On the Way to Hanoi 131006

AirAsia launched its inaugural Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Hanoi flight (HAN) on 041006, so today, just 9 days later, we decide to try it out ourselves.

Departing KUL on schedule at 1700hrs, we are soon on our way ...


... in the setting sun ...


... some 37,000ft over Laos, at 832km/h (or so says my GPS, whose altitude is over-stated by 2,500ft).


Our actual flight path from KUL to HAN. Seems to be avoiding Cambodia. Pls click image for better view.


Half an hour later we land at the modern Noi Bai International Airport, 10min ahead of the scheduled 3-hr-25-min flight. Good start!

Morning Scene 141006

A brand new day, and in front of our hotel at Hang Bo street, a butcher starts business.


While a couple of the ubiquitous street vendors take up position. They are very mobile and are soon gone, seeking greener pastures I presume.


Narrow, shady street, typical of old Hanoi, and bikes are the kings of the road, where bicycles once were.

Going to Halong Bay 141006

Today we decide to join the convoy of day-trippers to the famous Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. Pls click image for better view.


It's a 3-hr (150km) ride, punctuated by this colourful stop in the middle of the journey.


The fleet of 16-seater Ford Transit vans plying the Hanoi - Halong Bay tourist route, neatly parked inside the compound of the centre. Quite a comfy ride along decent roads, well maybe the suspension needs to be worked on. :-)


Plenty of travelers thronging the entrance, mainly from the West.

Fine Embroidery 141006

This is what the place is all about. Disadvantaged kids doing some really neat stuff.


Fine embroidery, all hand-crafted ...


... and meticulously sewn.


A whole gallery of the craft for sale.


Impressive display.

From Hanoi to Halong Bay 141006

Our actual road-trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay traced in yellow. Click pic for a bigger version.


The Hanoi-Haiphong highway is commendable. A bit narrow though.


Approaching Halong Bay, we glimpse its trademark limestone formations as a communist-era billboard beckons. Detailed Halong Bay map is HERE.


The modern terminal where boats cruising Halong Bay roost. Hordes of backpackers swarm the place. Very international feel to it.

The Boats 141006

Various boats for one-day trips and multi-day trips docked at the terminal ...


... and stacked next to each other. Talk about quadruple, no, quintuple parking!


And we pass by boats with sleeping cabins, which go out to Halong Bay for days. Huge tourist industry this.


Squeezing between huge boats, we look for our transport, which should be at the outermost, for immediate departure.

Our Boat 141006

We found our boat at last. It's virtually a floating restaurant.


All fellow Malaysians, settling in. Very cosy indeed.


Life vests in place ...


... and we are soon on our sea journey. Well, the plan is to visit a couple of caves on an island, cruise around the limestone outcrops, have seafood lunch, and return to port. Should be done in 4 hours.

More Boats 141006

Pulling away from the port, we see more boats. Boats, boats, boats ... boats everywhere, all tourist boats!

Three More Boats 141006

Just 3 more of these magnificent machines. I notice some have sail masts, to save fuel I guess.



This house-boat is like a floating temple.

Our Boat Again 141006

Upper deck of our boat, the roof, that is. Notice the skipper in white, and the sail.


Very pleasant interior, as the boat chugs towards our first destination.

Leaving the chaotic mainland behind, we are hitting 10km/h.


And a fruit store gently attaches itself to our boat for some business.
 

A World Heritage Site 141006

We are suckers for World Heritage Sites, so here's another tick in our WHS list (see HERE and HERE).





We arrive at the island of Thiên Cung to see the Hang Đầu Gổ (Wooden Stakes Cave), the largest grotto in the Halong area - a huge cavernous cave with stalactites (dropping top-down) and stalagmites (growing bottom-up) plus the whole she-bang.


Jockeying for position at the pier. Ours is on the right.

Thiên Cung Island 141006

Another pretty boat arrives.


View of the cove.


They take conservation seriously here, and for obvious reasons. Click image for better view.


And yes, we are on the famous Thiên Cung Island, just 4km offshore.

Grotte des Merveilles 141006

And this is why people flock to Thiên Cung Island, to witness an awesome show of nature. The natural colour of the formations is creamish, so the artificial coloured lights make the whole thing a tad tacky.

The French who came here in late 19th century called the cave Grotte des Merveilles.

Please click image for much better view.

The Cove 141006

The grotto done, we emerge from the cave to a splendid view of the cove.


The mainland is some 4km away, but the weather is getting in the way.


We gingerly make our way down the steep cement and stone steps ...


... but not before gawking at the aodai-clad figurines at a souvenir stall.

Back in our Boat 141006

We walk along a raised footpath hugging the limestone hill, back to our boat ...


... while a migrating Black-eared Kite swoops (thanks to Chaiyan for the bird ID).


Back in our comfy boat for the next stop ...


... and leaving Thiên Cung Island for good.

The Floating Farm 141006

Next stop is a seafood farm, floating in between limestone islands.


We hop onto the platform. Almost lunchtime and selecting the hapless critters to munch on is no easy task.


Can't blame them, so many choices. Look like aquarium specimens. Pls click image for bigger version.


Selection finally made, and we are off!

The Vendors 141006

Another farm nearby. I wonder how commercial aquaculture can live inside an environmentally-sensitive World Heritage Site.


A grocery store makes a visit.


And also this fruits and vegies vendor. The sheltered water between the limestone outcrops is buzzing with activities.

Heading for Home 141006

Meanwhile, our boat has turned into a bazaar. Postcards and T-shirts on sale to the right.


Lunchtime over and time to exchange travellers' tales.


Heading for home. The somewhat misty condition spoils the otherwise splendid view. Has been a great outing. Great value at US$20 per head ex-Hanoi, all inclusive.


A barge tries to out-race us. Notice the bow lifted off the water. She thinks she is fast.

The Home Port 141006

Approaching the port ...


... and the usual motley ships greet us.


Maintenance work in progress. Awesome wooden boat!


This is the one which looks like a floating house.

The Serpents 141006

On the way back to Hanoi and a quick pit-stop, after almost 2 hrs on the road.


A restaurant cum souvenir shop (a.k.a tourist trap) where you can admire these poor critters turned into tonics for all sorts of ailments.


Seems to be something peculiarly Vietnamese. Have seen similar stuff in Saigon.


Enough of watery slithery stuff, I go outside and see the sun go down over the Hanoi-Haiphong highway. We are still some 60km away from Hanoi.

The Hanoi Night Market 141006

Yes, we made it back in Hanoi, in time for the famed Night Market.

Trinkets of all shapes, sizes and colours, and of English Premier League teams too.


Colourful face masks for motorbike riders, especially. Can find one to match the colour of your machine.


Pickled fruits in nicely-stacked jars. No slithery stuff here, ok?


The usual suspects. Note the awesome durians.

The Balloon Sellers 141006

All dressed up but nowhere to go.


Shops are open till late, so night-time window-shopping is a favourite pass-time.


And not to be missed, ladies selling balloons on a dark busy street.


Yes, the balloon-ey suicide squad.


Enough of Hanoi after dark, we retire to our room.