Mausoleum Visits - Just the details

We had an interesting morning climbing around burial sites for ex emperors this morning, lots to see but the beauty is in the details.

Some pics from around Hue

Walking around Hue in central Vietnam with time spent at the Citadel-Imperial City and the Dong Ba market.  

Cards, the devil's plaything

We spent our last day exploring the Trang An landscape by bike visiting villages and countryside but knocked off early in the afternoon for a beer break and some cards. The cards I brought have a piper on them making them my good luck cards ( thanks Ananda and Cleary!). They must have been because I couldn't stop winning at crib all afternoon. Later last night though things picked up for Pam with some solid wins at Kings Corners. Since getting in the train to Hue this morning (almost missed it) Pam set a blistering pace with non stop KC wins. I will have a quiet chat with my piper friend before we play again.

On to Hue, should get there by about 7:30 tonight.  In the meantime we will check out the view from our sleeper car, relax and maybe play some more cards...

Just getting started on my cribbage winning streak

Pam doing the K C victory dance on the train to Hue

Lunch time Vietnamese railway style

Mmmm, not bad!

Ninh Binh Farmstay

Just arrived from Hanoi today, had a chance to poke around a bit but much more to see over the next two days, Pagodas and maybe a national wildlife preserve...one day at a time.

Valley walk from Sa Pa

We had two days in Sa Pa and they couldn't have more different. The arrival day was stormy with rain/fog and cool temps. Pam and I had arrived early in the morning very tired from our overnight train trip from Hanoi. We took the opportunity to rest up and plan the next day. 

The next morning the sun was out so we went on a longer walk than planned through the valley below the town. We were guided by Soo, a young girl who knows the area and was as keen to learn from us as we were from her.  The walk was 12k through the Black Hamong villages and farms, very friendly and welcoming people.

Sa Pa 

Soo, our guide

Incense seller

Valley hiking route

From street waifs to pagodas

We have made our way west to the border with China and into the hills to get a glimpse of the different ethnic people that live here. The weather has turned cold and wet but it's still a beautiful place. We will be walking to nearby Cat Cat tomorrow for a hike. Given the weather we won't likely get much farther than that.

Pictures below are from today and from yesterday's interesting trip to the Purfume Pagoda and today in Sapa

Sapa street waif

A warm coffee on a cold wet day in Sapa

Perfume Pagoda temple

River trip to the pagoda

Dragon's teeth (pagoda roof tiles)

"Phugh" Now we know...

The following pictures are mostly from a street food tour we did. Street food in Vietnam is super tasty, fresh and easy on the budget. Our tour guide Pheonix made sure we tried as much as we could ion our three hours together.

She pronounced Pho as Phugh so we will probably stick with that as the official version for now.

The best places to eat are on the street

Phoenix our tour guide

Pagoda prayer time

Visiting Uncle Ho at the Ho Chi Min Mosoleum

Warm and moist with a 100% chance of the exotic.

 

Hot countries have a particular way of tickling all the senses. Sight, sound and smell being right up front.  Hanoi is no different and when you add an old world touch of French architecture you get an unforgettable mix  that makes it a very special place. 

Made it to Hanoi

We are very tired but happy to have finally made it here.  More later but here are two pic's from the old quarter. Tons of French influence.

How do you say Pho anyway....

Pam and I are off to Vietnam for three weeks starting right after work this Friday.  If all goes well over that time we'll have met some people from the country, had time to hike some hills, seen an ancient walled city, gone snorkeling, stayed on a farm and ate a lot of really great food.  Looking forward to the adventure and we will post any interesting pics and stories along the way. 

Oh, and I've heard Pho (the soup) is pronounced like the English say "fur", I'll give it a try and keep you  posted on how I do....