Hanoi & Halong Bay

We just got back from a memorable trip to Hanoi and kayaking in Halong Bay. The weather was quite cold and the sun was missing, but it was still an amazing site!

Our connecting flight on the way to Hanoi was delayed and we ended up spending our first night in Hong Kong. We got up early the next day for a flight to Danang and then on to Hanoi! We were used to motorcycles and scooters in Bangkok - but this city takes that experience to a new level.

 The bikes are everywhere and we crossed most streets arm in arm or in masses because it was safer!

Hanoi Traffic

Pepsi Noodle Cafe

They also carry everything on their bikes but you will have to read on to get to that part and see for yourself.

After a day of touring the city and eating great food, we headed to Halong Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage site -  for a few days on The Treasure Junk and beautiful limestone peaks!

Our floating Hotel on Halong Bay

The Treasure Junk was a great way to cruise the bay, eat great food and meet some very interesting travelers of all kinds. Our room was a little over the top as you can see . . .

Dining area on our boat

As soon as we got settled, we headed out on the kayaks to see the bay and its spectacular scenery. A bit chillier than we had expected, but fun nonetheless.

Shell seeking during our break

Taking a break on a sandy beach

After a fun afternoon exploring, we headed back to the deck of our Junk and enjoyed hot showers and cooking lessons before a traditional Vietnamese dinner.  After dinner, we went squid fishing with lighted lures that proved to be impossible. Not a squid to be caught or seen anywhere!

 We wake to another day on the bay and explore caves and lagoons for several hours on our kayaks. I was the photographer in front while my trusted partner paddled us all around.

Into the dark caves we went so I traded my camera for a flashlight!

Through the Cave into the open

We spotted Brown Monkeys!

 We were given the option to swim . . . only a few monkeys decide to take a dip!!!! Brrrr

Phil monkeying around

We visited a fishing village with crude houses and even a primary school. The villagers went about their daily lives as we cruised on by.

Our Water Taxi awaits

On our way!

Beautiful colors all around 

Baby nets to keep kids from falling in the water!

TV/Radio Antennae and lights for Karaoke at night

Primary School 

We loved our time in Halong Bay and met some amazing people. Sadly, we had to say good bye and headed for dry land. After a 4 hour drive back to Hanoi, we had drinks with new friends and toasted to a great trip!

Our final day in Hanoi we decided to spend the day on foot in the crazy hustle and bustle.  This "butcher" was perched just outside the door of our hotel. When we came back at the end of the day, that tenderloin was still there - a bit dusty, but still for sale!

I Loved the ladies that carried their wares or food on these poles, navigating through the busy streets with sometimes very heavy loads!

Ceramic lady

Flowers of all varieties were available on street corners, on the backs of scooters and pedal bikes. As soon as they would park they would be sold out in no time!

But, one of the highlights of our trip had to be sitting on a curb near Ho Chi Minh's tomb taking photos of all of the crazy things people were carrying on their scooters and motorbikes. Before we had our cameras at the ready, we saw two guys with a full sized, gutted pig carcass draped across their laps motoring down the street. We then got our cameras out and this is what we saw . . .

A day of Shopping

Balloons on a Bike

Bedroom on a Bike

Bundles on a Bike

Live Chickens on a Bike

Desk/Office on a Bike

Memorial Flowers on a Bike

Green Bundles on a Bike

Newspapers on a Bike

Metal Poles on a Bike

Water Bottles on a Bike

Lucky Orange Tree on a Bike

Bigger Orange Tree on a Bike

Flowers on a Bike

Bouquet on a Bike

Dusters & Baskets on a Bike

Sunflowers on a Bike

Grate on a Bike

Baby on a Trike!

As we were heading back to the hotel, Phil spotted this bike in the window at an opening of a new hotel. It was not for sale - but he was very excited to check it out.

After a long day we headed back to the hotel and enjoyed one more hectic stroll!

Some final shopping before going home

We loved Hanoi and especially Halong Bay and hope to return when we can enjoy the warmth and the sun!

Back to Shanghai for us!

xoxo, Phil & Kathy

Singapore!

