Having a Vietnamese coffee, with a vast Ha Long Bay view and music, is a pretty cool experience. It may be romantic for the couples, but not for me this time. I felt the true holiday in these two days.
We met many new friends yesterday and today. Though we only met for 48 hours, we felt we have met for few years. After lunch together, we went to different destination. Dutch guys went to Northern West Vietnam; the French guys went to Southern Vietnam. But, we went to Haipohong, where is 70KM far from Ha Long Bay.
In the evening, we met back en and Jason, who met at Mong Cai. Then, We three went drinking at the beach.
Maybe, we can have a breakfast tomorrow
Dinner: 30.000VED
Beer: 12.000VED
Coffee: USD3
Sweeten Milk: 10.000VED
Post Card: USD1
Soda at lunch time: 15.000VED
Gifts: USD1
We got invited to join the boat trip for 24 hours by hotel this morning. We supposed went sightseeing at Halong Bay. But, the natural views attracted us to see. Then, they offer us a a reasonable price , USD60, for two day-one night trip. Then, the hotel manager bring us to the terminal.
Later, we spent two hours on boat to first attraction. On the boat, Joe and Lyle sat together. But, I sat alone. Then, I met new friends. They are from France and New Zealand. Perhaps, it is a true adventure, because we all don’t know the future, and make new friends all the time.
Let me talk about what do we have it!
It includes a simple lunch with our new friends about an hour
Then, we have free time, about an hour, on the boat. We went on the roof to see the spectacular view.
After 45minutes, we visited our first attraction on small Island. The package includes the entry ticket. We visited the cave, with the tour guide. He would tell you the story about the cave.
After the cave visit, we went back on boat to Cat Ba Island. This is a nice place for couples , family and friends. There are plenty of pub and clubs. The beer costs 15,000 to 20,000 VED ( USD1). You can ask for discount. Talking back my experience, we would be sent to different hotel by a pick-up van. Because we paid only USD60, so we were on the guesthouse, but we can still have a sea view at our room.
At night, we went to pub to celebrate the Chrismas. Because Joe and Lyle dont drink, they left earlier. I stayed there with new friends till late.
Because from Mong Cai to Ha Long, the road was under construction, off-road, we cannot ride because of our bikes setting. Our bikes are not strong enough to conquer this long distance off-road. Then, we arrived the Bus Terminal to find a bus. Because we had bicycles, not all companies were welcome.In Vietnam, the bus is running by the driver mostly, which means, the driver is the boss; they own their own bus.It costs 400,000VED (EUD 12)After negotiated the price, we found the mini-van. Our bikes put at the back seats. Since we took the van, we gotta say goodbye to Jason and Benjamen. They took the ferry to Halong then. We were not sue can we meet together.
We eventually arrived Halong City at 7pm. When we left, there were many passengers say goodbye to us.
We spent 15min to reload the panniers and stuffs. Then, we headed to Bai Chay. Halong has two parts. One is downtown; Bai Chay is tourist area. Then, we arrived the bridge. When we were crossing the bridge, we met a chef. He pointed us which way we should go. Once you looks like tourist, you would attract many motorcyclist sales.
Then, we found the Hotel. We stayed at a three-beds room It costs USD 12 per night.
Thanks to Menh, my relative in Malaysia. He help us to arrange the hospitality in Mong Cai. Yesterday, I got the phone number.
We started to ride at 11am. We arrived border. We were noticed to pay RMB 10 for crossing the border! It is ridiculous. Then, we wanted to take the elevator, but failed. Then, we had to carry our heavy bikes When we reached China immigration, we got stuck! The Chinese immigration asked us why we use UK passport, not Hong Kong, Chinese Passport. We spent 5-10min to explain. Then, we were stopped by the Chinese Custom. They requested us for unloading panniers. “Okay , fine!” I think. But, they didn’t check our language after unloaded. We spent around 45minutes for crossing border.
Later, we arrived Vietnam border. Just a river, all the culture and things are different. We only see the alphabets, instead of Chinese. But, the Viet immigration officers don’t speak English. Maybe, less English speakers would cross it. And, no custom checked our stuffs!
Entered to Mong Cai. The first thing is to get a sim card and foreign exchange(SIM THÉ, in Viet). We looked around the town. Suddenly, it’s raining. Then, we found a finical institute. We moved inside. I tried to contact with them. But the worse is: they can’t speak English, and I don’t speak Vietnamese. Suddenly, there was a young beautiful lady, white shirt, to ask us” What may I help you?” ” We got lost.” I said. I showed a number to her. Then, she’s nice to help us call my relative. Then, she allowed us to stay in the insinuate. Then, I exchanged currency with her privately.She is nice to offer a cheap rate for me. We stayed at the bank for 30minutes. Then, my uncle came. We rode to home with just 15 minutes.
We stayed at elegant four stories house. It is still under construction, but it will be finish in two months. After tasting the noodles breakfast, we went to visit the market. Inside the market, over 90% stocks are imported from China.
We originally want to go today. But, the road from Mong Cai to Ha Long is under construction; my uncle doesn’t recommend us to ride because there is 180KM off-road. We may probably take ferry to go.
Maybe, I still one more day should be great, because I met two adventurers, Jason and Ben, on the street. I invited them to visit our house. Then, we chatted and drank tea with my relatives. My uncle asked to learn French from Ben.
Jason is Irish-Canadian; Ben is French. We both have same heading, so we plan to go together.
At night, we went to local café to access the Internet.
View Mong Cai in a larger map
We departed at 9am. We pedaled between villages. We crossed so many rural villages. All buildings are not made by concrete. They all were made by wood and straws. Whenever we saw the kids, they would say hello to us. We like superstars in Vietnam!
Taking about the route, these 70KM are uphill roads. They almost killed us! Yet, it is a golden chance for us to train our patient in fixing problem. Still, the uphill made us see the different perspective of Vietnam. We climbed for high attitude that we see the whole farms.
Fortunately, we went to here at winter time, otherwise, we will get After tea time at a local government building, probably agriculture department, we went downhill time! There are many steep turns while going down. It was great chance for us to relax and enjoy the fast! But, sometimes, we couldn’t always be positive. Joe‘s bike tube got broken. We spent an hour to fix it. When we stopped the bike, all people stood around us.
They were nice to help us. Because of lack of replacement tube and patch, I took the motorcycle to buy the tube with a local Xe May, motorcycle, shop owner. Thanks for his fast driving in mountain area, we eventually fixed the problem. The owner had a nice driving techniques as if a racer. When I was back, we stayed at a local farm hut as I requested. This family provided what they have to us. They cooked for us and showed their weapon to us. We are glad to experience home stay in Vietnam.
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Remark: I do not recommend tourist to give money to who help you. It sounds we need, but the local would take it for granted. Then, next time people asked for help, they may help only if they paid!
