The Heart of Hanoi

The train in Hue was late and we had to spend a few sweaty and uncomfortable hours at the train station with the temperature over +40 degrees and nowhere to escape the heat. After yet another vodka night on the train we arrived in Hanoi early in the morning. 

Since we weren't able to check into the hotel yet, we did a walking tour in the city's Old Quarter. It was early morning so the streets were less mad and the air fresher. We arrived at a lake, where people had gathered to do their morning stretching, workout, or to just relax and socialize. It was a tranquil and beautiful place right in the city centre.

 The bridge of the rising sun

We had a long sleep at the hotel and woke up for dinner. After dinner we had a look around the local market, which was full of exotic treats from turtles to eels and frogs. Then we headed back to the lake. The lake seems to be the centre of the social life of the people in Hanoi. Lots of people had gathered by the water to enjoy each other's company and the city lights reflected in the water.

The next day we left for Halong Bay, definitely one of the highlights of the trip!

Perfume River

In Hue we also did a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume river. On the way there we stopped to see some more of the local handicrafts. 

The boat trip was nice and relaxing with beautiful views. We stopped to have a look at a pagoda that was the tallest in Vietnam. It is one of the oldest and most famous religious buildings of the country.

We took yet another overnight train to Hanoi, where we would arrive early in the morning. 

Motorbike Ride in Hue

The motorbike tour in Hue was one of the best trips we did in Vietnam. Naturally, we didn't ride the bikes ourselves, since that would have been a suicide. We jumped on the backs of the motorbikes of experienced local riders and were taken to the countryside. 

It was one of the motorbike rider's son's wedding that day. Still, he had to be there riding tourists around.

It was a hot day with temperatures over 40 degrees. We visited the old kings' tombs.

We also visited a local Buddhist monastery that is also an orphanage. The little girls in the monastery come from different sad backgrounds such as poverty. 

It is an interesting place to visit and the food is fantastic. At the same time you make a small contribution to the children's future by supporting the monastery.

Royal dinner in Hue

From Hoi An we took a scenic bus ride to the old capital of Vietnam, Hue. The bus ride took about 3,5 hours  with some stops on the way.

Rubbing the belly of a laughing buddha brings you wealth.

The city of Hue is located in the centre of Vietnam. The weather was boiling hot when we arrived. In the hotel lobby I had a very pleasant surprise waiting for me. My backpack had FINALLY made its way back to me. 

Hue is known as the most royal city in Vietnam, so our travel guide had arranged us a royal dinner.

King and queen.

The dishes were as good as they looked! And we had some entertainment as well.

Afterwards we went for some drinks to a local bar. Unfortunately we had to leave the costumes!

Relaxing in Hoi An part II

Chilaxing on a gorgeous long beach with a pina colada... Tough life!

We did a cooking class at a small local restaurant. I LOOOOVE Vietnamese food, if I didn't make it clear yet.

We cooked spring rolls, grilled fish in a banana leaf, sweet and sour wontons, fried squid and a papaya salad. Omnomnom....

Boat trip in Nha Trang

After another day in Ho Chi Minh City we took an overnight train to the beach town of Nha Trang. Overnight train in Vietnam was a fun experience. We had prepared ourselves for it with a huge bottle of cheap vodka.

The vodka did its job, and it remains a mystery where or who from I got this train conductor uniform... Apparently I had stolen some poor guy's clothes. But looks like we had fun!

We arrived in Nha Trang early morning. We couldn't check in at the hotel yet, so we decided to go and cure our hangovers with some local pho for breakfast. Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup, often served with beef or chicken, herbs and lime, and traditionally had for breakfast. I absolutely loved it, and had it most mornings.

After breakfast we went to see the beach, which looked stunning in the morning sun. The same day we went for a boat trip to the nearby islands. We soaked up the sun and visited an aquarium, where we saw some pretty ugly fish!