After a quick return to Shanghai, we had the chance to escape for a long weekend to Singapore for warm breezes and beautiful flora and fauna!

Our hotel was the new Marina Bay Sands Hotel featuring an amazing infinity pool on the 57th floor! It looks like a surfboard suspended by the hotel columns and a high end Promenade Mall is in the waves below. Although we wish we could say it was a fantastic place, it fell short on comfort and charm!

Marina Bay Sands Hotel from inside the Cloud Dome

Right next door, Gardens by the Bay provided an amazing view from our room!

Gardens by the Bay is a government project being developed on reclaimed land from the sea.  The first phase includes these hanging gardens with an elevated walkway to get a bird's eye view of the marina area.

Taking in Gardens by the Bay!

There are also two domes - the Flower Dome and the Cloud Dome. The Flower Dome was like being at the Philadelphia flower show every day of the year! Beautiful plants and trees from many parts of the world were showcased here.

Flower Dome statue

Flower Dome - Year of the Horse

The Cloud Dome is intended to simulate a mountain region with plants that grow in cooler regions. The waterfall provided relief from the heat outside but also provided moisture to nourish the mountain inside the dome.

Cloud Dome - Man -made waterfall

We could not get enough of this space - it was really well designed and the plant varieties were incredible.

Amazing plants on the back side of the waterfall

National Orchid Garden

Phil was a real trooper and took us on the Metro to walk in the Botanic Gardens on the other side of town. We went specifically to see the National Orchid Garden. So many varieties of orchids - 

Our time in Singapore was short, but a great reprieve with a feast for the eyes! We made one last stop at the famous Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. The hotel has not changed since we visited it 10 years ago, but the price of Singapore Slings has. They were $27.00 a piece and the bartenders were making them 10 at a time, barely keeping up with demand!

Huangshan - Yellow Mountain

Our journey to the mountain began with a van drive for an hour, a bus drive up dangerously sharp "S" turns for about 20 minutes and a steep cable car ride for another 30 minutes. It was hard to believe when we arrived at the top, that we were so high - above the clouds with beautiful granite mountains all around us.

A view of the "sea" clouds at the top

 We arrived at the top with our backpacks and small duffel only to realize we had a 40 minute uphill climb to get to the hotel. We took in the "looking points" all along the way. I was not as adventerous as Phil as the heights were astounding with low railings barely keeping you secure.

Phil on the viewing platform with some of our new friends!

One of the more remote places - I was not going out there!

As we traveled up the mountain peaks, the sea of clouds below began to move up the mountain and obscured some of the view. It was still magical.

We stopped for lunch - another delicious Chinese meal of greens, peanuts, some kind of spicy meat and rice. Yummmm. Our guide mentioned a famous artist in residence who paints scenes of Huangshan on rice paper and silk, was nearby. We sought him out and immediately fell in love with him. With limited English and Mandarin - we stumbled through an exchange that made us feel like we were old friends. We bargained hard and bought 4 of his paintings to represent each of the four seasons. 

Master bargainer and Master Painter & Calligrapher

We finally dropped our bags at the hotel and ventured out to climb some more. Every where you looked there were stunning mountains. 

As the sun went down, we settled on a peak and waited. You felt like you were on the edge of the world!

Sunset on Huangshan

The next morning we woke up to beautiful sunny skies with views better than we could have hoped for. We hiked out to Lion's Point, the highest point, to see the Monkey on a Rock. The stone really did look like a monkey looking over the valley!

Monkey Rock

 Across the canyon, we spotted a new walkway being built. We were amazed that this was even possible - evidence that safety regulations differ from those back home.

New Walkway

Our legs were beginning to ache and the mist was growing in mass. It was time to move on, but after one more climb to the top.

As the morning turned to early afternoon, the clouds began to rise and before we knew it, we were in a "milk bottle". You could not see anything in front of you - we began to wind our way back down the mountain!

Sea clouds rising

Huangshan Lovers

Huangshan left such an impression on us. The scenery was spectacular, the climb difficult and the challenge a welcomed change from the busy city life! We are ready to see more and are anxious to begin planning our next adventure.

xoxo, Kathy & Phil