From 10/26 (quick post, grammar edits will be made don't worry)
Our train arrived at 4:45 into Hanoi this morning and we waited for our 6am train to Ninh Binh. I don't sleep much on the train. I'm bummed because I can sleep I cars and on planes sitting up, but I struggle to get good sleep laying down with a pillow and blanket in a train.
We were put in hard seats, instead if soft seats, which was whatever or the short ride, but why? No AC and the seats hurt the booty. Luckily it was a 2 hour train and not an overnight.
We arrived in Ninh Binh at 8:30 and found a great hotel right across the street. This is the first time we've just shown up and asked if we could store our stuff at their place for the day but they said yes! Super convenient and perfect that it was stored in a hidden room, not a room labeled "bag room" that's left unlocked and un-monitored (our Hanoi hostel).
We were also able to get breakfast and a moped at the place. Literally everything we wanted across the street from the train station. After breakfast we hopped on the moped and headed out. We mapped out the things we wanted to see beforehand so it was really easy to get going right away.
Ninh Binh is not known for what's in the actual city, but what you can find outside the city. We first drove out to a couple pagodas that were in out to do list. The buildings themselves weren't anything special, but the landscape is unbelievable.
(Example of how the landscape goes from flat to limestone rocks capes)
It's all limestone chunks of rock. I wish I knew more about how they became what they are today, but I just know they look awesome.
(Example of the landscape from the road)
We found ourselves a good hike up 458 steps to the top of this pagoda. The steps definitely aren't within code, but it's kind of an "at your own risk" kind of country anyways.
(The steps)
(Al starting the climb)
The views from the top were phenomenal as expected. It's always worth the workout and the sweat when you get to see the views.
(Facing Ninh Binh, it's a little to the right of this picture)
Our train arrived at 4:45 into Hanoi this morning and we waited for our 6am train to Ninh Binh. I don't sleep much on the train. I'm bummed because I can sleep I cars and on planes sitting up, but I struggle to get good sleep laying down with a pillow and blanket in a train.
We were put in hard seats, instead if soft seats, which was whatever or the short ride, but why? No AC and the seats hurt the booty. Luckily it was a 2 hour train and not an overnight.
We arrived in Ninh Binh at 8:30 and found a great hotel right across the street. This is the first time we've just shown up and asked if we could store our stuff at their place for the day but they said yes! Super convenient and perfect that it was stored in a hidden room, not a room labeled "bag room" that's left unlocked and un-monitored (our Hanoi hostel).
We were also able to get breakfast and a moped at the place. Literally everything we wanted across the street from the train station. After breakfast we hopped on the moped and headed out. We mapped out the things we wanted to see beforehand so it was really easy to get going right away.
Ninh Binh is not known for what's in the actual city, but what you can find outside the city. We first drove out to a couple pagodas that were in out to do list. The buildings themselves weren't anything special, but the landscape is unbelievable.
It's all limestone chunks of rock. I wish I knew more about how they became what they are today, but I just know they look awesome.
We found ourselves a good hike up 458 steps to the top of this pagoda. The steps definitely aren't within code, but it's kind of an "at your own risk" kind of country anyways.
The views from the top were phenomenal as expected. It's always worth the workout and the sweat when you get to see the views.
On the way down we actually counted the steps, which is why we know and it's not just one of my exaggerations. After the stair stepper we got back on the bike and headed back into town for lunch. We missed all the good Banh My in Hanoi so we were craving some sandwich love so we found the first spot we could (it was already passed noon).
The Banh My was really good, an bread was delish, but there wasn't a ton of stuff in the sandwich. This just means that we have to go to anther Banh My place in another city. I have no problem trying sandwiches everywhere.
Since we had such a limited time here we quick headed off to the next destination called Trang An. We really weren't sure what to do in all the destinations because we didn't have much time to plan for these one day destinations.
When we got there though we decided to go on a 2-3 hour boat cruise trough the limestone rocks. We figured it would be a much better way to experience the wilderness than on a motorbike.
Little did we know, since we can't read anything, that we were going into caves. Small caves. The first cave was 350 meters long and, thank god, was the longest of all of them. 350 meters doesn't sound long, but when the cave closes in on you and you aren't really sure what's going in it gets a bit scary.
Thankfully we both made it through alive but drenched in sweat. Well that was the first of probably eight caves! They got easier and easier, and by the end we were extremely happy we decided to do the boat ride. The lighting was average for pictures, but it was an unbelievable experience!
We met some cool people that I think were local Vietnamese. They could communicate with the boat guides and not with us. We had a lot of fun with them despite not being able to speak the same language. When I say that I mean zero English besides yes and no, and I don't know any Vietnamese.
The ride went for about three hours and it started getting dark so when we landed on shore (thank god) we rode right back into town. We were going to explore a bit but we ended up going right to the hotel before it really got dark.
We returned the motor bike, ate some dinner, and they even let us shower; so necessary after hiking up all those stairs.
We are so glad we went to Ninh Binh instead of Ha Long Bay. It sounds like the geographic formations are the same, but Ninh Binh is less touristy and on the way to our next destination. We're waiting for our overnight train again that leaves at 10:20 this evening and gets into Hue tomorrow at 9:30am. Luckily we aren't waking up at such a crazy time, so I hope to get some decent sleep tonight.
A very unexpected busy day today, hopefully tomorrow will be a pleasant surprise as well!
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."
- Robert Louis Stevenson
Nice shades
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