. The rain bounced off the road, off the pavements and off the people. Some of the smarter street side vendors quickly changed their wares from sandals to wellies! Dogs ran for cover whilst the residents took refuge under the canvas covers belonging to the street vendors. Large summer sun umbrellas suddenly found a new use.
Muddy red rivulets ran off the pavements on to the roads as the clay mixed with the water, pot holes filled rapidly and you could hardly see out of the bus windows. I have never been caught in anything like it - amazing.
It started to ease off as we neared Ha Long Bay, the mist lifted, the rain softened and our first view of the Bay was looked like ghostly shapes appearing in the distance. Ha Long is made up of over 2000 small islands and islets. It would take over 7 years to visit every single one. We were heading for one of the most popular. Hang Sung Sot.
We pulled into the port and collected out belongs and waited for our guide to get our tickets. Our boat was too big to enter the harbour itself so we boarded a tender that took us out to our floating hotel. The view from the water was amazing. There were quite a lot of other junks in the harbour jostling for position, passengers both boarding and alighting. As we sailed out into the bay all became quieter, calmer. The islets rose out of the water like small icebergs - you didn't really know how much was submerged underneath. These limescale rock formations were covered with vegetation, trees and the like.
We boarded the boat and received our room keys. The rooms were spacious, beautifully styled with mahogany floors and fixtures and fittings. The separate bathroom had a toilet and was also a wet room with two showers. The boat did really look like the promotional material - most unusual.
Lunch was served, fish soup, fresh king prawns, spicy spring rolls, grilled fish in lemongrass, ginger and coriander. Chicken, beef, fresh spinach with garlic and sauce, steamed rice, with water melon for dessert. Delicious.
During lunch we cruised towards our destination, Hang Sung Sot. This island has three interlinked caves which have been lit to maximum efect. Stalagmites and stalactites have formed and in some places formed, a monkey, a bear and even female Buddha to mention a few. We reached this island by tender and then we climbed up a maze of steps to reach the caves and then we went down. The cave doing nothing to ease the humidity levels. Every now and again we felt a drip of cold water from the ceiling but that was the only relief against the heat. You can only walk one way through the caves and so as we moved from one to the other we steadily climbed further upwards. The air became quite dense and we frequently needed to take on water. As we emerged from the last cave we peered out across the bay, hundreds of the islets lay before us. It was truly stunning. We then began the climb down towards the other side of the islet back to the tender.
From here we cruised around to another part of the bay where we got into kayaks and paddled under our own steam for a while. It was brilliant, weaving in and out of the houses on water, avoiding other smaller craft and kayaks! We did this for nearly an hour, but my arms gave up before our time was up so we returned to the tender from where some of our fellow passengers had chosen to watch. The tender took us back to our boat where we were invited to put on our swimming gear and jump overboard. Not one to turn down a swim I did the former but took the more cautious route and climbed down the ladder instead. The water was very warm and very salty. I swam a short way from the boat and then returned. Dennis watched from the deck along with some of the others. All the time small craft, like punts, kept approaching the boat laden down with tins of Tiger beer, iced soft drinks, biscuits, crisps etc. someone even spotted boxes of boxer shorts on one. All of these boats are operated by the local women. Only so many are allowed to operate so they form a sort of co-operative per boat and take it in terms to paddle out to the tourist boats. It is the way they support their families.
After showering we went back up to the sun deck to cool off with drinks before dinner. Dinner was served at 7.00 and was along similar lines to lunch. The boat then anchored and we stayed in the bay overnight. It was very relaxing.
Sunday 30 August
Breakfast was at 7.30 following which we had to check out of our rooms so that the crew could prepare them for the next set of guests. However, we took the scenic route back to the harbour arriving around 11.45. Just cruising around was so peaceful. The whole experience was superb and possibly insupassable if we were here just for a holiday. We're not and despite the utter beauty we and our fellow travellers felt we were just marking time, we are all waiting. Don't get me wrong we are all extremely glad we went and wouldn't have missed it but we felt that maybe we hadn't fully appreciated the experience.
