Dear you all,
Since I came to the north about a week and a half ago I’ve got to see, no less than, three natural wonders. And no, I still haven’t had enough of them. Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa, one by one, here I go: Halong bay is stunning, utterly and ultimately stunning!
It is really just a long stretch of limestone pillars hapharzardly tucked into the sea, but every single sight from the boat was breathtaking. What can I say, there’s a reason why it figures on the UNESCO world heritage site list. Sadly, pictures never justify the view, now do they?
Ninh Binh was like Halong Bay inland. I loved paddling through the intensly dark caves, trying a bit too hard to remember the difference between stalagmites and stalactites. I was disappointed though, yet again, by the huge amount of pollution. Also it couldn’t possibly have been any more touristy with your boatwoman asking for a larger tip and vendors waiting in their boats after the third cave ready to sell you drinks, snacks, embroidery and so on. I am sure that Halong Bay attracts a lot more tourists, but as it is extensive and everyone discovers it by boat, it doesn’t feel that crowded at all. I mean I could swim at night to an island nearby the boat without being seen by anyone (or so I think)!
Now Sapa, the northern highlands, is where I find myself at present. It is known for the ethnic minority’s that inhabit the land and, of course, for it’s mountainous scenery. I would have preferred to come here in the summer and catch sight of the virginal green rice paddies, but wintery Sapa is worth seeing as well. The trekking was great, the homestay comfortable and in appearence authentic enough, plus the people in traditional clothing are a pretty (though fake) sight.
I’m sorry, I find it really hard to concentrate with a football game in the background. Some ‘important’ game between Thailand and Vietnam. Asians might not be very talented when it comes to football, they sure do love watching it and talking about it. ‘Ah you’re from Holland?! Van der Sar, Nistelrooy, blablabla.’ And then you just nod politely pretending you’ve never heard that recital before.
In case you want to know where I’m heading next. My bus to Dien Bien Phu (you know where the French won the war) will leave early tomorrow morning. And from there I hope to cross the border to Laos as soon as possible. I count on a whole lot of fuss, so that it can only turn out better than expected.
Much love,
lot
By: Traveler Lotschurin