Northern Vietnam

After mom left I joined up with a group that I had met previously in Laos and we rented motor bikes and made the scenic, day long ride through Hi Van Pass and into Hue. The ride had amazing ocean and jungle views and was made to be done on a scooter. 

The next day we explored the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hue. It had a huge citadel in the middle of the city that had two moats and towering walls surrounding it. That afternoon we took a short bus ride north to Phong Nha to do some caving.

Again in Phong Nha, we rented motor bikes and made a 60km ride around the region that is know for its amazing caverns. Our first stop was the Dark Cave, which we had to zip line into, and then spent our time wading through mud and pitch black water. Our second cave was the Paradise cave, which had some of the most amazing stalagtites I have ever seen. When we got back to town we hopped on a night bus and headed to Vietnams capital, Hanoi. 

My only day in Hanoi was spent exploring the old town which had amazing old building, lakes, street food and beer. 

The next morning we went to Halong Bay and got on an overnight boat through one of the New Wonders of the World. There are hundreds of limestone islands jutting out of the water that went as far as the eye can see. It was overcast, so we didn't get to see it in all it's glory, but it was still impressive. 

The next morning we went to a pearl farm and then back through the bay to the marina and then took a bus back to Hanoi.

After a night bus from Hanoi to the northern highlands of Sapa, I joined a tour group for a two day trek through the region.  It was really foggy, but at times a little sun would peak through to give us amazing views of the terraced rice paddies. After day one, we did a home stay in a local hill tribe village, and got to experience their culture first hand.

I am now going to return to Hanoi to catch my flight to Hong Kong, and then it is on to China!