Guest Post: Dave's long awaited and greatly anticipated blogging debut!
Chua Huong, Vietnam – Day 17 (3/1/12)
We set out this morning with the rising sun for the beautiful Perfume Pagodas located about two hours south of Hanoi. We were picked up at our hostel by Huong, our very friendly and knowledgeable personal guide for the day. As the driver wove his way through the streets of Hanoi, Huong told us about his life. His older sister was born during the Vietnam war in between their father’s first and second tours of duty and he is now raising his own family, two daughters, with his wife in the same village that goes back many many generations.
We arrived at a small village on the river and quickly boarded a small fishing boat, solely rowed by a young Vietnamese woman who powered through the one hour journey upstream to a sacred group of temples collectively known as the perfume pagodas.
Huong is a devote follower and was able to provide us an insightful look into Buddhism. We have been to numerous pagodas and temples throughout our trip in Asia without really knowing how and what the people worshipped or what the buildings represented so it was enlightening to learn the history and meanings behind Buddhist culture. It is definitely a lot more than just gorgeous buildings and a jolly old fat bald man!
After visiting the main pagoda and temple where monks come to study, we made the 1.5 km hike up an ancient staircase carved into the mountain to the fairy caves. The original building at the top lost its roof from an American bomb, but the rest of the structure was still standing. He told us of the intricate tunnel systems that the Vietnamese soldiers dug during war times and of the levels of underground structures that were built for entire communities to escape the war. The tunnels were built so tiny that it was physically impossible for a man of ` American stature` to get through them. We entered into a spacious cave which had once served as a hospital during the war and is now a sacred place of worship. Only once a year a monks servant comes to clean the many statues of Buddha, and we happened to be the only other people there at the time. The villagers believe that the Buddha’s heart is in this cave and rub a large smooth quartz rock in the side wall of the cave to touch his heart.
On the journey back to the first village we were invited to hitch a ride on a motorized longboat with some elderly Vietnamese men. This had Huong smiling from ear to ear and giddy as a school girl because he had told us earlier on the paddle out that only monks and important people take the motor boats ... so I guess a couple of Canadian kids made the short list as well! He has been coming here his whole life and has only ever rowed in and out. I think Buddha was smiling on us.
Peace,
Dave
Halong Bay, Vietnam – Day 14 (31/12/11)
Today is New Year’s Eve so to kick off the festivities we booked a 3 day cruise around Halong Bay, which was recently voted one of the worlds ‘seven new wonders of nature’ and it’s obvious why. The bay is set in tranquil turquoise waters with almost 2000 islands dotting the landscape.
It has been a wee bit chilly in Vietnam, I guess it is winter after all, so we curled up in the traditional Vietnamese Junk and enjoyed a soiree of traditional dishes that seemed to be never ending. Then we had the chance to work some of that goodness off on a kayak through the caves. We lucked out big time when an entire family of monkeys put on a spectacular show for us, swinging through the trees on island cliffs right in front of us!
We rang in the new year with a party on the boat. It was a lot quieter celebrations than we might have had in the past, and although it was rather tame, everything seemed to be right.
We fell asleep on the last evening of 2011, rocking with the waves in a quaint little chalet on the boat. 2011 was most definitely a year to be treasured. Every year i look back in amazement at all that we are blessed with. We are living out our dreams everyday in the land of Oz, travelling the globe and are surrounded by the most wonderful family & friends we could ever ask for. Life is fabulous!
Halong Bay, Vietnam – Day 15 (1/1/12)
Today has to have been the earliest I have woken up on new years day ever! We rose with the sun, bright and early to start 2012 off right. After a scrumptious breakfast (of what other than noodles!!) on the boat, we hopped off at ‘Amazing Caves’ to explore the largest cave in Halong Bay with our new friend Tun. Bet you can guess what we thought of them?! Amazing!
Then we floated to another island where we took a rad bicycle tour around the country side. It was seriously some of the most fun we’ve had on this whole trip. After a leisurely half hour pedal, we reached a tiny village and mingled with the locals and their many many puppies.
Then we floated out to sea for another kayak session around a floating fishing village. The locals are so friendly, everyone has a huge smile and a wave for us as we drift past their humble little dwellings.
We spent the last evening on Catba Island, in a ritzy hotel aptly named Hung Long, classic! Sabi and I indulged in a blissful 90 min spa session. They say that the way your start your new year is an indication of the year to come. I really hope that’s true because today has been such a fun and peaceful time exploring new adventures with my besties.
