How do you prefer to travel? By
plane? Bus? Train? Planes are nice because they get you from point A to point B
incredibly fast, but on the other hand, trains and busses allow you to look out
the window and see the countryside roll by. Five years ago I flew from Hue to
Hanoi, Vietnam, however today I am about to get on a 12 hour night-train from
Hanoi to Hue. I will be able to solve once and for all which I prefer. I am
looking forward to the gentle rock of the train, and waking up blurry-eyed
occasionally to look out and watch the night-shrouded countryside flow by.
After arriving in Vietnam I hopped
straight onto the night-train up to Sapa. The steady creaking of the cabins,
and the rock of the train might normally lull one to sleep, however the fact
that 4 group-mates shared each cabin turned the ride into a wild affair,
reminiscent of what you might expect a 9th Grader’s sleep-over to
look like.. Sapa, however, was a spectacular journey through terraced
mountains, verdant valleys, and rivers dotted with swimming children (often
with not a stitch of clothing).
Sapa has grown quite a bit since I
last visited, and soon a highway will be built connecting Hanoi to Sapa,
opening up even more tourism. Already Sapa is becoming crowded with hotels, not
to mention countless stores selling tourist trinkets and knock-off The North
Face backpacks. Nonetheless, Sapa views are breathtaking, and the two-day trek
through the countryside and surrounding villages provided great perspective on
the lives of ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam. This time of year, all the
fields are unplanted, leaving the people to make money through other means,
which I am sure include getting tourists to buy their wares, bringing tourists
on treks, and also dying textiles with indigo. The village women dye all their
own clothes (in the more rural villages) and you seldom see a woman who does
not have her hands slightly purple from the process.
After Sapa, we hopped back down to
Hanoi, and then over to Halong Bay for a 2 day boat trip. The ship meandered
its way through pillars and cliffs of rock that dot the Bay, with stops for
kayaking and cave exploration. There are numerous floating villages in the bay
as well, so at every major stop in Halong Bay, the ship was rapidly surrounded
by boats filled with drinks and snacks, which village women excitedly tried to
sell. Often we found them to be overzealous in their attempts, and some of the
members of my trip took to hiding behind the walls of the ship whenever the
boats approached.
This trip has been incredible thus
far, however it certainly contains much less service work than I expected. The
service opportunities are coming up during our period in Cambodia. Nonetheless,
the trip has abounded in opportunities to engage in the local culture, and
there are many free days, allowing me to structure my own schedule
independently. It has been great and somewhat strange to visit the same places
I traveled to with my family 5 years ago, and I have also taken the occasion to
snap some before and after shots of myself in the exact same spots (including one
of me hanging upside-down from the same tree in Hanoi). These pictures may, or
may not, be posted.. Anyway, I have a train-ride awaiting! On to the Forbidden
City in Hue, and then to the beautiful town of Hoi An. Till next time!
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Will, looking majestic.. |
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Lunch in Luang Prabang, overlooking the river |
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My mode of Transport, (looking mean on a flower-design bike..) |
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Sunset over the Mekong River |
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View from my balcony of the sunrise and clouds filling the Valley below in Sapa, Vietnam. |
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Terraced mountains and rice fields in Sapa |
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The ship parked in Halong Bay |
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Budding Nat Geo photographer (my trip guide Kevin) taking a photo of a gorgeous Arab lady (Brendon) |
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Vista over Halong Bay! |
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I didn't take a picture of the boat ladies on this trip, however here is a picture from 5 years depicting the same scene! |
Ahh, the source of the smelly backpack!??! Dag, your photos are fantastic, thanks for sharing them!!
ReplyDeleteBy plane, bus, night train... ALL GOOD! I can see, feel and smell the adventure thanks to your descriptive stories. You are able to see the area through eyes that are 5 yrs older, and that must be interesting for you. Same places, new perspective! Oh,... That picture of you buying the beautiful shell-with-the-smell... Haha that experience "stuck" with you! Enjoy your last day in Vietnam, and safe travels to Cambodia, Dear! We miss you and love you! Ox Mol
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Cis! I'd never have thought a shell could produce such a horrible smell.. And thanks! Love you too mom, xo
ReplyDelete