Do you know the way to Hue? Or Halong Bay?
Enjoying Tet fireworks:
The commute back to the hotel post-fireworks:
It was an unbelievable experience to bike through the chaos. Derek loved it. He thinks he is a BMX all-star. You should have seen the way he took the 4 inch curbs.
The beach:
Unfortunately for Gator, it wasn't Miami.
And then somebody lost their bike key in the water. I'm just happy Justin didn't toss our fancy camera into the water as well.
On the way to Hue:
Hue suffered through difficult times during the Vietnam War, when it was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days (during which the VC slaughtered around 1,000 people suspected of sympathizing with the South) and then was subjected to an American bombing campaign to retake the city.
The Imperial Citadel: The former imperial seat of government and Hue's prime attraction, this is a great sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history.
The citadel was badly shattered during fighting between the French and the Viet Minh in 1947, and again in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, when it was shelled by the Viet Cong and then bombed by the Americans. As a result, some areas are now only empty fields, bits of walls, or an explanatory plaque. Other buildings are intact, though, and a few are in sparkling condition. For the rest, while restoration has been going on for 20 years, there is still quite a long way to go.
A pint-sized kung fu master:
At this juncture Beijing Best Friends Forever went their separate ways for 48 hours. No hard feelings. Justin and April opted to stay another day to check out the DMZed. Derek planned a surprise romantic overnight stay on the most EXPENSIVE yacht in Halong Bay. Okay, it wasn't a surprise, nor was it a yacht--much less the most expensive junk boat. But perhaps there would still be a lovikins treasure hunt at the end of the trip?
Stacey & Derek are back in Hanoi:
Thanks to the recommendation of Dean Koutroupas, we hit a water puppet show. It was almost as good as our Phuket Phantasea experience. Almost.
Ha Long Bay, 170 km east of Hanoi, is a beautiful area with 1,969 limestone islands jutting imposingly upon the skyline.
Derek and I had a relaxing time but I did come across the following excerpt which definitely holds some truth to it:
"Unfortunately the place is a tourist trap and the unique panorama is spoilt by a tremendous amount of 'junks' which are in fact slimly disguised tourist boats that bear no resemblance to the authentic Chinese sailing vessels of the same name. These diesel-powered floating money-makers careen about the bay with casual indifference to safety as they bump and crunch against each other in a frenzy to drop their fares onto the obligatory island or floating shop before depositing the harried passengers back at Halong Bay dock feeling like they've been cheated out of their Dong, even if that isn't particularly true. The romantic setting is forever spoilt by the cattle-market mentality."
Cave exploration along the bay:
More pictures of Halong Bay:
Reunited and it feels so good.
On our last night in Hanoi we reunited with Justin and April. They missed us so much that they organized a treasure hunt for our pleasure. The rhyming rendezvous took us to all the sites we had visited in Hanoi. Most importantly, the hunt entailed the infamous yet disappointing Handspan chocolate torte and drinks at the fabulous Hotel Sofitel.
Here is a taste of how clever Justin and Babies are:
"We joked about a Treasure Hunt since before we left Beijing,
But decided what would be more fun than to make it a real thing?
So put on your thinking caps as you ponder every hint.
And recall the memories in Vietnam--what an amazing stint!
Let's get this adventure started at a place we've spent some time.
Go inside Tamarind Cafe to find the next clever rhyme.
Look around and ask of every friendly face you see.
One of them holds in their hand our Treasure Hunt's next key."
Post Treasure Hunt Beers:
PS--I just want you guys to know that Derek is upset you stole his TH thunder.
Justin, Walter (another Beijing friend who happened to be in Hanoi), Derek:
After an amazing and adventurous 10 days, it was time to go home. Even with his green sticker, Justin almost didn't make it.
Cheers to a fabulous trip guys!
The commute back to the hotel post-fireworks:
It was an unbelievable experience to bike through the chaos. Derek loved it. He thinks he is a BMX all-star. You should have seen the way he took the 4 inch curbs.
The beach:
Unfortunately for Gator, it wasn't Miami.
And then somebody lost their bike key in the water. I'm just happy Justin didn't toss our fancy camera into the water as well.
On the way to Hue:
Hue suffered through difficult times during the Vietnam War, when it was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days (during which the VC slaughtered around 1,000 people suspected of sympathizing with the South) and then was subjected to an American bombing campaign to retake the city.
The Imperial Citadel: The former imperial seat of government and Hue's prime attraction, this is a great sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history.
The citadel was badly shattered during fighting between the French and the Viet Minh in 1947, and again in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, when it was shelled by the Viet Cong and then bombed by the Americans. As a result, some areas are now only empty fields, bits of walls, or an explanatory plaque. Other buildings are intact, though, and a few are in sparkling condition. For the rest, while restoration has been going on for 20 years, there is still quite a long way to go.
A pint-sized kung fu master:
At this juncture Beijing Best Friends Forever went their separate ways for 48 hours. No hard feelings. Justin and April opted to stay another day to check out the DMZed. Derek planned a surprise romantic overnight stay on the most EXPENSIVE yacht in Halong Bay. Okay, it wasn't a surprise, nor was it a yacht--much less the most expensive junk boat. But perhaps there would still be a lovikins treasure hunt at the end of the trip?
Stacey & Derek are back in Hanoi:
Thanks to the recommendation of Dean Koutroupas, we hit a water puppet show. It was almost as good as our Phuket Phantasea experience. Almost.
Ha Long Bay, 170 km east of Hanoi, is a beautiful area with 1,969 limestone islands jutting imposingly upon the skyline.
Derek and I had a relaxing time but I did come across the following excerpt which definitely holds some truth to it:
"Unfortunately the place is a tourist trap and the unique panorama is spoilt by a tremendous amount of 'junks' which are in fact slimly disguised tourist boats that bear no resemblance to the authentic Chinese sailing vessels of the same name. These diesel-powered floating money-makers careen about the bay with casual indifference to safety as they bump and crunch against each other in a frenzy to drop their fares onto the obligatory island or floating shop before depositing the harried passengers back at Halong Bay dock feeling like they've been cheated out of their Dong, even if that isn't particularly true. The romantic setting is forever spoilt by the cattle-market mentality."
Cave exploration along the bay:
More pictures of Halong Bay:
Reunited and it feels so good.
On our last night in Hanoi we reunited with Justin and April. They missed us so much that they organized a treasure hunt for our pleasure. The rhyming rendezvous took us to all the sites we had visited in Hanoi. Most importantly, the hunt entailed the infamous yet disappointing Handspan chocolate torte and drinks at the fabulous Hotel Sofitel.
Here is a taste of how clever Justin and Babies are:
"We joked about a Treasure Hunt since before we left Beijing,
But decided what would be more fun than to make it a real thing?
So put on your thinking caps as you ponder every hint.
And recall the memories in Vietnam--what an amazing stint!
Let's get this adventure started at a place we've spent some time.
Go inside Tamarind Cafe to find the next clever rhyme.
Look around and ask of every friendly face you see.
One of them holds in their hand our Treasure Hunt's next key."
Post Treasure Hunt Beers:
PS--I just want you guys to know that Derek is upset you stole his TH thunder.
Justin, Walter (another Beijing friend who happened to be in Hanoi), Derek:
After an amazing and adventurous 10 days, it was time to go home. Even with his green sticker, Justin almost didn't make it.
Cheers to a fabulous trip guys!
posted by Derek and Stacey at
4:50 PM
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