Moment in Hanoi before honestly

We are heading out this morning for an overnight 'homestay' in a village tonight. And we'll be biking on paths rather than roads.

There won't be wifi, so I'll send a street scene from Hanoi yesterday. A bit like Paris with motorbikes. . .



Happy New Year!



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Happy New Year !

After a morning in Hue, we caught a flight to Hanoi, and spent late afternoon wandering the streets of the old city. Hanoi is a fascinating city which I can't wait to explore further . . . .

Later in the evening, we had a brief celebration in the hotel bar. Happy New Year and Hogmanay!



Harriet and Allison ring in the new year!
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Citadel and Royal Palace in Hue

Today we started the day in the imperial city of Hue (1802 - 1945). It is one of the main cultural, religious, and educational centers in Vietnam.
The imperial citadel was modeled after Beijing's 'Forbidden City', though the central imperial quarters have not survived.
The golden dragon represents the imperial stamp. It stands before the entrance to the central quarters.




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Pass of the Ocean Clouds

Rode north from Danang towards the historic city of Hue. Passed over the Hai Van mountain pass, which gained 1500 feet of elevation over six miles.

It was foggy, rainy, and cold towards the top. Rain was so heavy and visibility so bad at the top that we took the bus down, and shortened our cycling day.




Harriet passing one of the first milestones on the pass.


Warning sign.



View of the road towards the top.



Getting on the bus at the top of the pass.

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Mi son day trip

Billed as the Angkor Wot of Vietnam, Mi Son was the sacred center of the Cham people ( see Cham Tower entry a few days ago).
It was excavated in the 1890's, and was also heavily bombed by the US.



View from afar



Warning sign


Am glad that we were able to see the well- preserved and used Cham Tower a few days ago.

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Arrival in ancient city of Hoi An

Hoi An was a silk trading center in the seventeenth century, until the late nineteenth century whe the waterways became too silted.

Now, charming town center caters to tourists. A beautiful scene.


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North of Quang Ngai

Visited the memorial to the My Lai Massacre, then biked parallel to the shore for a few miles.

Came to a harbor with ocean-going ships. Very quiet.



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Rice and misty hills

Biked along the coast through very small farming villages.
Though we have seen lots of rice fields every day, these seemed endless, with misty hills in distance.



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Cattle and countryside

Biked next to the railway towards the coastal town of Quy Nhon. Terrain was mostly flat, surrounded by steep, rolling hills. Cattle scattered in clumps.



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Whale Island Resort

This is a photo of Allison on the boat ride to the compulsory tropical island Eco resort. Solar water heater, mosquito netting, and lots of hiking and boating options. It was wonderful.

We enjoyed our brisk, strenuous hike for three hours, then had drinks on the veranda.



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Cham Towers

Before leaving the city of Nha Trang, we visited a temple that was built in the thirteenth century by the Cham people. They were from India, and settled in parts of Vietnam.
The complex of brick towers were excavated in 1938, and the Hindi temple is used and maintained by descendants of the Chum.



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Christmas Pagent

We were told we'd be having 'Christmas Dinner' at the hotel tonight. 7:00.
Wondering what to expect, we entered the dining room between two rows of masked Santa teens, and found a fully decorated banquet hall sporting a brightly lit stage, carols blaring.
After we started eating our Russian-themed dinner, the entertainment began, with rows of Santas, angels with candles, and a dance show. There was a Christmas trivia contest, more dancing, and finally a band and desert buffet.
An over-the-top Christmas celebration like I've never seen!
'A Merry Christmas to All!'


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Hon Giao Pass

We biked away from Dalat through pine forests, coffee plantations, and greenhouses.
We climbed progressively higher hills up to Hon Giao Pass at 5,570
feet. It was foggy and quite cold.




From the top, we flew down for 20 spectacularly beautiful vistas - but we were moving too fast to take photos.
We're now at a seaside hotel in the city of Nha Trang. Relaxing after what will be the longest biking day-60 miles!

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Start of cycling

After arrival in Dalat, sixteen of us started out on our tour of the central highlands region of Vietnam.
Harriet, Laura, David, and Allison are ready to hit the road!



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Da Lat

Caught a plane early this morning and after thirty minute flight landed in Dalat. It is in the hills - the beginning of the central highlands.

Biked for a hilly twenty miles. Warmed up my legs, and reassured myself that motorbike traffic and roundabouts/traffic circles will both be manageable.

Photo provides a bird's eye view of Dalat. The city was built by the French at the turn of the 20th century as a place to escape the heat of the lowlands.


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Day trip to visit Cu Chi tunnels

We visited a historical monument which highlights tunnels built by viet cong to evade and frustrate US and South Vietnamese troops.

The photo shows an example of a booby trap lined with bamboo spikes which was on display.



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Saigon: Beaux Arts vs Modern

Relaxed day in Ho Chi Minh City- lingered over breakfast, then walked around neighborhood near hotel. This is the French-era post office, with new building in background.



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Arrival at midnight in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon City

Midnight arrival to airport after nineteen hours of air travel. Exhausted, and can't wait to get to hotel.
Will have a rest day in HCMC, meet rest of tour group tomorrow.



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Japanese newspaper and attitude

Still in Minneapolis - but the airline attendants provided us with a Japanese newspaper.



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Departure day- Minneapolis

Waiting for our flight from Minneapolis to Narita, Japan. Long day ahead.




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Preparing to go: packing

We're heading off to Vietnam in two days. Flying to Naruda, then on to Ho Chi Min City. Have packed once, and repacked again tonight. I found the neck pillow: I'm tired already!