Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay is on the must see list for Vietnam. The karsts really do project this kind of prehistoric feel. Rising sheer out of the water and cloaked in forest, some containing huge cave systems.

We hopped on the boat with about 12 others and cruised out into the bay after lunch

Floating fishermans village amongst the karsts.

At night the boat boys lowered the lamps and we got to do a bit of squid fishing. Just a length of bamboo and a line. The lure is a shiny piece of plastic with a hook on the end. Just dangle it over the side, keep whipping it out, slowly the squid pop around and bang its on the end.

Inside the boat the boatboys have started up the kareoki what a shockin noise. I stayed outside fishing.

Life on the ocean wave :)

Diane looking pleased with herself having just bagged a nice squid. She got so excited with the first one... all I heard was a yelp, she hoiked the thing out so hard the squid flew off the end of the line and sailed through the air into the inky darkness (lucky escape) :)

Nice catch - on the table next morning




















Dawn view from our cabin and I'm half asleep but the scene is really surreal as the sun rises

View from the cave entrance. Amazing caves, just huge, like a hollywood film set. After the caves we headed back to shore and Hanoi. Great trip.

If I were her I'd say "oi no! get off that mobile phone now and help paddle the bloody boat"

Hanoi

We got to Hanoi on the overnight train and headed out of the station. Di wanted to know which way was north so we could orientate ourselves. I put my Bear Grylls hat on and looked up at the cloudy sky (come on jonnboy you can do this) and with considerable authority pointed out the path of the sun... east to west thus making that.... (with a point of the finger ) North!Whos the daddy :) Not me apparently!! After 10 minutes we realised we were actually walking south :) Dohhhh!












Really tasty noodle soup on the street, reckon this was the best yet. Bowl of soup, plate of noodles and a big bowl of mixed leaves. Just delicious.

This whole street had shops selling a tasty drink called a "Sinh To" Basically a glass containing mixed fruit with condensed milk and coconut milk poured over the top. You also get a bucket of finely crushed ice that you spoon into the glass. So simple yet really tasty.






If you hear the train coming it's probably too late :)




















Nice wiring lads, it's been a hard day's work so let's get on the fresh beer.























Every morning at about 5.30 the locals congregate around the lake for a bit of exercise. Me and Di got out there for our morning run and joined in. Couple of laps of the lake and stopping off on the way for some aerobics and weight training. Leanne if your reading this, it's not all fun on the open road :)

Oh Diane ya just not in time to the music love :)

Well we're not complete saints, all that effort requires a bit of reward !!

Do I look like I know what I'm eating ? Do I trust the chef ? :)

View from the street side with a beer of course :)

Diane just stopping by at the Dung cafe :) cool.

Soldiers on parade, and never a more shabby display have I ever witnessed. As for Dopey, Grumpy, Sneezy and Doc. Lets just hope they don't get to use live ammo.

Mausoleum containing the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. Sombre place where all smiling is strictly forbidden. The body lies within a glass box inside. You feel the reverence inside the place; its completely palpable.

PENNY - Don't scroll any further down.

If you think thats what it looks like, you're probably right :)

Hoi An in Vietnam

After a death race ride on a mini bus we arrived in Hoi An. Beautiful place with miles of empty beaches. Didn't take us long to find a place to stay and put all our dirty laundry in for cleaning . Really picturesque town full of history. Still retaining a french feel with the architecture still intact after all the conflict. Lots of little tailor shops, everyone wants to knock up a suit for you. Got a pair of trousers taken up which was dead handy, anyway i think i am beginning to bore myself with this post so i,m gonna move on :)

Another beach to ourselves. Reached on push bikes about 2 or 3 km out of town. Blooming bounty girl seems to be following me around :)

Street markets are always interesting just the sheer range of produce on offer. Some right strange stuff on the go. Eggs in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways. Some appear to have been buried for a period of time and are encased in black earth

No way its Mr Miyagi, wipe on, wipe off, oi, Mr Miyagi over ere, smile ! Ker ching, next photo :) I wonder how many times he,s heard that, made me laugh though :)

Ahhh the fresh beer and only 25p a glass. Always icy cold, I cannot understand people drinking the bottled stuff for 10 times the price

Another long day ends cheers !!

That chicken!!!!

We arrived in Qui Nong after travelling accross the central highlands of Vietnam. The weather was cloudy and rained for most of the way. We stood in the shower for about an hour getting rid of all the dust and grime. Qui nong is a little place on the coast. Lot of fishing going on as you can see in the picture. Di is looking out at all the fishing nets and guys paddling round in coracles

You know the old expression "a little knowledge can be dangerous" well i've got another "No knowledge is fatal" Thought we would just waltz into a nearby restaurant, order a meal and sit with the locals.... no problem... there was no English but there were one or two pictures on the menu... easy peasy. Well, I have to say when the silver salver was presented to us with what I can only describe as a chicken autopsy, head, feet and entrails, I started questioning my ability to interpret the vietnamese menu. Me and Diane just lookin from each other to the chickin carnage on a platter. "Sweetheart it's worth it just for the comedy value" was all I could say. I believe the poor rooster had been boiled for about an hour to make it as tough as old leather and then all its entrails were arranged around it. To finish the whole ensemble a bunch of spring onions were thrown loosely on top. Well we pushed it around before convincing ourselves it was a vietnamese conspiracy and we had just been mugged by the Waitress and the chef. We paid up the extortionate bill and left, I'm sure I could hear them cackle as we dissapeared into the drizzly night.