Today was our last day in the Hanoi area and it was…a little challenging. We have found this part of Vietnam is really, really tourist focused. As in big groups of jerk tourists. That combined with not really vibing well with our guide means we haven’t enjoyed it as much as we had hoped. We have still seen some amazing things though and the food has been delicious.
We left Hanoi this morning for a 2 hour drive to Ninh Binh Province. Our first visit was to Hoa Lu – Vietnam’s former capital before it was moved to Thang Long (Hanoi) in 1010. We also visited the remains of Dinh and Le Kings’ Temples as well as Bai Dinh pagoda – the largest pagoda in Asia. We climbed up and down about 1000 stairs here in 90% humidity and it was definitely not the best experience for me. I had to sit and recover for a good 30 mins and am now having back spasms.
Lunch was at a mass tourist restaurant and to say I was unimpressed is putting it lightly, I acknowledge there are limited options in the area…I was still grumpy about it though.
In the afternoon, we went for a 2hr cruise along the streams in the Trang An area. Along with about 400 other tourists, we rowed through 5 grottos with beautiful stalactites (from 70 to 320m length) and traveled along some beautiful canals with mountain scenery.
Off to Ha Long Bay tomorrow…the centre of “large groups of tourists” in Vietnam lol. We may not make it out without punching someone.
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