Once we had our Vietnam visas (and since our one- month Chinese visas were about to expire), we caught the Hanoi-bound bus. The Chinese-Vietnam border crossing is a place called "Friendship Pass." Sounds quite lovely. But we were mostly just shuttled around in mini buses to different checkpoints, multiple passport checks, and then put onto a Vietnamese bus.
Despite stern warnings from our guidebook of the savagery and dangers of vietnam (you'll be robbed! People honk incessantly all night! You'll be blown up by a landmine!). Vietnam has so far been a great deal easier than China, English is widely spoken (and Kat's french fills in the gaps where it isn't) and the backpacker trail is well worn, if a little touristy.
Hanoi is so far our favorite large city. The Old Quarter is an interesting mix of Asian and Parisian architecture. The baguettes sold on every street corner are divine. (Vietnamese food trumps Chinese by a wide margin, for anyone keeping track) and the sights are numerous and interesting. The best of the city is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which takes visitors on the personal events and broader historical context of the life of Ho Chi Minh. This is done through old newspaper clippings and, interestingly, interperative sculpture and film pieces meant to summarize the different historical eras spanned by the narritive. Best museum we've seen yet by far. (Dear Sanghai museum: you were a disapointment.)
After Hanoi it was on to Cat Ba Islands, where we spent Christmas eve at a hilariously tacky Vietnamese Christmas party, complete with christmas song/karaoke classic medleys and a vaguely hawaiian looking santa clause. Cat Ba's national park proved a bit more stimulating, as we hiked through the jungle on a six hour tour, wild monkeys and giant spiders abound(s)ed.
After Catba we transited back through Hanoi en route to Hue, a town just below the old North/South border. We had grand plans for Hue, including a visit to the primate rescue center, but it rained Noah-and-the-flood style for our entire stay, so we spent most of the time in our room watching the discovery channel and animal planet.
We got out of Hue as soon as we could. Our next stop was the charming small town of Hoi An, which I believe has more tailors per capita than any other city in the world. Kat got several dresses made, while Tom contented himself with a rather snappy looking suit (dark grey with pinstripes, its real classy). We also took a cooking course while we were there, so you all are going to be assaulted with our renditions of vegetable spring rolls and grilled lemon fish in banana leaf (we'll spare you the squid salad).
Hoi An eventually gave way to Nha Trang, a town far to the south with tropical weather and 6km of beaches. So its not hard to imagine what we did with our time. Highlights included snorkeling through a coral reef, and mineral mud baths at a hot springs.
Dalat, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, is our current port of call. Natural splendor is the sight to see around here, so we've been biking around for the past two days trying to take it all in. The day after tomorrow we leave for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), which we're both pretty excited for, Saigon has a hell of a reputation among travelers.
We'll try to keep the next few updates a little more frequent, if we wait this long again we'll likely be home before the next post.
Cheers,
Kat and Tom.
And now for something a little different: (pictures!)
The amazing karst hills in Yangshuo
Tom illuminated.
Tom having a rest in a tree. Notice the new short hair!
Obligatory sunset shot
A meandering path outside the village of Small Likeng, leads past farmer's plts and into the hills. Amazingly idyllic place.
The light show on the lake in Yangshuo. It was really incredible in person.
Kittens on Tom's McGill bag. Altogether too cute. We wanted to keep them.
Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum in Hanoi. It's quite imposing.
Hiking through Cat Ba National Park. Jungle!
Kat + horse chillaxing.
Our guide pumping some water for Tom in a tiny farming village. He seems delighted to be helping Tom clean up.
On a boat in Halong Bay just off Cat Ba island.
Fishy! In an aquarium shaped like a pirate ship on an island near Nha Trang.
Tom on a beach around Nha Trang, having a good time.
Oh man, these guys are soo cool.
Biking in villages around Dalat.
Bia=beer, in Vietnamese. The one Vietnamese word wẻ know! Mmmm..
Water Buffalo, momma and baby. We find these bovines just delightful.
Unicorn! (This is for you, David!)
