Friday, April 20
We take leave of Wun, taking the train back to the houseboat in Hué. Khoa, Henning, George and Inge traveling by car to a small fishing village Kinga. We sail a very peaceful and beautiful trip on the river. During that time we've been traveling, we have seen a myriad of pagodas and temples, but here was the site of the Catholic churches. In an hour's boat ride, we passed three churches and one chapel, and no pagodas. After lunch we visited North Vietnam's first capital from year 968 to 1010, Hoa Lu. The city was built between the mountains to protect themselves against the Chinese. Today there are only two temples remain, in honor of the first three emperors after China's occupation. In the year 1010 Lee moved the royal capital city of Hanoi. Here is still oppressive hot and humid, but today, all four were on the bikes around. 10 long and sweat dripping km to Tam Coc.
Kinga fishing village
Kinga fishing village Georg
Luu Hoa pagoda
Saturday, April 21
Partly cloudy, with a sharp drop in temperature to 25-30 degrees. Great! We are woken at. 5.30 in the morning when our Vietnamese neighbors in the hotel starts to hold palaver at a landing right next to our room. In the morning we drive to buffalo and cart to a pagoda about. an hour's drive away. Pagoda is high, and we must climb many stairs up the mountainside. A couple of young girls stood ready to support the tired men (fee). After lunch, Khoa took us on a small, non strenuous bike ride, and at. 16 went by car from Khoa's childhood home in a small village where her mother now lived alone in the grandparents' house. We went for a walk in the village and was watched by many curious glances. Khoa had to explain, and we hear the word Denmark many times.
Buffalo safari
George, Inge and Khoa
Khoa, Inge and George on a nice bike ride
Lunch in Khoas childhood home
Sunday, April 22
Sunday and day out for many Vietnamese. Along with a lot of young students, we sailed in small boats, two in each, through three mountain caves. In all, a trip of 1.5 hours. Captain spoke in French, so it was to keep your ears stiff! Then again into a well-tempered car to the village Phu Cu in Hung Yen province. The visit was Henning's sponsor daughter, Huy, 30 years and a teacher. We got a tour of the hives in the garden, and so was laid for dinner with home-roasted rice wine sweetened with honey. Skip to Hanoi for one night, and tomorrow we take the next turn.
Mountain Cave
George and Inge on boat trip
Boat
Boat
George and Inge on boat trip
Clips from Tam Coc. Right-click any.
Huy Van and Dan
Thu Anh, Inge, Huy and Georg