Day 2 - Hoa Lu, Hang Mua, and Tam Coc

Due to the New Year festival, some attractions and museums in Hanoi are closed. Therefore, I booked a day trip to Ninh Binh province for today.

The minibus picks me up at my accommodation and after the bus is filled with other hotel guests, we drive out of the city towards the south. The seats on the bus are a bit tight and throughout the entire journey, my knees bump against the seat in front of me. I can't even imagine how this journey feels for taller people.

However, the bus ride and the subsequent excursion were made enjoyable by three Indian women who welcomed me in their midst and with whom I had excellent conversations. The three of them told me about their experiences in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and the Mekong Delta, and gave me tips during the bus ride and lunch.

The first stop of the excursion was Hoa Lu. The village was the capital of Vietnam in the late 10th century under the Tinh and Le Dynasties. Today, a few buildings, including two temples, are still preserved.

After a rather disappointing lunch, which, however, served its purpose of giving us strength, we continued to Hang Mua, the Dancing Cave. The entire garden area around the cave was beautifully designed and offered various photo opportunities. However, the HIGHLIGHT were the over 500 steps that led to a temple and a viewpoint, from which you had an excellent view of the surrounding landscape. In addition, we could also admire the various costumes of the country, as many young women had dressed up in such costumes and posed for the perfect Instagram photo in front of the impressive landscape.

After our efforts, we were able to relax during a boat trip in Tam Coc. Two to three people were rowed along the XY river in small tin boats by locals. There was a beautiful landscape to see, as well as rice fields and various bird species. The river also took us through three caves, which is why the area is called Tam Coc, meaning Three Caves.

Now we are already on our way back to Hanoi. The road is bumpy and I miss the opportunity to stretch my legs. Tomorrow, I won't know if my sore muscles are due to the climb in Hang Mua or the cramped bus ride.