On arrival at the port we were taken for lunch and then driven back to Hanoi. All the 7 of us really wanted at that point was to get back to Hanoi. 3 and a half hours later we pulled up in front of the hotel. For the first time in a long time all I wanted was a nice cup of Barry's Tea! Now there's Irish for you.
This evening we are just going to slob in front of the Grandprix with chocolates. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have news of the GnR ceremony.
Ha Long Bay - travel writers try to describe it, pictures attempt to show it, even Top Gear have had the three stooges competing in a motorbike race against each other, across part of Vietnam to get there. It is currently in the race to be voted one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world. It is truly phenomenal.
We left at 8.00am on a tourist bus to complete the 193km journey from Hanoi. The route began similarly to that of our journey to Lang Son, out of Hanoi, across the Red River and onto the main road to China. We travelled as far as Bac Ninh, an hour's ride and then we turned northeast towards Ha Long City.
As expected it was incredibly hot and very humid. The landscape was much flatter here. The water lilies were smaller, more genteel and a beautiful lilac colour. As we drove further there seemed to be more and more building works going on. During our comfort break I asked our guide Tam about them. A lot of the building in this area is for industrial purposes and it shows. The tall thin buildings are residential. Here, as in Ireland, the Vietnamese buy their own homes. They borrow money from the banks just as we do and pay it back over a period of time. Unless, of course they are lucky enough to be given a plot of land by their family on which they can build.
We passed a huge coal-fired power station belching black smoke into the air, it was absolutely huge, Battersea power station would have paled into insignificance next to it. It provided the power for the whole area. Canon, Sanyo and Fujisawa were just some of the companies already here. Canada has an International School here, so they too have a presence. China also has interests in the area.
Just as quickly as this blot appeared on the landscape we were back into the visual splendour that we have come to expect. Lush vegetation, lots of banana trees, water buffalo and cattle.
As we neared Ha Long City the skies darkened, a mist dropped from nowhere, lightening flashed and the heavens opened. The rain bounced off the road, off the pavements and off the people. Some of the smarter street side vendors quickly changed their wares from sandals to wellies! Dogs ran for cover whilst the residents took refuge under the canvas covers belonging to the street vendors. Large summer sun umbrellas suddenly found a new use.
Muddy red rivulets ran off the pavements on to the roads as the clay mixed with the water, pot holes filled rapidly and you could hardly see out of the bus windows. I have never been caught in anything like it - amazing.
It started to ease off as we neared Ha Long Bay, the mist lifted, the rain softened and our first view of the Bay was looked like ghostly shapes appearing in the distance. Ha Long is made up of over 2000 small islands and islets. It would take over 7 years to visit every single one. We were heading for one of the most popular. Hang Sung Sot.
We pulled into the port and collected out belongs and waited for our guide to get our tickets. Our boat was too big to enter the harbour itself so we boarded a tender that took us out to our floating hotel. The view from the water was amazing. There were quite a lot of other junks in the harbour jostling for position, passengers both boarding and alighting. As we sailed out into the bay all became quieter, calmer. The islets rose out of the water like small icebergs - you didn't really know how much was submerged underneath. These limescale rock formations were covered with vegetation, trees and the like.
We boarded the boat and received our room keys. The rooms were spacious, beautifully styled with mahogany floors and fixtures and fittings. The separate bathroom had a toilet and was also a wet room with two showers. The boat did really look like the promotional material - most unusual.
Lunch was served, fish soup, fresh king prawns, spicy spring rolls, grilled fish in lemongrass, ginger and coriander. Chicken, beef, fresh spinach with garlic and sauce, steamed rice, with water melon for dessert. Delicious.
During lunch we cruised towards our destination, Hang Sung Sot. This island has three interlinked caves which have been lit to maximum efect. Stalagmites and stalactites have formed and in some places formed, a monkey, a bear and even female Buddha to mention a few. We reached this island by tender and then we climbed up a maze of steps to reach the caves and then we went down. The cave doing nothing to ease the humidity levels. Every now and again we felt a drip of cold water from the ceiling but that was the only relief against the heat. You can only walk one way through the caves and so as we moved from one to the other we steadily climbed further upwards. The air became quite dense and we frequently needed to take on water. As we emerged from the last cave we peered out across the bay, hundreds of the islets lay before us. It was truly stunning. We then began the climb down towards the other side of the islet back to the tender.
