Monday, May 2
We started the trip to Halong Bay at. 7 from Hanoi. We stopped along the way at a factory where the disabled can work, for example. with silk embroidery. They had many interesting images. Yes there were many things to look at. The place is called "Hong Ngoe". We also visited an exciting new place. A kind of pearl factory where you can get examined how they make pearls. A guide explained to us how they make pearls by implanting some tissue from a mussel into another while that they put a small round ball into the mussel. Only 30 percent of the clams, they start up, as the end to produce a gem. Different types of oyster clams doing different colors beads. Elisabeth were tempted to invest in a very nice black pearl in a silver chain + a bracelet made of sea shell. I let me also be tempted to buy a bracelet. Halong Bay has a new great port. We found our boat "Bien Ngoc 10" and sailed out of the harbor as soon as the captain had been authorized. We immediately got our very beautiful rooms. The boat has been completely renovated recently, so everything is neat and tidy. The next item was a delicious lunch. After lunch we sailed to a very large stalactite cave. Henning D talked steps up to the cave and around. Over 400 were it. Then there was the beach visit to the island Ten Top with the ability to climb a very long and steep staircase. Henning were down while Khoa and Elisabeth climbed. They claimed that the sight from up there was worth the trip. 19:30's dinner. Today we will fine us with French red wine to the food !!!
Here an example of a large beautiful silk embroidery. It cost about 32,000,000 dong. That is about 11,000 Danish kr. It is impossible to photograph without glare from the glass frame. It is the white lines at the top.
Unfortunately it was a bit hazy, but it meant in turn that the temperature was pleasant. We were not alone on the sea! The photo was taken from the top of an island, where they had made stairs up.
Sunset over Ha Long Bay
Icing on shrimp food. A chilli, 2 carrots, 2 cucumbers and radish has turned into a very nice bouquet. The prawns hanging under the "bouquet"
The whole group is ready to capture an
Tuesday, May 3
We got the normal breakfast on the boat. The chef made a demonstration of his vegetable art. Especially his way to make fishing nets of a carrot is impressive. We sailed back to HaLong Bay and said goodbye to bådpersonalet. They had made a great effort that everything was perfect for us. Due. new rules we had to take the ferry to Cat Ba and not our own boat, as usual. It was quick and easy. There were many Vietnamese with. We got our rooms at the Hotel Princes - large rooms. Henning D., Elisabeth and I got a nice pot of soup on "Green Mango" after which we took an electric car to the beach. It is cheap to use their electric cars. We enjoyed a few hours on the lovely beach. Then return the electric car again and the afternoon ended with a guided tour. We had delicious dinner at the "Green Mango", and then to bed. The heat makes all tired when we reach tonight.
Results of the chef's demonstration. It requires a secure steady hand to produce!
The ferry does not seem to cope with many waves!
Cat Ba has a very important fishing
Wednesday, May 4
Check out from Cat Ba. We said goodbye to the hotel Princes. Thao our driver has come back. He had visited friends in Hai Phong. He had taken the fast boat back and forth. We reached the ferry to the mainland just to the time when it sailed. On the way to Hanoi we visited a ceramics factory. The seller in the shop gave a demonstration of how their big jars painted before they are burned. She was good at. It went fast and so "easy" out! Next stop was the Sao Do, the place where disabled people have the opportunity to work with silk embroidery and more. We were back at the hotel at. 15 and got our rooms plus a little rest. On Cat Ba I met an old friend, which is guide by "fantasy". He invited us to dinner at home with his family. He collected us in his beautiful new car at. 19, and we were driven to his home, which is something outside Hanoi. There was covered up for dining on the floor, but those with the operated knee was allowed to sit respectively on the bed and the lone chair. It was a really nice dinner with beer and local schnapps. All were up early the next morning, so we were driven home relatively early. The guide has a wife and two boys. The little 4 years old had never seen foreigners before, so he was somewhat uncomfortable with the great guests, and cried most of the time!
She started with an unpainted jar.
The jar is now ready for firing. It took about a quarter!
After firing the jar pattern became blue.
We enjoyed ourselves right to family visits Hennings good friend.
guide to the left, then a neighbor in green, the young guy is a brother and the woman is the guide's wife.
Thursday, May 5
We drove to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum at 8. We were some of the very early, so we avoided having to stand in line in the heat. The Mausoleum was nice and cold. Mausoleum is located in a lovely park. At the edge of it lies the one-legged pagoda. We had good time, so we spent 1 1/2 hours on the Ho Chi Minh Museum. From Ho Chi Minh, we went to KoTo and got a lovely lunch. Then taxi to the hotel where we had been allowed to keep our rooms until. 14. Reste of the afternoon was spent for a little of everything, while we are waiting to the Water Theatre. Thuy phoned us that she would come to the hotel just before we were off to the railway station. We ate again at Ochid. Hung and her friend came and ate with us. On 9/5 we should eat at Hung. The train to Sapa ran on time. The trip went very well and we were in Lao Cai at. 6.30.
Companies The one-legged pagoda
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Inside the Ho Chi Minh's home
Ho Chi Minh Museum
More about Ho Chi Minh
My photos from water theater was not good. Too little light and too much movement. Here are the puppeteers who have come forward and receive the audience's tribute. It was a glorious spectacle.
Kupe on the train
Well arrived in Lao Cai at 6 o'clock in the morning. It's nice to run with a night.