That’s all we’ve heard from everyone here - all the way from Shanghai. It usually means - Stop, I have something to sell you. "Hello, Bambo raft?" "Hello, Moto ride?" "Hello, bicycle?" Or it’s from a bunch of kids trying to get us to say it back (kind reminds me of when I was a kid and we would pass a truck on the highway and try to get him to sound the horn….) But I have to say, it’s getting annoying! But enough complaining - life is actually pretty great.
We spent nearly a week in Yangshuo, where we rented bicycles and rode through the countryside. It was simply gorgeous! And it was nice to stay somewhere for a while. After that, we had a nice voyage to Vietnam - a five-hour bus ride to Nanning, where we stayed overnight and bought tickets for the next day to Hanoi. Another six-hour bus ride (with stunning scenery) and we were in Hanoi, where the hard sell was on! Probably the most stressful city I’ve been to (yet.) Everyone wants to sell you something, and the first price is most definitely not wha
t you want to pay. Just walking down the street is an adventure - with all the bicycles and motorbikes going every which way, leaning on their horns to try to persuade others to get out of the way. Our hotel in Hanoi wasn’t much of a haven, as the owner kept trying to sell us (overpriced) tours at every turn (free breakfast was included, but I think it was just so he could use the time to pressure us into going on a tour!) Oh, and I haven’t mentioned the BED BUGS yet. I’m pretty sure I got all these bites on my arms from the hotel in Hanoi…I just hope they haven’t hitched a ride with us by crawling into our bags…I guess time will tell.
After just two nights in Hanoi, we high-tailed it to Halong Bay and Cat Ba island. The easiest way to get here (and anywhere in Vietnam, it seems) was to book a half tour. Most people come here on three-day, two night excursions, but Matthias really hates that sort of thing, so we just booked the trip here (traveling with the tour group on the minibus from Hanoi, the "junk" boat to the island, and a night in a hotel. We switched hotels the next day, finding a great place with private balcony overlooking the bay for just $8 per night! We rented Kayaks yesterday (see photos), and we plan to go to the beach today. And the weather has been great (so far) so all in all, Vietnam is good.
In two days we’re heading back to Hanoi and then down the coast - first stop is Hue. Will update again in a week or so.
We spent nearly a week in Yangshuo, where we rented bicycles and rode through the countryside. It was simply gorgeous! And it was nice to stay somewhere for a while. After that, we had a nice voyage to Vietnam - a five-hour bus ride to Nanning, where we stayed overnight and bought tickets for the next day to Hanoi. Another six-hour bus ride (with stunning scenery) and we were in Hanoi, where the hard sell was on! Probably the most stressful city I’ve been to (yet.) Everyone wants to sell you something, and the first price is most definitely not wha
t you want to pay. Just walking down the street is an adventure - with all the bicycles and motorbikes going every which way, leaning on their horns to try to persuade others to get out of the way. Our hotel in Hanoi wasn’t much of a haven, as the owner kept trying to sell us (overpriced) tours at every turn (free breakfast was included, but I think it was just so he could use the time to pressure us into going on a tour!) Oh, and I haven’t mentioned the BED BUGS yet. I’m pretty sure I got all these bites on my arms from the hotel in Hanoi…I just hope they haven’t hitched a ride with us by crawling into our bags…I guess time will tell.
After just two nights in Hanoi, we high-tailed it to Halong Bay and Cat Ba island. The easiest way to get here (and anywhere in Vietnam, it seems) was to book a half tour. Most people come here on three-day, two night excursions, but Matthias really hates that sort of thing, so we just booked the trip here (traveling with the tour group on the minibus from Hanoi, the "junk" boat to the island, and a night in a hotel. We switched hotels the next day, finding a great place with private balcony overlooking the bay for just $8 per night! We rented Kayaks yesterday (see photos), and we plan to go to the beach today. And the weather has been great (so far) so all in all, Vietnam is good.
In two days we’re heading back to Hanoi and then down the coast - first stop is Hue. Will update again in a week or so.
Hi...
ReplyDeleteJust read the blog and of course my ears/eyes/heart perked up when I read about the possibility of bed bugs.
As an experienced bed bugs trauma victim let me make a couple of suggestions. As soon as possible, wash everything you can in hot water and if possible, place your luggage in a drier for 30 minutes high heat.
If the bites itch a bit the next day it's likely bed bugs. Keep your luggage away from any bed you sleep on also.
xox
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