From here we cruised around to another part of the bay where we got into kayaks and paddled under our own steam for a while. It was brilliant, weaving in and out of the houses on water, avoiding other smaller craft and kayaks! We did this for nearly an hour, but my arms gave up before our time was up so we returned to the tender from where some of our fellow passengers had chosen to watch. The tender took us back to our boat where we were invited to put on our swimming gear and jump overboard. Not one to turn down a swim I did the former but took the more cautious route and climbed down the ladder instead. The water was very warm and very salty. I swam a short way from the boat and then returned. Dennis watched from the deck along with some of the others. All the time small craft, like punts, kept approaching the boat laden down with tins of Tiger beer, iced soft drinks, biscuits, crisps etc. someone even spotted boxes of boxer shorts on one. All of these boats are operated by the local women. Only so many are allowed to operate so they form a sort of co-operative per boat and take it in terms to paddle out to the tourist boats. It is the way they support their families.
After showering we went back up to the sun deck to cool off with drinks before dinner. Dinner was served at 7.00 and was along similar lines to lunch. The boat then anchored and we stayed in the bay overnight. It was very relaxing.
Sunday 30 August
Breakfast was at 7.30 following which we had to check out of our rooms so that the crew could prepare them for the next set of guests. However, we took the scenic route back to the harbour arriving around 11.45. Just cruising around was so peaceful. The whole experience was superb and possibly insupassable if we were here just for a holiday. We're not and despite the utter beauty we and our fellow travellers felt we were just marking time, we are all waiting. Don't get me wrong we are all extremely glad we went and wouldn't have missed it but we felt that maybe we hadn't fully appreciated the experience.
On arrival at the port we were taken for lunch and then driven back to Hanoi. All the 7 of us really wanted at that point was to get back to Hanoi. 3 and a half hours later we pulled up in front of the hotel. For the first time in a long time all I wanted was a nice cup of Barry's Tea! Now there's Irish for you.
This evening we are just going to slob in front of the Grandprix with chocolates. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have news of the GnR ceremony.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday 27 August
The journey today seemed different, the roads were quieter, if that is possible here and there seemed to be a haze in the distance. Maybe today we just looked farther a field but we noticed more rice fields and a lot more water. There were flocks of ducks and geese on some of them and huge really vibrant pink water lilies. In fact today's journey seemed more sedate altogether.
In some of the fields were shrines and graves, some were even topped by stone crosses. They were all different, some marble, black, white or terracotta and some resembled small pagodas. We passed one such place and it was all over grown and unkempt, when all others were so pristine this was so out of place and wrong somehow.
Somethings that are for sale here no matter where you go, city or rural areas are electrical goods - huge plasma TVs, stereos, DVD recorders etc. It is nothing to see a fridge being delivered secured to the back of a motorbike. And almost everybody has a mobile phone or 2.
Once again the journey took about three hours. Words cannot describe our time there and I'm not going to try. After our visit we were taken to the Council Offices where some legal matters were dealt with and then we began the journey home.
It gets dark here very quickly, when the sunsets it is almost immediate. We left Lang Son at around 4.30 and by 6.00ish we were treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets we can remember. We do have some pics and will post them next week.
We have been informed that all being well our Giving and Receiving ceremony will take place next Tuesday or Thursday, Wednesday is the National Day here so it is a Bank Holiday.
We have booked a trip to Ha long Bay, it is meant to be the 8th Wonder of the World. We are heading off on Saturday morning with a few of our fellow travellers. We drive there by bus and then board a boat on which we live for the next day and half. For those of you who remember the "Death on the Nile" Agatha Christie film the boat looks just like that. So there'll be an entry tomorrow of sorts but then not until our Sunday eve/ Monday morning to let you know how the trip went.
Friday 28 August
Today was sort of a free day,if you can call it that. Firstly we wandered around the streets by the hotel, it was fascinating, very hot and humid. Today is quite overcast in comparison to the other days. Everything smells different and the noise levels are several decibels above what we are used to. Next we went by taxi to a place called the Big C. It is a shopping centre about 15 mins away. If you couldn't purchase anything here then it is not worth selling. We made a few last minute purchases for our new arrival. Later, Dennis is going for a massage in the hotel around the corner, I'm going swimming and then the plan is to go to a local Vietnamese restaurant about 5 mins walk away. It comes highly recommended so as long as we keep Dennis away from the seafood tomorrow we'll be off to Ha long.
