We woke up at 5:45, had breakfast and was out to the bus by 8:00.
I'm really missing pho for breakfast because I really got to love it!
Our first stop was Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
He was a communist revolutionary leader who was prime minister from 1945-1955 and president from 1955-1969.
Although seen as an enemy of the U.S. during the Vietnam war, he is highly regarded here.
We had to very quietly and respectfully walk past his preserved body in the mausoleum where no photography was allowed.
Children soon followed in busloads after us.
The congestion in all the Vietnamese city streets were mind boggling.
We passed rows of shops with family apartments on top.
We went to a craft shop rest stop where we couldn't resist buying these bamboo balancing dragonflies that could balance on the tip of your finger.
On to Three Cave Grottos (Ninh Binh-Tam Coc)!
Hoa told us that this is the land version of Halong Bay's islands.
Unfortunately, it was once again drizzly and overcast.
Our friends, Mike and Julia didn't let the rain dampen their travel joy.
It was fun to go through the three caves.
If you look closely, you'll see that the boatsman was rowing with his feet. It was HARD work!
We thought this was a farmer working in the rice fields, but it was a scarecrow.
These ducks are not kept in the pens as pets.
We then returned to our hotel room, had a sumptuous dinner and went to sleep by 11:00.
POSTSCRIPT: Thank you very much for all your kind comments, everybody! It's your motivating energy that keeps me going. I'm working hard to get all the days recorded and then I'll need to get our travel book done. Only then can we put the trip to bed and get back to my regular routine.
I'm really missing pho for breakfast because I really got to love it!
Our first stop was Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
He was a communist revolutionary leader who was prime minister from 1945-1955 and president from 1955-1969.
Although seen as an enemy of the U.S. during the Vietnam war, he is highly regarded here.
We had to very quietly and respectfully walk past his preserved body in the mausoleum where no photography was allowed.
Children soon followed in busloads after us.
The congestion in all the Vietnamese city streets were mind boggling.
We passed rows of shops with family apartments on top.
We went to a craft shop rest stop where we couldn't resist buying these bamboo balancing dragonflies that could balance on the tip of your finger.
On to Three Cave Grottos (Ninh Binh-Tam Coc)!
Hoa told us that this is the land version of Halong Bay's islands.
Unfortunately, it was once again drizzly and overcast.
Our friends, Mike and Julia didn't let the rain dampen their travel joy.
It was fun to go through the three caves.
If you look closely, you'll see that the boatsman was rowing with his feet. It was HARD work!
We thought this was a farmer working in the rice fields, but it was a scarecrow.
These ducks are not kept in the pens as pets.
We then returned to our hotel room, had a sumptuous dinner and went to sleep by 11:00.
POSTSCRIPT: Thank you very much for all your kind comments, everybody! It's your motivating energy that keeps me going. I'm working hard to get all the days recorded and then I'll need to get our travel book done. Only then can we put the trip to bed and get back to my regular routine.
I think of all my travels, HCM City was my favorite, or near the top, anyway. I remember an evening when we left the city in a small van and I was amazed at all the rice paddies, oxen, and cars all mixed together. It didn't rain when I was there. The people are so friendly and helpful! :-)
ReplyDeleteWe have several Vietnamese restaurants in our area, one in particular where we enjoy pho. Your photos are wonderful Kay. It looks so beautiful even in mist and rain.
ReplyDeleteit is beautiful isn't it, the ducks are wild? The rain made it even more lovely to me, I hate the he, and the sun makes me blind, lol, what an amazing adventure, I'm looking up pho,
ReplyDeleteThe ducks are kept in pens for food sort of like chickens here are kept in coops. The ducks seemed so much prettier than chickens from a distance though.
DeleteIf only I could have seen into the future during my 1960s university days in America, those years of anti Vietnam War protests and boys' fear of the draft. Who could imagine back then that a future friend from Hawaii would go on a pleasure tour of Vietnam, to Ho Chi Minh City, to the fearless leader's mausoleum.
