Storms on Halong Bay
Re-routed to inland temples and river boat ride
10.13.2009 - 10.13.2009
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With storms headed for Halong Bay, travel agencies were busy this morning re-routing tourists to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc. I was on a bus with people from Scotland, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Hong Kong, etc. A few Americans were out and about, but Europeans and Aussies seem to make up most of the traveling public. I thought I'd see some Japanese tourists, especially with all of the Honda and Yamaha motorcycles on the streets, but a guide said they don't usually come this time of year.
Our first stop this morning was Hoa Lu, an early capital of the country about 2 hours outside Hanoi. It is now the site of some ancient Buddhist temples. Afterward we had a 2-hour boat ride on the river at Tam Coc. The name means "three caves" and indeed you ride through three caves along the way. The area is marked by large limestone formations along the river, similar to but not quite as spectacular as those along the Li River in Guilin, China. It was quite hazy, so not a great day for photography.
I was in a boat with a fellow-tourist from Sweden. When I said I was from Minneapolis, she said her husband had gone to chiropractic school there. Then she and an Australian had to reminisce about the movie "Fargo." All over the planet now, people now know of Minnesota because of that crazy movie!!
A young Vietnamese woman was on the tour as well. She is from the south and was up this way to see a region she hadn't been to before. She was texting her boyfriend as we drove out to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc. Vietnam might be a developing country, but certain 21st century devices are apparently required everywhere! Watch out for the motorcyclists talking on their cell phones!
Rumors are that Halong Bay trips may be canceled the rest of the week because of a typhoon. Apparently a tourist boat sank out there in recent months, so caution is the word when storms head this way.
Posted by ColleenK 10.13.2009 19:25 Archived in Vietnam Tagged tourist_sites