The journey today seemed different, the roads were quieter, if that is possible here and there seemed to be a haze in the distance. Maybe today we just looked farther a field but we noticed more rice fields and a lot more water. There were flocks of ducks and geese on some of them and huge really vibrant pink water lilies. In fact today's journey seemed more sedate altogether.
In some of the fields were shrines and graves, some were even topped by stone crosses. They were all different, some marble, black, white or terracotta and some resembled small pagodas. We passed one such place and it was all over grown and unkempt, when all others were so pristine this was so out of place and wrong somehow.
Somethings that are for sale here no matter where you go, city or rural areas are electrical goods - huge plasma TVs, stereos, DVD recorders etc. It is nothing to see a fridge being delivered secured to the back of a motorbike. And almost everybody has a mobile phone or 2.
Once again the journey took about three hours. Words cannot describe our time there and I'm not going to try. After our visit we were taken to the Council Offices where some legal matters were dealt with and then we began the journey home.
It gets dark here very quickly, when the sunsets it is almost immediate. We left Lang Son at around 4.30 and by 6.00ish we were treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets we can remember. We do have some pics and will post them next week.
We have been informed that all being well our Giving and Receiving ceremony will take place next Tuesday or Thursday, Wednesday is the National Day here so it is a Bank Holiday.
We have booked a trip to Ha long Bay, it is meant to be the 8th Wonder of the World. We are heading off on Saturday morning with a few of our fellow travellers. We drive there by bus and then board a boat on which we live for the next day and half. For those of you who remember the "Death on the Nile" Agatha Christie film the boat looks just like that. So there'll be an entry tomorrow of sorts but then not until our Sunday eve/ Monday morning to let you know how the trip went.
Friday 28 August
Today was sort of a free day,if you can call it that. Firstly we wandered around the streets by the hotel, it was fascinating, very hot and humid. Today is quite overcast in comparison to the other days. Everything smells different and the noise levels are several decibels above what we are used to. Next we went by taxi to a place called the Big C. It is a shopping centre about 15 mins away. If you couldn't purchase anything here then it is not worth selling. We made a few last minute purchases for our new arrival. Later, Dennis is going for a massage in the hotel around the corner, I'm going swimming and then the plan is to go to a local Vietnamese restaurant about 5 mins walk away. It comes highly recommended so as long as we keep Dennis away from the seafood tomorrow we'll be off to Ha long.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday 26 August
On re-reading yesterday's post I realised there was not much atmosphere so hopefully this gives a better taste.
The streets are alive with hustle and bustle. Everyone is so close on some of them that you can almost read the clothes size label. If the pavement is good than an assortment of scooters, mopeds and motor cycles are parked on them 2 abreast. If the pavement is broken then you have to walk on the road, either way you literally take your life into your own hands each time you venture out.
As we walked, sorry zig-zagged, up the street to the shopping centre we passed many and I do mean many, street vendors crouched on the ground selling their wares: fruit, cold drinks, local delicacies, teas, we even smelt someone barbecuing under a canvas shelter.
As it was lunchtime people, mainly men, were sitting or crouching on the street corners playing backgammon and Chinese chequers. We walked for approximately 1km and in that short distance we encountered typical Hanoi City life.
Today
Today dawned very early for all of us I think, I had to go swimming just to try and keep my mind off today. I'd finished by 7.30 though and the bus wasn't collecting us until 10.30!
Finally 10.30 arrived, our guides and 2 buses arrived. We left bang on time. The buses made their way out of Hanoi city, negotiating this was a feat alone. Many sharp intakes of breath later from the passengers and we turned onto the main road to China. Lang Son is 18km from the Chinese border and our journey would take around 3 hours.
