The morning agenda planned by the tour company is 0630 of tai chi with the sunrise. I was out of my room with no intention of tai chi-ing. Instead, I wanted to take photos. There was no sunrise to speak of.
Still, I enjoyed the quietness of the place and heard the birds awaken and start singing, I noticed the tai chi leader nodding off in her chair as she waited for no one to appear.
At 0700, it was breakfast, then 0800 it was kayaking. I decided to do that, but wasn’t allowed my camera or anything electronic, so my paddling near the rock is undocumented.
Apparently, those on a 3 day tour get to go to this remote place where you have to paddle through rock and then emerge in the centre surrounded by the limestone cliffs. That passageway is the only way in and out of the place. It sounded really nice. The guide said I can visit again. I don’t think so. With the rate of development and what seems to be a lack of control of the number of boats, I think Halong Bay will soon become too developed to be really enjoyed.
Then there was a spring roll cooking demonstration and you got your chance to get to wrap some which would be served for lunch. We were instructed to make small ones, but I decided to make large ones. The instructor – I believe the cook – frowned and said, “not cook”, to which I answered, “cook longer, yes”. She was not happy with this disobedient student. I noticed that my large spring rolls were not served.
The sun came out for a bit, and I actually saw blue sky, but not for long. Still the heat was there.
We got back to land and I took a taxi to the bus station instead of following the bus back to Hanoi. 138,000VND for the ride. I bought a ticket just as the bus was moving off, and they held back for me. The ticket to Ninh Binh cost 170,000 VND and it’s usually 100,000. Probably because it’s still the new year period.
The bus conductor kept picking up more passengers along the way. Then he tried to get me to give him 100,000VND more. Then the woman next to me using sign language told me to give him zero. Then later she turned around as asked me for 2 – USD or 2000VND, I’m not sure. I pretended not to know.
Got to Ninh Binh (pronounced Ning Bing) at 1630 – took us 4 hours. About the same length from Halong City to Hanoi. The guy from the hotel just showed up to collect me and I sat on his scooter. He had my luggage in front of him.
Tomorrow, this will be the way I explore the outskirts of Ninh Binh. The town itself doesn’t have much to offer. A lot of karaoke, it seems.
Today in Ninh Binh, I had a Bahn Mi 10,000VND and their version of goreng pisang 5,000VND for 4 pieces. I gave 2 of those to the hotel worker’s kid.
Yes, I was really trying to take their photo. The vendor also offered me water after my roadside snack. And, a very fine bamboo toothpick, that doesn’t splinter! And of course everywhere I go there are napkins, no matter how shabby the stall. Same thing in Malaysia. Singapore?
hahaha you disobedient spring roller! They were probably offended by the large spring rolls. hahahahaha