Xo Tegs
 |
| Dave's worst nightmare! |
Hanoi, Vietnam – Day 13 (30/12/11)
We had another interesting and exiting day in Hanoi as we roamed the buzzing streets, swerving through a flurry of traffic, to shop for fresh fruit and colorful clothing. The traffic here is like jumping head first into a Grand Theft Auto video game, scooters are coming at you on the side walk and there are no pedestrian crossings. In order to get across the street you must slowly step out into the constant stream of motorists at a consistent pace and trust that they will swerve to miss you...and they will. It’s all about the trust, just close your eyes and go, do not stop do not collect $200.00. Under no circumstances should you step backwards and you will make it to the other side of the road.
Whoever said that a scooter has limited carrying capacity compared to a truck obviously has never been to Vietnam. We've seen everything from a mattress to a gaggle of geese being carted home on the back of a bike. But my favorite so far has to be the fashonistas in their fur coats, LV handbags and stiletto heels rock up to their top events on scooter-mobiles, sometimes texting their bff's enroute! Its a way of life and the people dig it!
Hanoi has been our most authentic taste of Asia, and it has been truly amazing to really immerse ourselves in this raw culture. The air is chilly and with no heating but the comfort of another layer of clothing I realize how much I take something as simple as heating and air conditioning for granted. Even though we cannot speak a word of Vietnamese and most of the people here do not know English, we have a new admiration for the steadfast work ethic and hospitality that this city has shown to us. Each day we marvel at the way the people here come together. They depend on one another for work, to eat and even to get out of a traffic jam. I cant imagine what would happen in Canada if we abolished the road rules and everyone was free to roam the roads as they pleased, but i do know there would be a heck of a lot more dings and collisions and that says something for the Vietnamese people.
Xo Tegs
Hanoi, Vietnam – Day 11 (28/12/11)
We arrived to Vietnam bright and early this morning and were so very lucky to have such a kind and wonderful guide waiting for us at the gates in Hanoi. Quan is a colleague of mine from the KCB office in Brisbane. He is a former resident of Hanoi and came back recently with his wife and daughters to celebrate the holidays with the rest of his family who are still living here. Lucky for us, because he has pulled out all the stops to make our first day in Vietnam a fantastic one!
Hanoi is a city full of quirkiness...just when we think we’ve see it all in Thailand, we are left shoveling our jaws off the ground here in the ‘city of peace’...maybe this is a mantra for the direction they are aiming to get to one day but for now it is pretty much pure chaos. Take the traffic in Thailand and throw in some senior citizens on pedal bikes out for a casual smoke on the highway and a couple of motorbikes heading the wrong way down the street and welcome to Hanoi! Quan doesn’t bother to drive here anymore as he has become accustomed to the Aussie roads and doesn’t want to destroy a rental car. I completely agree. So we toured by taxi around Old Quarter where our hostel is and walked until we came to a little underground restaurant for lunch, literally... a cement hole in the ground with a few tables and one item on the menu. But dang! You only need one item when it is that yum! Then we headed for a coffee at a local cafe. After a mid day cat nap we met up once more with our friend and his buds from his elementary school days and set out for dins.
Little did we know that they had a two hour degustation planned at another eatery a few blocks away. These guys know how to show some tourists a good time. They ordered for everyone and we couldn't believe some of the dishes that came from the kitchen. We saw the likes of pig head, shaved bone, beef tail and goats leg. Then they went on to put Sabi and my wine drinking to shame. The night was filled with lots of exotic food, loud yelling and guzzling beer...32 glasses to be exact on the tab. But that’s nothing when you become a millionaire overnight (in dong that is!). All that can be heard is the constant hum of bike engines and horns honking in Hanoi and we are just happy to be here.
Hanoi, Vietnam – Day 12 & 13 (29 & 30/12/11)
We did a full on city tour of Hanoi today with Quan and another of his local friends who volunteered to chauffer us around the busy city. First stop was at Vietnam’s oldest university where we saw the old traditional style buildings that were home to some of the first educational classes in the country.
Then we visited the tomb of leader Ho Chi Minh who died in 1969. The monument is huge for just one man, especially in a city where space is extremely precious. It shows the value and dedication the Vietnamese have for their former leader. We then visited the Canadian Embassy just a street over from the mausoleum.
Xo Tegs