As we moved out of Hanoi we passed over 2 working rivers, some of the barges/boats were so laden down it looked as if the sides were just breaking the surface. The land was flat but luscious. There was quite a lot of building going on both residential and industrial. I hope that they don't do overkill here. Many of the homes were 3 story French colonial style buildings. All painted and quite ornate. We moved through Bac Ninh city and then the buildings began to thin out, more and more land was visible. The minute we passed the sign "Welcome to Lang Son" at the beginning of Lang Son province we started to rise - gorges and mountains appeared. For those of you familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy the landscape made us all think of these. Caverns, caves and millions of years of rock face. It was all still very green but a different green. The vegetation was now trees, very tall trees, up the side of mountains and down in valleys with the occasional red bush for colour. Houses became single story with the date of construction stamped on them and some became wooden shacks.
As we neared Lang Son town our anxiety levels were rising, we counted off the kilometre markers silently.
Finally we arrived at the orphanage, it is almost in the centre of the town. We got out of the buses - even the heat was different here, hot yes, very hot but little humidity.
What happened inside is going to remain private as it it not just our story to tell. Suffice it to say we all fell in love and didn't want to leave.
Our journey home through the water buffalo, some au naturel and some swathed in mud (an amazing site - just like a wild life documentary) was an emotional relief. So much so that, sorry to disappoint the foodies amongst you, but we've just had room service - burger and fries. I'm having a glass of red wine and writing this and Dennis is downloading our pictures.
We will post some once all the legalities are settled, so please bear with us.
The good news is our second visit is tomorrow!
On re-reading yesterday's post I realised there was not much atmosphere so hopefully this gives a better taste.
The streets are alive with hustle and bustle. Everyone is so close on some of them that you can almost read the clothes size label. If the pavement is good than an assortment of scooters, mopeds and motor cycles are parked on them 2 abreast. If the pavement is broken then you have to walk on the road, either way you literally take your life into your own hands each time you venture out.
As we walked, sorry zig-zagged, up the street to the shopping centre we passed many and I do mean many, street vendors crouched on the ground selling their wares: fruit, cold drinks, local delicacies, teas, we even smelt someone barbecuing under a canvas shelter.
As it was lunchtime people, mainly men, were sitting or crouching on the street corners playing backgammon and Chinese chequers. We walked for approximately 1km and in that short distance we encountered typical Hanoi City life.
Today
Today dawned very early for all of us I think, I had to go swimming just to try and keep my mind off today. I'd finished by 7.30 though and the bus wasn't collecting us until 10.30!
Finally 10.30 arrived, our guides and 2 buses arrived. We left bang on time. The buses made their way out of Hanoi city, negotiating this was a feat alone. Many sharp intakes of breath later from the passengers and we turned onto the main road to China. Lang Son is 18km from the Chinese border and our journey would take around 3 hours.
As we moved out of Hanoi we passed over 2 working rivers, some of the barges/boats were so laden down it looked as if the sides were just breaking the surface. The land was flat but luscious. There was quite a lot of building going on both residential and industrial. I hope that they don't do overkill here. Many of the homes were 3 story French colonial style buildings. All painted and quite ornate. We moved through Bac Ninh city and then the buildings began to thin out, more and more land was visible. The minute we passed the sign "Welcome to Lang Son" at the beginning of Lang Son province we started to rise - gorges and mountains appeared. For those of you familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy the landscape made us all think of these. Caverns, caves and millions of years of rock face. It was all still very green but a different green. The vegetation was now trees, very tall trees, up the side of mountains and down in valleys with the occasional red bush for colour. Houses became single story with the date of construction stamped on them and some became wooden shacks.
As we neared Lang Son town our anxiety levels were rising, we counted off the kilometre markers silently.
Finally we arrived at the orphanage, it is almost in the centre of the town. We got out of the buses - even the heat was different here, hot yes, very hot but little humidity.
What happened inside is going to remain private as it it not just our story to tell. Suffice it to say we all fell in love and didn't want to leave.
Our journey home through the water buffalo, some au naturel and some swathed in mud (an amazing site - just like a wild life documentary) was an emotional relief. So much so that, sorry to disappoint the foodies amongst you, but we've just had room service - burger and fries. I'm having a glass of red wine and writing this and Dennis is downloading our pictures.
We will post some once all the legalities are settled, so please bear with us.
