Ha Long and thanks for all the fun

After all that city life it was time for a change of pace and a coach ride to Ha Long City to board our junk for two nights of cruising in Ha Long (Dragon Descending) Bay.

Lunch followed by kayaking followed by a massage followed by a spring roll-ing class, followed by a barbecue dinner followed by early bed ready to rise at 6 for tai chi on deck. 

The largest moth I have ever seen joined us on deck for dinner.

A trip to the most amazing caves followed by transfer to our own personal mini junk - just the four of us on board - for a private cruise to a pearl farm, followed by more kayaking, lunch and then to a deserted bay for snorkeling, swimming and sun-bathing. I could enjoy my own yacht. (When I say yacht, of course I mean gin palace with staff to drive, cook and tend to my every need.)

Impossible to capture the grandeur and sheer awesomeness of the caves. I spent the entire time with my mouth open going, 'Wow!'

Implanting what they hope will grow to be a pearl.

The smaller junk was able to take us to less crowded places.

Next day after more tai chi it was 421 steps up a hill to a tea house then swimming in the welcome rain before back to the junk for lunch and a vegetable cutting display.

421 steps and they didn't even serve tea in the Tea House! 

Then it was back to Hanoi for a night before returning to Kuala Lumpur, where it all began.

That's the Hue it goes

Less impressed with Hue as a place but I did have a wonderful long head and body massage for £10 so mustn't grumble.

We spent the morning at the Citadel in the old Imperial City, taking a bike ride there and once more being unable to lose our very helpful drivers. So helpful they even took our washing to a very reliable washerwoman they knew. I was a little concerned at the ease with which Husband handed over a large bag of our clothes to two relative strangers but, true to their word, they returned with our clean clothes. 

Meanwhile I'd been making the most of the hotel pool (and massage parlour).

In the evening we ate in the French Quarter at Les Jardins de la Carambole - taxi ride a bargain at 75p - where I thoroughly enjoyed my Boeuf Bourgignon. 

The Royal Opera House, performances daily

The next morning it rained! But not until we were the only passengers on a boat ride on what would be the Perfume River at a different time of year.

And proving just how many people use Tripadvisor in the Serene Restaurant we bumped into an Aussie couple we'd spoken to in our hotel in Hoi An.

   

A little worrying when you notice the driver of your boat is taking a nap.

Oop north

From Hoi An we hired a car to take us through the mountains to Hue, pronounced Whay, approximately. That's how a Welsh woman pronounces it anyway.

On route we stopped at Marble Mountain, which, though no doubt highly impressive was too hot to enjoy.

And there were the inevitable marble sellers with millions of Buddhas of all - I was going to say shapes but they were generally one shape - sizes.

The countryside we passed through was very beautiful and green though.

Hai Van mountain pass in particular was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, as the main thoroughfare from north to south and being of strategic value to both sides. Today it's attractive to tourists and wedding parties.

Oi, Anne! Or should it be Hoi An?

From Ho Chi Minh City we flew to the old town of Hoi An. Or rather to the nearest airport where we were collected in chauffeur-driven car and taken to the Hotel Royal. Via the tailoring shop of the chauffeur's sister (allegedly) where I found myself ordering and being measured for a slim-fitting dress and Husband ordered a short sleeve shirt. (We collected them the next day - perfect fits and excellent quality. When in Hoi An, where every other shop is a tailor's, you have to!)

A Heritage Dinner next to the pool at the hotel that evening. All delicious. Husband particularly enjoyed the five different rice spirits served with each course, his favourite being the plum.

After a morning touring the old town - and may I point out just how flipping hot it was? - we enquired after the bus the hotel laid on to take guests to the beach about 20 minutes away. Apparently we were the only guests requiring the service so they provided us a with a chauffeur-driven car again. Seriously? A chauffeur taking us to the beach? Bottles of cold water and cool wipes provided of course.

In Tan Ky house, one of the most historic in Hoi An. I was melting and not really taking in all the history that was being explained to us.

