After a spectacular sunrise on Ha Long Bay, it’s time to head back towards Hanoi. We’ll drive parallel to Vietnam’s Bạch Đằng river, the scene of something that has rarely happened in history – the rout of an invading Mongol army. Continue reading “Invading Mongol Hordes! Yikes!”
Category: Far East
Waking Up on Ha Long Bay
We made it! We’re finally cruising on Ha Long Bay. No doubt about it, this place is amazing. We’ll cruise around the bay this afternoon and spend the night on the boat. I’m looking forward to waking up on Ha Long Bay. Continue reading “Waking Up on Ha Long Bay”
Woo-Woo’s Dark Side
While visiting Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, I was involved in an eerie woo-woo experience. The spirit world is alive and well in Vietnam. It can be comforting and positive. But not all spirits are comforting or positive. One could say they’re part of woo-woo’s dark side. Continue reading “Woo-Woo’s Dark Side”
Woo-Woo is Alive in the Far East
I recently had a woo-woo experience that I won’t soon forget. We were at a pearl factory showroom at Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. Based on that experience, there’s no doubt in my mind – woo-woo is alive in the Far East. Continue reading “Woo-Woo is Alive in the Far East”
Close Encounter of the Woo-Woo Kind
Before boarding a boat on Ha Long Bay, we stopped at a pearl factory – the ideal place to buy pearls, eh? Travel books advise tourists to bargain when in Vietnam, but when I tried to bargain at the pearl factory, I had a close encounter of the woo-woo kind. Continue reading “Close Encounter of the Woo-Woo Kind”
From Noodles to Oodles
If you drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay you may see, rising up from an otherwise rural setting, a gleaming, modern city complete with parks, lakes, and luxury accommodations. It’s creator is a guy who started by selling instant noodles. Now he’s the richest man in Vietnam. You might say he went from noodles to oodles. Continue reading “From Noodles to Oodles”
Do You Know the Way to Ha Long Bay?
I think that’s how the song goes. Or is it, “Do you know the way to San Jose?” Either way, today we’re leaving Hanoi and heading east. Hopefully our driver knows the way to Ha Long Bay. Let’s go! Continue reading “Do You Know the Way to Ha Long Bay?”
Quiet Time at Hoàn Kiếm Lake
It’s Friday night in Hanoi. We’ve just finished a foodie tour, where we made our way from one stop to another in Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. A leisurely walk back to the hotel will take us by Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It’s time to walk off some bún chả! Continue reading “Quiet Time at Hoàn Kiếm Lake”
Egg Coffee?
The last stop on our Hanoi foodie tour will be at a coffee shop that specializes in egg coffee. I like eggs and I like coffee, but I don’t know if I want my eggs in my coffee. There’s only one way to find out. Continue reading “Egg Coffee?”
Grilled Sausages, Vietnamese Style
We’re deep in the bowels of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and we’re deep into our foodie tour. Hunger is now a thing of the distant past. After stuffing ourselves with Bún Chă at the last stop, no one can eat another bite. But we must. Who’s not going to try grilled sausages, Vietnamese style? Continue reading “Grilled Sausages, Vietnamese Style”