The good news is our second visit is tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday 25 August
The morning dawned to a cacophony of tooting horns and motor cycles, they hadn't really stopped all night but you sort of zone out after a while. Mind you 5.30 was certainly early. We looked out of the window and along the street were people of all ages doing their morning exercises. It looks like it might be a form of Tai Chi - we will have to investigate further. It was already 27 degrees. We met up with some other people who are also travelling to Lang Son and with a few that have been already.
We decided that we would take a walk towards Hoan Kiem Lake, it is in the centre of our district. The heat was incredible, we got as far as a very large department store and I'm afraid to say air conditioning beckoned.
We made it to the Lake after lunch. It is incredibly beautiful with a pagoda at the top end. You have to cross a bridge to reach the temple itself. That's for another day though. We walked to Lan Van Cam which is nicknamed 'Buggy Street' where we purchased - well I'll leave that for you to figure! We had to get a taxi back, thank goodness. I even managed to swim today, the hotel has a pool outside on the 4th floor.
Tomorrow is getting ever nearer. I think anxiety describes best what we are currently feeling - not sure how much sleep will be had this evening.
That's all for now, short and sweet - we leave for Lang Son at 10.30 am tomorrow our time.
The morning dawned to a cacophony of tooting horns and motor cycles, they hadn't really stopped all night but you sort of zone out after a while. Mind you 5.30 was certainly early. We looked out of the window and along the street were people of all ages doing their morning exercises. It looks like it might be a form of Tai Chi - we will have to investigate further. It was already 27 degrees. We met up with some other people who are also travelling to Lang Son and with a few that have been already.
We decided that we would take a walk towards Hoan Kiem Lake, it is in the centre of our district. The heat was incredible, we got as far as a very large department store and I'm afraid to say air conditioning beckoned.
We made it to the Lake after lunch. It is incredibly beautiful with a pagoda at the top end. You have to cross a bridge to reach the temple itself. That's for another day though. We walked to Lan Van Cam which is nicknamed 'Buggy Street' where we purchased - well I'll leave that for you to figure! We had to get a taxi back, thank goodness. I even managed to swim today, the hotel has a pool outside on the 4th floor.
Tomorrow is getting ever nearer. I think anxiety describes best what we are currently feeling - not sure how much sleep will be had this evening.
That's all for now, short and sweet - we leave for Lang Son at 10.30 am tomorrow our time.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Well everyone better late than never, it looks like some of you have arrived at our site before we did, sorry to be so tardy! Technical problems in Singapore.
Friday, Sat & Sun 21, 22 & 23 August
Up before the dawn, 4.00am to be precise. Mum and Rick drove us to the airport and we flew to Heathrow. I don't think I've ever seen so much luggage in my life and all belonging to just 2 people! (Still not one airline charged us excess baggage, for which we are eternally grateful)
From Heathrow we flew to Singapore. An amazing experience in itself. We flew on the new A380, they only have 9 in their fleet and they are only on this route. Sean, the guy at Singapore Airlines in Dublin, who booked the flights for us, had arranged seats up stairs and on our own. From start to finish it was like being on a moving hotel. They couldn't do enough for us. We highly recommend them.
We landed on Satruday in Singapore 30 mins early - we almost expected to hear Michael O'Leary's fanfare!
The taxi ride into our hotel was just like the tourist guides. Singapore is truly spectacular. The first thing that hits you, besides the heat, is the colours, everything is so vibrant.
Our driver was a mine of information and made our journey very special. We arrived at the hotel very early, way before check-in. So we left our luggage and booked ourselves on the city tour. Now I have to say we felt as if we were slightly left of centre having very little sleep, changing time zones and climates but there is nothing like hitting the ground running to sharpen the senses.
Singapore is an incredible city, it is so clean, there is no litter at all, you can't even smoke on the streets unless you are next to a street ashtray - as Dennis found out. Everyone is very polite and friendly and they can't do enough for you. They wouldn't dream of breaking the law - not even slightly. The country is run as a large corporation by business men, in order to be president you must have been a CEO of a large company for at least 5 years. There are quite a few countries that could do worse than use them as a role model.
