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From the caves in Phong Nha to Hanoi to Halong Bay

Pubblicato: 14.05.2019

Now there are already three destinations in one blog, but so much is happening at the moment! Also, we traveled a bit faster because our monthly visa for Vietnam only goes until May 17th. 

But back to what has happened so far...

As you may know from the airport, we were greeted by the family father at the bus station in the center of town, holding a sign that said 'Thea Lierow.' Since the two of us and the four backpacks didn't fit on his scooter, he immediately called his son and we rode to the homestay on 2 scooters... I should mention that it was free in a 10 euro accommodation... When we arrived, the son of the family successfully sold us a tour for the next day (which we had already looked up) and was very proud.

And before we knew it, we were sitting on the floor with the family at dinner... We managed to decline the half-hatched eggs, but we couldn't refuse the rice wine... We finally got to go to sleep after the 6th or 7th glass ;-) 

Really great family and delicious food - despite the little English, we got along really well!

Homestay family at dinner
Homestay family at dinner


The next day, after breakfast by the river, we went on a tour to two of the most famous caves in the region: Paradise Cave and Dark Cave. 

Breakfast with a view of the water
Breakfast with a view of the water


After the strenuous and sweaty hike up to the cave, we quickly realized why it's called paradise here. Inside the cave, it was only 22°, like a big air conditioner ...  

Entrance to Paradise Cave
Entrance to Paradise Cave

Since we're not yet GoPro camera professionals, we forgot to switch on night mode in the caves that day... But we still want to show you some impressions, so please forgive us for the quality... These are unfortunately the best pictures - but this way you can imagine how we felt when we realized... :-(  
We went down into the cave via stairs
We went down into the cave via stairs
The wooden walkway led 1km into the cave
The wooden walkway led 1km into the cave (which is much longer)
Huge!
Simply huge! Over 60 meters high and 80 meters wide in some places....
Lunch
Lunch, vegetables for the women...

and meat for the men... :-)

Afterwards, at least for Thea, because after a good breakfast and lunch, Clemens slightly exceeded the 90 kg mark and had to use the canoe and zip-line across the water to the Dark Cave. It's a completely unlit cave where you walk with headlamps and take an extensive mud bath inside. 

But see for yourself...

After lunch, Thea crossed a 200m long zip-line to the other side of the river to reach the entrance of the Dark Cave
After lunch, Thea crossed a 200m long zip-line to the other side of the river to reach the entrance of the Dark Cave
Into the darkness
Into the darkness
Everyone took a mud bath inside!
Everyone took a mud bath inside! Clem enjoyed it =)
A beautiful day comes to an end
A beautiful day comes to an end =)


The next day our bus to Dong Hoi for the night train didn't leave until the evening, so we took the opportunity to WALK to the boat dock 1.8 km away... 

Once we found a group (you pay for a boat, not per person), we went to Phong Nha Cave, the most famous cave that can only be explored by boat... 

We walked along the river to Phong Nha Cave
We went to Phong Nha Cave along the river
Entrance to the cave
Entrance to the cave, here the engines were turned off and we continued by rowing 
We took a boat into the cave for a few hundred meters
We took a boat into the cave for a few hundred meters
Everything was beautifully illuminated...
Everything was beautifully illuminated...
There was also plenty to explore on foot!
There was also plenty to explore on foot!


All in all, a truly impressive landscape and beautiful cave systems!!! Definitely worth a visit! If you have more time and desire, you can even take a 4-day expedition to one of the largest caves in the world, located deep in the jungle.

Cheers to a great trip!
Cheers to a great trip!


In the evening, we continued with the overnight train from Dong Hoi to Hanoi, the capital of the country and the starting point for the Halong Bay tour. 

Clemens
Clemens' joy knew no bounds when he realized that he fits perfectly in the bed on the night train! And that in Asia =)


We didn't have high expectations for the city, so our expectations were exceeded! Really nice city with small alleys and a lot of traffic... We explored the city for a day and visited some nice spots... 

Mopeds everywhere in the narrow streets
Mopeds everywhere in the narrow streets
Tower in the military museum
Tower in the military museum - Vietnamese flags everywhere!!!

Parliament building, where Trump and a little man from North Korea also visited a few weeks ago
Parliament building, where Trump and a little man from North Korea also visited a few weeks ago
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum with a huge square... He was lying there as if he were about to open his eyes again...
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum with a huge square... He was lying there as if he were about to open his eyes again...
St. Joseph
St. Joseph's Cathedral
There are also cafes directly on the tracks in Hanoi...
There are also cafes directly on the tracks in Hanoi...

In the evening, we booked a cooking class... 

Before the cooking class, we went shopping together
Before the cooking class, we went shopping together
... Who can spot the tongues ;-)
...Who can spot the tongues ;-)
Thea flipping spring rolls
Thea flipping spring rolls
Preparing egg coffee and pho
Preparing egg coffee and pho bo
Eating with all the chefs!!
Eating with all the chefs!!


It was really interesting, fun, and delicious... but we can't recommend it for our kitchen because in the evening... well, at least the toilet in the hotel was good.


The next morning, we set off for the long-awaited tour to one of the 7 natural wonders of the world: Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay (right next door, less crowded, but just as beautiful). Two days and one night cruising on a ship among the karst islands... 

We were even lucky enough to get an upgrade to the half-empty luxury ship in the fleet, but see for yourself! Delicious food, great staff, a dreamy ship, and of course a dreamy backdrop... 

View from the bow!
View from the bow!
We were well taken care of: lunch with 5 courses!
We were well taken care of: lunch with 5 courses!
Following activity: kayaking!
Following activity: kayaking!
Trying to take a selfie with the boat...
Trying to take a selfie with the boat...
The beautiful bay
The beautiful bay
... writing cards ;-)
...writing cards ;-)
After relaxation, on to dinner ;-)
After relaxation, on to dinner ;-)
... after dinner, you should rest or go squid fishing...
...and after dinner, you should rest or go squid fishing...
... one Indian even caught one! Unfortunately, we didn
...one Indian even caught one! Unfortunately, we didn't despite 2 hours of trying... They were pretty mad though...
The next morning, we went to a viewpoint and a beautiful beach
The next morning, we went to a viewpoint and a beautiful beach
Last view of our amazing ship!
Last view of our amazing 5* ship!

After the tour, we went back to Hanoi with a stop at a water puppet show. 
Water puppet show - it was nice when it was over ;-)
Water puppet show - it was nice when it was over ;-)
On the way back, some things were transported on the streets...
On the way back, some things were transported on the streets... A Vietnamese guy and two foreigners ;-)


From Hanoi, we took a night bus to the northernmost province of Vietnam, Ha Giang!    

The 100000000 pictures from there still need to be sorted, but you can look forward to something!!! 

Just this much: Halong Bay was mega cool, but Ha Giang is the highlight of our trip so far! ;-) 

Until then, warm regards to everyone and have a great week! Thea & Clem <3

Risposta (3)

Jess
Das letzte Bild sieht einfach nur verrückt aus - wie kann man das so transportieren?! XD Ojee!!! Aber klasse Schlammbad und überhaupt! Das essen!!! Yummi!! Die Höhlen sehen so beeindruckend aus!

Thea
Die haben hier auch lebende kühe aufm moped transportiert.. nichts ist unmöglich :-D und nicht zu vergessen- die stecken hier auch 12 enten in einen sack mit 12 löchern für die köpfe und dann binden sie den sack auf das dach vom bus.. ;-) bilder folgen..

Jess
Das ist teils echt eine ganze andere Welt 😅 schon ein bisschen krass 🤣

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