On the boat we had entertainment, the local Backstreet Boys were performing. Or that's what they said.

The highlight of my boat trip was definitely when everybody jumped off the boat with blow-up rings and they had a floating bar. With FREE drinks! I could hardly believe it since more often than not, the Vietnamese like ripping off tourists. But this time there was no catch, the sun was shining, music was playing and drinks were flowing... Good times!

Xin Chao!

I found myself in a terrible rush arranging things and packing my belongings back in Melbourne, and ended up almost missing my flight. So typical of me... I got to the airport, and the lady at the check-in told me I have missed my flight. I had tears in my eyes. LUCKY, this other staff member showed more compassion towards me and made a couple of phone calls to find out if I still had a chance to make it to the flight. Turns out, the plane was late and they let me in. Very lucky. As usual, before getting in the plane I had to go through some extra security checks. Apparently I look very suspicious. 

I flew with AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur and from there to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Long, uncomfortable night flight with no sleep, just to find out in KL that my backpack didn't make it to the same plane as me. I blame the evil check-in lady back in Melbourne, she probably did it on purpose.... When I finally got to the hot and humid capital of Vietnam, I was exhausted and upset, but very happy to see Rohan, who was there to pick me up.

The taxi threaded its way through the CHAOTIC, Vietnamese traffic jungle to our hotel. The Vietnamese can fit anything on the back of a small moped; cows, pigs, entire families, double beds, you name it! And just the amount of cars and motorbikes plying the busy streets is MAD. During the 15 days I spent in Vietnam I never mastered the art of crossing the road by myself. Every time I used Rohan or somebody else as a human shield. The only time I had to cross the road by myself, I nearly died. You see, in Vietnam, the usual Western tips of crossing a street do not apply. In fact, it is best if you do not look both ways, and instead ignore all the motorbikes and cars zooming at you at full speed from all directions. I suppose it makes sense not to look the oncoming death in the eyes. If you want to cross the road in Vietnam, first make peace with God, then close your eyes and take the plunge. It is like an adrenaline sport, a near death ritual many times a day. I don't have a photo of the crazy traffic, as I didn't feel comfortable with stopping in the middle of a road to take one.

We spent one night in HCMC. We didn't have much time to explore the city as I had to do some shopping, since I only had my handbag with me. The next day we headed down to the Mekong Delta.

Last Weeks in Melbourne

I had one month in Melbourne before going home. I had a nasty surprise waiting for me when I got home, as the chick I rented my apartment to while I was gone had trashed it, stolen a lot of my stuff and taken off. Winter was on it's way and the weather was getting chilly. Rohan spent a couple of weeks with me before going on his big trip. We did a lot of touristy things that I still hadn't got around to doing during my time in Melbourne. We visited the Old Melbourne Gaol. 

We also got a little taste of what it is like to be arrested and locked up in the City Watch House. I was a happy prisoner! 

I got a little taste of where I belong...

The infamous bushranger Ned Kelly among dozens of others were hanged here. The gaol was very intriguing and also a little bit creepy when you think of all the lunatics and killers who have stayed there. Definitely a must-see in Melbourne!

We also went to an Aussie Rules footy match at Etihad Stadium. Melbourne is all about the footy at this time of year, so you have to go and experience it. The atmosphere was fun and of course I had the hat and the scarf. No idea who was playing, but I think we won!

There is a place where you can go ice-skating in Melbourne so of course I had to take Rohan, who had never been on skates before.

We visited the Melbourne Museum as well, and wandered around discovering the street art in the maze of the Melbourne laneways. 

After a couple of weeks Rohan left on his big trip and I stayed in Melbourne. The last two weeks I felt stressed, sad and wistful. I knew it wouldn't take long before I would be missing Melbourne again, but at the moment I felt like it was time to go home. At least for a visit. 

Before going home, however, I somehow found myself in the middle of the hectic but beautiful VIETNAM!? Stay tuned!