I just want to be like this forever

stare at the mountain, telling silly jokes, or simply not doing a thing. Dolce Far Niente.

Halong Bay & Tam Coc, Vietnam

We took a day tour to Halong Bay on the next day we back from Sapa. I guess Halong Bay is the most famous tourist spot in Hanoi. Well, I can say it's just pretty overrated, but at least you get to canoe there. Haha.

Where's the dragon boat? *disappointed

To canoe through the cave into the lagoon

I am pretty sure this is the place they film Avatar. :p

All of us. ^^

On the 2nd day, we went to Tam Coc. We chose the biking trip there, guess it's a bad decision though because the cycling is nothing special except it gives you chance to burn more calories. Anyway, we cycled for about an hour to reach the "jetty" where we will then hop on the boat for the boat trip; or rather sampan trip. As you were rowed down the river, you will see a lot of wonderful limestone mountains. And due to the boat/sampan is all rowed by man without motor, you can really feels the serene surrounding and real fresh air throughout the 2 hours trip. (Yes, 2 hours on the river!!!). I like Tam Coc much more than the ever famous Halong Bay. :)

Let's go cycling

Row down the Tam Coc's river :)

serene

Alright, that's all for my Vietnam's 7 days travelogue. Quite a cincai ending though, coz the "umph" is not that strong after a week back from my holiday, btw, I am still with my post-holiday syndrom now, a bit of jet lag perhaps... lol.. Wanna plan for my next holiday dy. ^^

Hanoi, Vietnam

Throughout the 7 days of our Vietnam trip, we spent about 3 days in Hanoi. Honestly I don't like Hanoi. The traffic is crazy, the air is so polluted, and I felt very tensed up due to the noise everywhere. However, I seriously fall in love with their coffee; the dark roasted coffee dripping slowly from the metal filter into the cup containing condensed milk then pour in ice are just a perfect combination. I had my cuppa almost everyday in Hanoi!! :) .Needless to mention the ever famous beef noodle, love it to the max.

The beef noodle and the Vietnam traditional iced coffee

Waiting patiently for the coffee dripping

Hanoi street

The crazy traffic

Coincidently, it's the 1000th anniversary of Hanoi when we were there. The streets were blocked for the nightly celebration and it was soooooooooooo crowded with people. OMG! I almost stop breathing. Nevertheless, it's fun to see so many peoples celebrating on the street together and good to experience their local culture by walking and exploring the streets. You can see they are greatly influenced by France culture where you can spot lots of French restaurant and also some French speaking tour guides; and that's how I'm able to bought my best thing in Hanoi - the painting of le petite prince! :D:D:D:D...

Super happy!!!!!

Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is in the southwest of Vietnam and close to the China border. We board a night train for 8 hours from Hanoi to Lao Chai on the first day we touched down Vietnam; followed by another 3 hours "thrilling" ride up to the Sapa mountain with a mini bus. Yes, it's very tiring; but trust me, the wonderful scenary worth all the hassle we've been through.

The train we board on

It's quite a decent train. Clean, and air-conditioned

On the first day we were in Sapa, we went to the famous weekend market - Bac Ha. It's a very special experience where you can see many people from the hill tribes wearing their colourful traditional costume trading almost everything in the market - handicraft, clothes, food and even snake!

for sale.

The next day, we started our trekking trip in the morning. It was a 2 days adventure. The first day was a holy 15 km trekking into the village; spend the night at the traditional homestay, then continue the trekking the next morning till afternoon. The view along the trail is breathtaking, there are the picturesque paddy terrace in sight, and the beautiful waterfall too.

second from left - our tour guide, Lan

Finally the village is in sight after 8 hours of trekking.

We spent a night at the rural village for a homestay. I like the homestay very much, the house owner made us a delicious dinner which undeniable the best meal we had in Vietnam, and the surrounding are so serene where you just don't feel tired anymore despite the 8 hours trekking.

The ever wonderful homestay

Serene kempung feel

The house owner made us delicious dinner with the old-schooled chimney

then we had dinner together. With beer. :D

then, nighty night~ :)

After a good night sleep in the nice chilling weather. We started our trekking again. The tour guide made us lunch at a hut along the trail; after the lunch, we continue our journey to the bus station to take us back to our hotel. Then we had shower and dinner then another bumpy road journey back to the Lao Cai train station and head back to Hanoi. :D

Bye bye Sapa~