Vietnam

Not a painting trip but a trip with Frank and friends. It would be a wonderful place to paint, maybe a bit tricky staying out of everyone’s way as it’s so busy.
This is such a wonderful country with such friendly happy people.

First stop was Hanoi
Saturday 22nd February
Arrived at Sofitel after 24 travelling, had quick shower and then out to explore. Needed to eat so found a Sky Bar. Was hoping to see a good sunset but the sun just sank and it got dark. A lovely light though.

Happy Hour at Sky bar

Fresh Fish anyone?

A walk along the railway line

Mobile fruit shop

Water puppet show

A short trip on the local train
It had to be done 😁

Fabulous views over Hoian from the sky bar

The local butcher

We enjoyed wandering the old quarters which were about half a mile from hotel. The street food was very good but mostly ate on the roof tops. Went to Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and gardens. Took rickshaw ride round old quarter,  great fun. We learnt how to cross the road, there are mopeds, scooters and bikes everywhere, they don’t stop so you have to just step out and walk slowly across as they drive round you. A bit worrying the the first few times.



Halong Bay
Monday 24th February
Next stop was a cruise around Halong Bay on an Azalea ship. There were only 28 of us on board. Rooms were surprisingly spacious.

Azalea Cruise ship

Our cabin

A view of the bay

We were three nights on board. We had a couple of trips to Cat Ba island. The first was to caves high up. We climbed loads of steps, the caves were only a metre high in places. I wish we had known but we managed ok. Another trip via the tender was a village, nothing exciting but still quite interesting

Wednesday 26th February
Hoi An
After flight from Hanoi to Da Nang we arrived early evening at Boutique Hotel Hoi An.
Fabulous place. We ventured out for a meal at Red Chilli, recommended on Trip Advisor. We weren’t disappointed, the meal was fabulous. There were a big crowd of Vietnamese tennis players booked in. We were warned it could get noisy - it did. They were all lovely and kept coming to say sorry for the noise. Even bought us beers. It all added to the great atmosphere.
 One of the guys was a tour leader and we arranged for him to take us to My Son in his car.

RedChilli restaurant