Over the weekend, the main doctor we are working (Dr. T) with took us on a day trip to Ha Long Bay. The day started when Dr. T picked us up at our hotel with a private van/driver and a security guard (I think we got special treatment because we are at a military hospital). We hopped in the van and went down the street to eat banh cuon, which is yummy pork wrapped in fresh rice noodles. Of course, we couldn't say no so we pigged out :)
After breakfast, we began the long, bumpy journey to Ha Long Bay. Even though it is only about 90 miles away, it took us about 3 hours to get there. This is because the Vietnamese are crazy drivers and there are literally no rules to the road (think of buses passing rows of cars on a one lane road with oncoming traffic in sight). Traffic is terrible and many of the roads aren't in great condition. We had a pit stop where we got some fresh sugar cane to munch on. We also picked up another doctor along the way.
[in front of our sweet ride]
We passed Ha Long City and went to some place where there were a bunch of Asian tourists but no white people so we felt like we were in the know with the inside scoop. Then, we rented a boat (a huge one! For just our small group of 6... We're so fancy!!) and began our tour of the bay.
Ha Long Bay is super breathtaking with many islands sprouting up from the water everywhere. Just cruising around felt magical. We stopped at one island and explored a couple of grottos which also felt pretty magical. Much of the caves were lit up by different colored lights which could have possibly come across as cheesy but didn't really because they were so cool.
[grotto!]
After the caves (and many photos), we hopped back on the boat and it was lunch time! We saw some smallish crabs, shrimp, and clams on the table and thought that was it (yum! Seafood!). Little did we know that lunch was a full-on feast! The food kept coming and coming and it was all delicious and fresh seafood: fish (friend in cakes, fresh grilled, and in stew), squid (fried and fresh), clams, fried spring rolls, French fries, steamed veggies... The works!!! And of course our hosts brought a small bottle of Hanoi Vodka an we kept toasting and sipping vodka throughout the meal. It was pretty much amazing. Also, J and I were stuffed and could barely move by the end of it.
After breakfast, we began the long, bumpy journey to Ha Long Bay. Even though it is only about 90 miles away, it took us about 3 hours to get there. This is because the Vietnamese are crazy drivers and there are literally no rules to the road (think of buses passing rows of cars on a one lane road with oncoming traffic in sight). Traffic is terrible and many of the roads aren't in great condition. We had a pit stop where we got some fresh sugar cane to munch on. We also picked up another doctor along the way.
[in front of our sweet ride]
We passed Ha Long City and went to some place where there were a bunch of Asian tourists but no white people so we felt like we were in the know with the inside scoop. Then, we rented a boat (a huge one! For just our small group of 6... We're so fancy!!) and began our tour of the bay.
Ha Long Bay is super breathtaking with many islands sprouting up from the water everywhere. Just cruising around felt magical. We stopped at one island and explored a couple of grottos which also felt pretty magical. Much of the caves were lit up by different colored lights which could have possibly come across as cheesy but didn't really because they were so cool.
[grotto!]
After the caves (and many photos), we hopped back on the boat and it was lunch time! We saw some smallish crabs, shrimp, and clams on the table and thought that was it (yum! Seafood!). Little did we know that lunch was a full-on feast! The food kept coming and coming and it was all delicious and fresh seafood: fish (friend in cakes, fresh grilled, and in stew), squid (fried and fresh), clams, fried spring rolls, French fries, steamed veggies... The works!!! And of course our hosts brought a small bottle of Hanoi Vodka an we kept toasting and sipping vodka throughout the meal. It was pretty much amazing. Also, J and I were stuffed and could barely move by the end of it.
[lunch time! Seafood feast.]
Our cruise continued throughout the bay for a bit more and then we headed back to the shore. Although our trip was short (many people spend a couple of days exploring Ha Long Bay, spending the night on a boat), we got a nice taste of the scenery and enjoyed amazing company with our new Vietnamese friends!
Our cruise continued throughout the bay for a bit more and then we headed back to the shore. Although our trip was short (many people spend a couple of days exploring Ha Long Bay, spending the night on a boat), we got a nice taste of the scenery and enjoyed amazing company with our new Vietnamese friends!
[Ha Long Bay]
The trip home took about 3.5 hours. The plus side: we saw some monkeys at a random rest stop!
Overall, it was a fun and unforgettable day.
The trip home took about 3.5 hours. The plus side: we saw some monkeys at a random rest stop!
Overall, it was a fun and unforgettable day.
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