Aug 6 - Halong Bay

 Our second day at Halong Bay. After an early breakfast we went to a site where we boarded “Bamboo boats” - actually fibreglass and steel boats but presumably the same design as the traditional boats of the area. Our oarsman took us through a natural tunnel into a lagoon like area totally surrounded by rocky walls. There was a family of monkeys playing on the rocks and various birds and a hundred kayaks and bamboo boats. 

Afterwards we returned the ship for a shower then a lesson cooking Vietnamese fried spring rolls. These became part of our lunch. Our guide pointed out that these are traditionally made for new year celebrations in spring - hence the name. 

Our final night was back in the old part of Hanoi. Then the long flight home on Wednesday via Ho Chi Minh City again.

Bridge over the Red River, Song Hong, Hanoi.

Aug 5 Halong Bay

 Today we joined a 2 day cruise of Halong Bay, 2.5 hours drive from Hanoi. The bay has around 2000 islands of various sizes and almost that many cruise boats sailing between them. We swam at a small beach on Titop Island, named after a Russian diplomat who supported the North in their fight against the USA and the south. The water was very warm but very murky from all the soil that gets washed down into the bay whenever it rains. We then visited a huge limestone cave that goes hundreds of metres back into the mountain. Quite spectacular! The day finished with drinks and snacks on the deck as we watched the sun set. Our next adventure, after dinner, is squid fishing! I should add that we were served little squids as part of our lunch today.

Swimming beach on a small island.

  

H

 After all that, all that’s left is to sit and watch the sunset over drinks and snacks

Aug 4 Hanoi

Today a Vietnamese friend of a friend came to our hotel to take us out for a Vietnamese breakfast and then to do some sightseeing. We went to a Pho cafe first for pho and other savoury treats - including fried egg. Then up the street to a cafe that s been operating since 1952 - Ca Phé. French influence there if you didn’t pick it. The cafe was filled with paintings that were swapped for coffee by poor artists in the past. 

Ca Phé

A modern pair of apartment buildings in the middle of the old city.

Next it was off to St Joseph’s Cathedral, another grand church in the French tradition.

Sanctuary

Side Chapel

Our final stop was at the Temple of Literature, Van Mieu, the site of a Confucian education facility established in 1070 and operating as the first Vietnamese University from 1076 - 1779. It’s a temple dedicated to Confucius still in use by locals though also a major tourist attraction.

Entrance gardens

Stelae inscribed with the theses of doctoral graduates of the university. There are 82 of an original 116. Each mounted on a stone turtle, one of the nation’s four holy creatures and a symbol of longevity and wisdom.

Examination tents used for students sitting major exams.

The examiners’ seats where they sat while the exams were being completed.