It may look refreshing but this was the warmest sea water you could imagine: not refreshing at all

Loads of cookery courses were advertised and although Husband wasn't keen at first he agreed to join me for Cooking with Mo the next morning. Early the next morning. Very early the next morning. To visit the market before taking a boat ride out to her island home and cookery school.

The menu went as follows: fresh spring roll (Goi Cuon), pancakes (Banh Xeo), grilled fish and beef noodle soup. With fresh fruit served as a dessert and constantly refilled glasses of cooling passion fruit juice during cooking. If you ever visit Hoi An do take the opportunity to join Mo for a cookery class. It was one of the highlights of the trip even for Husband.

Perhaps not today, thank you.

The women who make the noodles rise at a ridiculously early hour - 1.00 am - to make the noodles, allow them to dry and bring them to market ready for the early start

This old lady is in her 80s and has been a butcher in the market all her life.

On the island heading to the cookery school, laden with our shopping.

We were the only two on the course on that day so we benefited from very personal service - and a fan each.

Husband enjoying his fresh spring roll with peanut dipping sauce made form their own peanuts.

I can't remember what I had to do here, maybe chop veg to pile on the fish - which Husband had the job of preparing.

Sampling the grilled fish.

I realise I don't have any photos of the Pho Bo Hanoi (beef rice noodle soup). It cooked slowly during the morning as we prepared the rest of the dishes - except for the fillet steak that was thinly sliced and cooked very lightly in the broth just before serving - and was probably eaten before we had a chance to photograph it. Suffice to say that it was delicious.

I am starving now!

Why I'm posting about Vietnam

Sooooooooo I'm not feeling well. Day 4 of an upper respiratory tract viral infection, according to the doctor. Note the word 'viral', meaning no antibiotics. I probably went to see him too soon. If I'd waited I'm sure my throat would have obligingly gunged up - well, it did I am convinced. I've been proper poorly and feeling sorry for myself.

I blame the grandchildren and Daughter who've all suffered similarly recently. Before they moved back to Swansea I was never ill. Almost never. Now it's becoming a common occurrence. Not that I would have them move away again! I'm sure I'll build up my - now you see I can't remember the thing you have - hang on, I'll ask Husband - antibodies. (I remembered that; I confused Husband by saying it was an -ionic word.)

Virus has obviously affected my brain too. Or not.

I am such a whiner. I have a friend who has been in hospital for most of the last year and she grumbles less than me.

Two books read, two films watched and now I have a shelf full of unread books but can't choose one that is just right. So I think I'll take advantage of my enforced period of doing nothing and post some photos of our holiday in Vietnam. Last September. 

Previous posts you'll find here should you want to remind yourself of the hows and whys. Otherwise sit back and enjoy more of our wonderful adventure.

Back to normal today

After two days of being looked after it's back to the grindstone today, trying to catch up with cleaning and 'stuff'. My to-do list seems to get longer faster than it gets shorter. If you see what I mean.

We're trying again tonight to get Uncle to church. The taxi company that failed to turn up in time last week is the only one in Swansea that has wheelchair-accessible cabs so we're a bit stuck. We might have a go later in the week at getting Uncle into our mini but I don't think we'd be able to get his wheelchair in even if we got him in. And out.

Finding out that life is not simple for the disabled. But that still doesn't justify the number of disabled parking spaces compared to parent and toddler!

* * * * * * * *

Looking out at the rain - the edge of Abigail I believe - today it's hard to remember that it was only two months ago that we were sitting by a lake in Hanoi being drawn.

You can't tell from that photo just how very hot and humid it was.

Quite a crowd gathered as the artist did her work.

Including another artist who decided to draw us too.

Which one do you think is best?

The one we paid for?

Or the one we didn't pay for? (Of course we did pay for it too in spite of Husband's grumbles.)

If you look at the first photo you can see Husband is actually smiling. Slightly. It's just that his resting face is grumpy.