Deutsch
Vietnam/Diện Biên Phủ Round the world trip 2008
4-13
Ha Long Bay. Another UNESCO site of karsts formations spiking out of the quiet waters of the South China Sea: hundreds of these islands. We cruise about in a luxury junk with air conditioning, private bath staterooms complete with crisp white linens on downy bedding. This is truly a treat to join fifteen other guests on this trip for a day and night on the junk and then a day and night on Cat Ba Island. We were escorted through a cave every bit as interesting as Carlsbad Caverns, lit dramatically and paved with safety in mind for the many visitors who tread through this place everyday. Art stated that this site is probably the best developed tourist area we have seen in Asia. A little over the top, but delightful just the same.
Our bike ride to get into Bai Chay to meet the tour group took us up Rt 18. Soon after we turn east Judee called out about some trucks behind us. Much to our surprise one was a street cleaner which drenched our bottom half, leaving us dripping and with wet panniers. Further the water turned the coal dust distributed over the roadside to a rich black slurry, soon coating the packs as well as our legs. Eighty percent of Vietnam’s coal is produced in the area turning the surrounding towns into black shadow environments. All traffic is well covered also. We were very glad we have been wearing our face masks to cover our mouths and noses – the air quality is shocking. Soon on the horizon off to our right out over the rice fields, karsts mountains began to appear: dark bumps at first growing into impressive peaks thrusting out of the bay. This entire vista slightly shrouded by haze and mist - a very haunting sight indeed.
We rolled \into Ha Long City: really two towns across the bay from each other – Bai Chay and Hong Gai. We stayed in the former in a nice new hotel with eight stores served by elevator for $15 including a/c cable and slight view of the bay. The tourist harbor just 3 km from our hotel was a sight to behold: absolutely jammed with Junks of all sizes busily being tended by vendors in paddle boats and launches. This loading and unloading of hundreds of boats is organized mayhem. Buses, vans, motos, jamming the parking lot spills out onto the highway blocking all lanes, horns blaring and people bailing out and running in groups to catch their boat. This all takes place very morning from about 11am to 1pm by which time the harbor parking lot and streets are practically empty.
Did we enjoy ourselves and the trip? A definite yes! Scenery was outstanding, company of our fellow passengers enlightening with good exchange of travel experiences. On the down side there are too many cruise boats, the water is filled with trash and effluent, and the food was mediocre with drink prices way too high.
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Vietnam/Sa Do Weltreise 2008
Ha Long Bay. Another UNESCO site of karsts formations spiking out of the quiet waters of the South China Sea: hundreds of these islands. We cruise about in a luxury junk with air conditioning, private bath staterooms complete with crisp white linens on downy bedding. This is truly a treat to join fifteen other guests on this trip for a day and night on the junk and then a day and night on Cat Ba Island. We were escorted through a cave every bit as interesting as Carlsbad Caverns, lit dramatically and paved with safety in mind for the many visitors who tread through this place everyday. Art stated that this site is probably the best developed tourist area we have seen in Asia. A little over the top, but delightful just the same.
Our bike ride to get into Bai Chay to meet the tour group took us up Rt 18. Soon after we turn east Judee called out about some trucks behind us. Much to our surprise one was a street cleaner which drenched our bottom half, leaving us dripping and with wet panniers. Further the water turned the coal dust distributed over the roadside to a rich black slurry, soon coating the packs as well as our legs. Eighty percent of Vietnam’s coal is produced in the area turning the surrounding towns into black shadow environments. All traffic is well covered also. We were very glad we have been wearing our face masks to cover our mouths and noses – the air quality is shocking. Soon on the horizon off to our right out over the rice fields, karsts mountains began to appear: dark bumps at first growing into impressive peaks thrusting out of the bay. This entire vista slightly shrouded by haze and mist - a very haunting sight indeed.
We rolled \into Ha Long City: really two towns across the bay from each other – Bai Chay and Hong Gai. We stayed in the former in a nice new hotel with eight stores served by elevator for $15 including a/c cable and slight view of the bay. The tourist harbor just 3 km from our hotel was a sight to behold: absolutely jammed with Junks of all sizes busily being tended by vendors in paddle boats and launches. This loading and unloading of hundreds of boats is organized mayhem. Buses, vans, motos, jamming the parking lot spills out onto the highway blocking all lanes, horns blaring and people bailing out and running in groups to catch their boat. This all takes place very morning from about 11am to 1pm by which time the harbor parking lot and streets are practically empty.
Did we enjoy ourselves and the trip? A definite yes! Scenery was outstanding, company of our fellow passengers enlightening with good exchange of travel experiences. On the down side there are too many cruise boats, the water is filled with trash and effluent, and the food was mediocre with drink prices way too high.
