From the caves in Phong Nha to Hanoi to Halong Bay

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!

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. 

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 ...  

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...

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... 

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.

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. 

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... 

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

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... 

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