Somewhere between Hanoi and Hue…

So, I’m not that old, but it’s amazing how the technology side of travel has changed. I remember standing in random phone booths in Europe to be able to check in with home. Now, I’m lying on an overnight train from Hanoi to Hue updating a blog.

Despite the uncooperative weather, cold and rainy, Halong Bay was still beautiful and well worth the three hour drive from Hanoi. The stunning islands are apparently the result of selective erosion or dragons, depending on who you choose to believe; obviously the rational person will believe dragons.

The Junk Boat on which we spent the night was anything but junky. Our room, yes we had a private room, came with a double bed and private bathroom including a shower with hot water. The food on the boat, primarily seafood, was plentiful to say the least. For the vegetarians among us, it came in the form of every vegetable or fruit on the boat deep fried. normally I lose weight when we travel…that doesn’t look likely this time.

Halong Bay – squid fishing in a UNESCO site

Squid fishing is easier than you would think, after bobbing a lure up and down for 20 minutes or so we had an excited squid trying to ink on our guide.

We also had a chance to get out on kayaks with Mr. Ha in the morning before heading back to port. Our early morning start time paid off when we found ourselves alone in the lagoon.

Halong Bay picture of Mr. Ha leading the way.

Overnight trains – not for those over 6 ft.

So, the sleepers in the overnight train aren’t meant for the tall, but I can hardly complain. While we can at least stretch out a bit and are only on the train for 13 hours. Those in the “hard chair” carriage ahead of us have only wooden benches. To make it worse, many of them while be making the trip all the way down to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a trip that takes three days and two nights.