Whilst there we also visited Sentosa Island, an absolute must, went on a river cruise by night, ate incredibly well, very reasonably, did a bit of shopping on Orchard Road and last but by no means least - a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel. (Am in danger of becoming a travel brochure so won't post anymore on the subject but I hope you get a taste of what we felt.).
Monday 24 August
Another crack of dawn start and the beginning of our future.
We flew to Vietnam, gaining an hour so currently it is 6.31 pm. Our first view from the plane was a total shock, it is so green. We hadn't expected that. We're not sure what we did expect but that wasn't it.
The heat is phenominal. As we got off the plane it hits you like a wall. Dense humidity.
The hotel had sent a taxi for us. The journey into Hanoi was a round an hour. Nothing prepares you, no guides, no websites, no-one whose been here before. The land is full of greenery and the fields here are very abundant. All the way in to the city we were surrounded by motor cycles, scooters etc. Everything seems to be carried by this method of transport - the family )literally, goods, livestock etc. You overtake by tooting your horn and just pulling out - no wonder travellers are advised not to drive!
We haven't crossed a road yet but apparently when you do, you just walk and don't stop - they will avoid you, they factor in that you are moving - they only hit you when you stop.
Well folks thats all for now - time for dinner, a glass of wine and a good night's sleep. It may be one of our last for sometime (Yeah).
Friday, Sat & Sun 21, 22 & 23 August
Up before the dawn, 4.00am to be precise. Mum and Rick drove us to the airport and we flew to Heathrow. I don't think I've ever seen so much luggage in my life and all belonging to just 2 people! (Still not one airline charged us excess baggage, for which we are eternally grateful)
From Heathrow we flew to Singapore. An amazing experience in itself. We flew on the new A380, they only have 9 in their fleet and they are only on this route. Sean, the guy at Singapore Airlines in Dublin, who booked the flights for us, had arranged seats up stairs and on our own. From start to finish it was like being on a moving hotel. They couldn't do enough for us. We highly recommend them.
We landed on Satruday in Singapore 30 mins early - we almost expected to hear Michael O'Leary's fanfare!
The taxi ride into our hotel was just like the tourist guides. Singapore is truly spectacular. The first thing that hits you, besides the heat, is the colours, everything is so vibrant.
Our driver was a mine of information and made our journey very special. We arrived at the hotel very early, way before check-in. So we left our luggage and booked ourselves on the city tour. Now I have to say we felt as if we were slightly left of centre having very little sleep, changing time zones and climates but there is nothing like hitting the ground running to sharpen the senses.
Singapore is an incredible city, it is so clean, there is no litter at all, you can't even smoke on the streets unless you are next to a street ashtray - as Dennis found out. Everyone is very polite and friendly and they can't do enough for you. They wouldn't dream of breaking the law - not even slightly. The country is run as a large corporation by business men, in order to be president you must have been a CEO of a large company for at least 5 years. There are quite a few countries that could do worse than use them as a role model.
Whilst there we also visited Sentosa Island, an absolute must, went on a river cruise by night, ate incredibly well, very reasonably, did a bit of shopping on Orchard Road and last but by no means least - a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel. (Am in danger of becoming a travel brochure so won't post anymore on the subject but I hope you get a taste of what we felt.).
Monday 24 August
Another crack of dawn start and the beginning of our future.
We flew to Vietnam, gaining an hour so currently it is 6.31 pm. Our first view from the plane was a total shock, it is so green. We hadn't expected that. We're not sure what we did expect but that wasn't it.
The heat is phenominal. As we got off the plane it hits you like a wall. Dense humidity.
The hotel had sent a taxi for us. The journey into Hanoi was a round an hour. Nothing prepares you, no guides, no websites, no-one whose been here before. The land is full of greenery and the fields here are very abundant. All the way in to the city we were surrounded by motor cycles, scooters etc. Everything seems to be carried by this method of transport - the family )literally, goods, livestock etc. You overtake by tooting your horn and just pulling out - no wonder travellers are advised not to drive!
We haven't crossed a road yet but apparently when you do, you just walk and don't stop - they will avoid you, they factor in that you are moving - they only hit you when you stop.
Well folks thats all for now - time for dinner, a glass of wine and a good night's sleep. It may be one of our last for sometime (Yeah).
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