My Rendezvous with Hanoi and Ha long bay- Vietnam

We play our existence in search of boundless freedom with a wish to be defeated by unleashing human spirit. In a number of ways unique to each of us, we find a path towards this exploration. Travel is my path.

Geography: Hanoi is capital of Vietnam situated in the northern part of the country.

Language: Vitenameese

Currency: Vietnameese Dong

Getting There: Flights from different parts of Asia and other major cities around the globe are available. Nearest and easiest is a flight from Bangkok. If you are travelling inside Vietnam, buses and trains are available from other parts of the country.

What’s Famous here: Pagodas, thousands of islands, Old quarter.

My Story:
Vietnam is very dear to me in many ways. I landed in Hanoi on a sunny morning, typical tropical greet by sun. After getting hassle-free visa on arrival at airport, taxi found its way through narrow streets of old quarter. The colors, people, costume, architecture, the very way how everything was laid out was already fascinating.
I reached my hotel and got acquainted to the staff. I was pressed for time to visit places in Hanoi, the staff very kind to create a plan, I set off to see Tran Quoc Pagoda.

With oozing tradition, this 1000 year old Pagoda stood steady through test of times emitting serenity perpetually.

Next stop: Lotte building. A birds eye view of the city from 65th floor.

Hidden in the old quarter amidst busy lives merely a feet away from houses entrance is this crazy railway track where trains still hurl.

Kids play, restaurants do their business, domestic works are carried out like any other part of the city, you may never see such a sight in any other place probably.

Evening magnified the colors in the old quarter, this where all the magic happens.

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Thriving forever, steep in culture, bustling with shops and restaurants, sprinkled with pagodas and temples old quarter is a delight to be around. Anyone who visits the place cannot avoid to see the cuteness in tiny details of the place. Take a stroll and get lost in the streets, a snack in one of the street side hotel is something not to be missed.
People here like to be down to earth in every sense, they have cute tables and chairs which are very small as if they are made for 5 year old’s.

Flaunting a character of its own, the place grew on me.

The evening only got better with me and my friends becoming a fan of 333. Into the night through chit chatter and stories that made no sense. Late in the night we decided to roam the streets and sit in any of those tiny tables in old quarter restaurant.

Experiencing the night in local way, taking pictures on unknown persons little bike, walking in routes unknown, this is a night that can never fade from my memory.

With a guilt of not staying more in Hanoi, I had to leave to Ha Long Bay the next morning. Hanoi and it’s people were very kind to me. I have not been taken care this way by any other hotel staff until then, they were utterly polite, friendly and genuinely happy to help, they even helped me cross the road, I was blown away by their warmth. I stayed in Nova Luxury Hotel in old Quarter.

After a 3.5 hours of drive from Hanoi, I reached the shores of Ha long bay.
In minutes I was into a small boat escorting from shores to cruise boat. As we were nearing, entire Cruise staff were at the entrance waving like babies all in unison, it was adorable, they sprinkled roses on us, a flattering welcoming gesture. Our guide gave a brief agenda for next 24 hours as we were having lunch. Explored the cruise, it was a 3 floor architecture with suites in the ground floor, dining area in first floor, sun deck and party area on the top.
It took a while for me to absorb the whole drama around me. Dreams are far from reality, imagination in dreams are as far as reality can remotely get to, within my conscious horizon, it was hard to believe that i was living it at that moment.

We slowly crawled into a maze of islands trapping us in its beauty, with winds caressing my face, dancing through the waves, soaking under sun, I stood on the deck speechless staring at the symphony of mountains that enclosed us from rest of the world.

Soon we reached Cat Ba island, the largest in Ha long bay. We were given an introduction to the history of the place. Legend says that to protect the land against enemies from North, a family of dragons descended creating natural impeccable fortress of more than 2800 islands , Ha long bay translates to descending of dragons. We were taken through a large cave which served as home for many families during war.
Back to the cruise. I was back, up in the sun deck with friends, as we moved into endless maze.

Shadows of mountains grew larger over its counterparts, noise of emerald waters filling my ears, the evening was here as we were playing hide and seek with sun. It won many times hiding behind island mountains before we could seek only the next morning. It was one of the most melodious sunset’s I have been part of.

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Happy hours, Chit chatter and cooking class. I learnt to make Vietnamese style spring roll before savoring it. Minutes later Mr.T served a delightful dinner. Later, I found myself in the sun deck again dissolving into the wind and enjoying the night sky before putting myself back in my suite for a good night’s sleep.

I was up early next morning at 5:30 and helped myself slowly up to sun deck. Sunrise was just about to occur and it felt divine. There’s something about early morning sunlight that makes the entire world pure. Tai Chi classes began as mountains were slowly becoming visible with fog escaping into blue sky. Deeply refreshing.

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The next activity was not in the cruise but out there all by ourselves in the waters , kayaking. I was doing it for the first time, daring before any second thoughts invade my ambition, with my entire trust on life jacket, psssst !! I don’t know to swim. Slowly working my way towards and away from islands and mountains, I soon learnt the knack. The view truly was a different manifestation of the same maze of islands from the kayak boats, discovering them and fighting the ripples of other cruises running close to us. Returned to cruise knowing that it was time to get back to the shore.

The staff served brunch before having to bid them bye. They gave a gracious farewell lined up at the exit wishing us good. I shook hands with heavy heart. It was the baggage of goodness from hotel staff and local people in Hanoi along with unimaginably courteous Cruise staff left me defeated.

I was dropped back to Hanoi where i spent hours roaming and shopping before It was time for me to head to a paradise called Ninh Binh.

You can find my experience in Ninh Binh here.https://pagesofgallivant.home.blog/2019/04/18/my-rendezvous-with-ninh-binh-vietnam/

Tips:

• Old quarter deserves a visit in daylight and in moonlight, don’t miss.
• Use a app called Grab for motorcycle taxi and normal taxis. it’s cheap and reliable.
• If you are purchasing anything in old quarter, do bargain, for at least 30% lesser price.

Keep Reading, Keep Travelling..!!

-UR