ReplyDeleteI understand just what you mean, Dina. Who knew how things would change? Mind you, Kay and Art are ready for anything. They could give travel lessons.
DeleteK
i would love to make this same trip! i would eat pho at every meal!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried vietnamese food but looks good...
ReplyDeleteHello Kay, are you feeling much better now? You looked so fresh and nice in the 2nd photo where you were eating pho despite waking up so early. Thank you for the photos. I felt like I was there in HCM City by just looking at them.
ReplyDeleteI am better, but still tired and there's so much to do!
DeleteI'm warping my mind, like Dina, resolving the entire strife and history of the Vietnam war around your pleasant views and visit. It really is beautiful, and I'd love to hang around the caves longer. The mist reminds me of Hobbit scenes. You both look like you're having a good time. Don't add stress just to entertain us; enjoy putting your scrapbook together. Long into the future, your grandchild may be able to read her history book, then look at your scrapbook, realizing people are generally good throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteDrumMajor
wow trip looks fantastic, thanks for sharing and looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, I SO enjoy reading about your latest trip... Looks awesome!!!! I would love that little boat ride...Bet since the boatsman was rowing with his feet, it was VERY hard work...
ReplyDeleteLove the ducks.... Neat!
Hugs,
Betsy
Aloha, Kay! Seeing Vietnam has been a wish of mine for some time now. Your photos are inspiring! I also love pho, and want to attempt it at home. Till then, there are several yummy pho options in Hilo. I'll bet Oahu has some some good ones too.
ReplyDeleteYou are the second blogger buddy that has just toured this area. It is so odd seeing and hearing about places that were so fearsome and violent during the war. It is so nice see the modern version. I am following your trip with open eyes and learning. Thank you. .
ReplyDeleteYou and Art take the cutest pictures.
I know you want to see EVERYTHING that you can, but you MUST remember to get plenty of rest and take care of yourself! You look like you are having a ball, your lovely smile says it all! xx
ReplyDeleteWe mainland Americans have such traditional foods for breakfast that it would seem strange to have noodle soup for breakfast. But it does sound warm and good.
ReplyDeleteWrapping up a trip can be a lot of work, plus the other demands of just being back home. Take care.
Thank you for understanding, Linda.
DeleteWhat cool places and shots, Kay. And I have to day you look really nice in these pics.
ReplyDeleteDomestic Hectics have kept me too busy recently! Glad to catch up with you today
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3
such a beautiful place. i too thought the scarecrow was a person working in the rice fields, lol... those caves look really interesting. i'm sure it was great fun. hope all is well. have a great night~
ReplyDeletenever would've guessed that was a scarecrow
ReplyDeleteNeither would I. Puts ours to shame.
DeleteJust checked online. We can try Pho in the city next door. Medicine Hat, Alberta, has become quite cosmopolitan. I can't quite convince my eldest nephew of that. He worked in The Hat in the 90s, in radio and TV broadcasting, but was disgusted with the all the white faces and their prejudice against any one different.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like that any more. We have people from everywhere. We can get fantastic Thai food, and we can get Pho. Medicine Hat has arrived.
Hi to Art and your mom.
Luv, K
You must try the pho, Kay. Yum!
DeleteKay and Art, your going to a friendly Ho Chi Minh City gives me hope for a different future for our Middle East too. Perhaps one or two generations down the line the kids will say in wonder, "What?? Grandma Dina was not allowed to go into Lebanon or Syria or parts of the Palestinian Authority? She was not brave enough to go to Jordan or Egypt?"
ReplyDeleteOh yes! That's exactly what we were thinking too. We also wondered what the war was all about. What were we trying to save them from?
DeleteSuch rich photos. Pho here too,and sometimes it's excellent. I feel honored to read about this trip.
ReplyDeleteMagical. The photos are just magical. I admire how you document your trips so much, and then you share the travel with us too. Thank you. I'll never get to Viet Nam, but I'm enjoying through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteI love the scarecrow! You two take fabulous photos, and you're great photo subjects, too!
ReplyDelete