Ninh Binh to Hanoi

Our Joy Nibi hostess booked us rides to our hotel in Hanoi. 500k VND, or less than $20 for a 2 hour ride. As usual, we were pretty much the last ones on, and last off. This means last row. The younger set had the single seats, and were pretty comfy putting them back, lessoning our space. Not that I’m complaining.

We started off walking to our favorite coffee to go place for peach/yogurt smoothies and a salt coffee with cream. The latter is delicious, and tastes like caramel with sea salt.

Our vehicle was a “luxery” van, and was comfortable enough. This type of van does vie with the tourist buses as the most aggressive drivers. The trip was just over 2 hours long.

We arrived at around 2:00, and were greeted by Tommy Bui, the owner of the NT Elysian Hotel. We were offered tea or champagne. Ellen had the delicious cinnamon flavored tea, I chose the champagne. It was Vietnamese wine from the Da Lat region. Totally different from most wine we’re used to, but drinkable.

Tommy sat us down to “help” us rearrange the remainder of our Vietnamese travels. We eventually reduced our time in Hanoi and Sapa a bit, and added the Ha Giang Loop. We weren’t planning on the latter, as it is on the back of motorcycles, but were a bit sad that we were gong to skip this beautiful countryside.

Tommy also upgraded our room, to his sister’s hotel, and walked us through a map of what to do. Here is the view from our balcony.

Turns out the hotels are steps from the last remaining gate to the old town.

We were pretty hungry, and had heard about Bahn Mi 25, so we headed off to it, just a few blocks away.

Tommy told us to only walk on the right side of the street, although plenty of people don’t. The place was packed, and the bahn mi were delicious.

In an earlier post, we spoke about not liking the big cities. We’re thinking that Hanoi might be a bit different. So far the vibe, at least in the old town, is pretty terrific. The traffic is as bad as they say. I really don’t know how there aren’t more fatalities every day. More to come…

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Postcard from Ellen’s Edge

Hello All!
Well I know you all in Mn are freezing and I feel your pain, but not enough to come home yet.

We were told it would be hot and sweaty here, with rain. Well it has been perfect until we hit the beginning of North Vietnam. Then it got cold and misty and rainy.  I bought jeans and a puffer jacket so I am warm enough.  

We signed up to do the Ha Giang Loop on the back of motorcycles because it is so beautiful. We’ve been gone almost 4 months and I think we may be going a little nuts!  We are tired of planning, somewhat sick, and this was an easy way to have all taken care of for two plus weeks. Then it’s to the beach in Malaysia.
I get down mostly when I can’t find conversation with English speakers.  (I’m sure you are shocked). Steve is amazingly tolerant, I guess he always has been .

The hardest times are when taxis try to rip us off because the money here in Vietnam is very hard to read and denominated in thousands and hundred thousands, and several bills look alike. The food is also hit or miss sometimes.

Overall the Vietnamese are very friendly and the children like to say hello, slap hands, and practice their English. I did meet one guy who was older and gave me the evil eye. I don’t know why most people like us after what we did to their country, but they sure like our tourist business. There is an attitude that they won the war and they did if it can be called “winning.” Why the Hell were we here anyway?????

They talk openly about being Buddhists and Communists. It’s quite refreshing. Look where Capitalism is getting us now! I just can’t stop can I?

Love to all, Ellen