It's still pretty dark for the bow cam, but we can make out some shoreline and lights.
Almost to Hanoi.
Well, actually, Ha Long is where the port is. Hanoi is another 2.5 hours drive from there.
Breakfast at the back of the ship.
Beautiful sunrise.
Other people below watching.
There were many huge rocks in the water.
Many people anchored their boats between them here.
Including some large yachts.
Full moon and the city from the front.
Sunrise.
Between two rocks.
A long line shining on the water.
Us with it.
With a boat.
A smaller boat.
More of them.
A cable car, bridge, and Ferris wheel.
Zoomed in.
A temple.
A lighthouse to the left.
And a water park.
Multiple buses waiting for us.
This pigeon was all puffed up.
The gangway was open.
Follow the arrows.
A few tour groups with their flags are ready to go ashore.
We're nearly the first in line.
We need our excursion ticket, Vietnam landing card, and cabin card.
Off the ship.
We were the first ones on our bus, so we got the very front seats for the best view.
We only saw one cable car go across.
We only drove a short distance before our first stop. This trash container is shaped like a whale.
This person missed their tour bus because of the time change the night before. You have to really pay attention to that, or get up extra early just in case.
Getting on a boat.
Inside seating on the bottom.
And and outdoor area up top.
We were headed for this small island.
Looking back at the city.
More people up top.
Another boat headed to the island.
There were already many other boats there.
Arriving.
Walking up some steps.
A view of the boats and the mainland.
Inside a cave.
There are many rock structures that are supposed to look like different things. This one is a couple.
Headed up more.
Many people below.
As soon as you exit the cave, there are vendors selling drinks.
And all kinds of souvenirs.
These are cute.
Another nice view.
All of the boats below. They all look the same; I hope Ogii remembered which one was ours.
More vendors.
With fruit.
A few of the outlooks.
We found our boat.
Some cool washcloths.
They're even selling stuff on the boat.
This little boat had a tiny one tied onto it with a plastic chair on top.
A large yacht, Grand Pioneers, which is a nicer way to cruise around the bay.
We went around the bay and looked at rocks that look like things. This one is the incense burner and is on the 200,000 VND bill.
Fighting Cocks, the most famous rock formation.
We saw this boat speeding towards us. I hope they're not pirates.
Nope. Just vendors who want to sell us fruit.
The driver matched our speed.
While the woman sold fruit to us.
Through a window.
Picking some out.
Nope, don't want those.
I'll take them, though. The fruit was very fresh.
A video.
They served us long on the boat.
We had a variety of dishes.
We passed our ship on the way back.
Us with it.
Then back onto the bus for the long ride to Hanoi. The bus had air conditioning, but they had hand fans for each of us for when we got off.
Stores that look like a ship.
A huge mural.
It's very well done.
A large house.
Most of the houses were very tall, usually around four stories, but very skinny.
Some had additional sections on each side.
There were a ton of motorcyles / scooters, and many drivers carried a lot on them.
A toll booth.
More tall, skinny houses.
And some others.
A church.
Their faces are completely covered: hoods up, goggles, and masks.
I'd be a little worried only having sandals on.
Some wider houses, but again, usually one central skinnier part with additional sections build onto the sides.
Most had a similar style, but this was a modern one.
An extra carrier put onto each side of the bike.
For lots of fruit.
Some fields.
Walking with a cow.
Passing was kind of crazy. There was only one official lane on each side, but sometimes they'd try to squeeze past a car on the same side, or push over into the other side a bit, even with oncoming traffic. Although everyone had to watch for the small motorcyles so they didn't knock into them.
More farmland.
A bunch of white people watching a Vietnamese person work.
Big gate.
More traffic craziness.
There were large landmarks scattered along the highway.
We stopped at Hong Ngoc Fine Art, the Production Workshop for Disabled People.
They ship to many places.
They started as a way for disabled people to be able to work.
Lacquer.
Carvings.
Most of the people are embroidering.
Different pictures.
Even more.
They're rather expensive; around $150 to 300 USD, and we don't need any more artwork. Although if you buy one, you can take a picture with the artist who made it.
Some distinguished people who have visited.
Sculptures and pictures.
Jewelry.
Snacks.
We're more in the mood for this.
Different types of Kit Kats.
And chocolates.
We spent $50 on candy, although many of them are for gifts.
District government office.
Another neat building.
A tractor.
Cows.
People in the flooded fields.
Many houses.
More field workers.
Carrying a piece of glass on a motorcycle.
A new huge building going up.
Selling fruit off of his bike.
Some guys fishing.
Golden landmark.
One with many wires.
Water buffalo.
Happy New Year 2025.
The traffic starts getting really busy on the outskirts of Hanoi.
A ton of motorcyles on the right side with cars on the left.
Carrying a ton of boxes.
A mosaic.
Which is very long.
Many different stories.
With some other types of artwork.
Still going.
Boats.
More modern times.
Still more.
Temples.
This guy was carrying a TV camera and stand on a motorcycle.
Four people on this one; two adults and two kids.
Traffic is crazy.
We stopped at this square. They had some horses.
Although we were there for a cyclo tour.
Us in ours.
Some small fans at the top.
Into traffic we go.
We stayed on the right side.
There are many short tables with chairs around them on the sidewalks for people to eat.
Chairs stacked up ready to go. None of these are legal; the sidewalks are supposed to be kept clear, but they are everywhere. I guess they have very cheap chairs and tables in case the police come through and confiscate them. If they hear about a police sweep in advance, the owners will hide the chairs and tables inside until it goes by.
Pushing our way through this intersection.
A video of going through an intersection and along a street lined with vendors.
A few of the younger people were dressed up in fantasy outfits.
A bunch of fruit balanced on their bike.
Sticks of meat.
Many shoe shops.
Purses.
Balloons.
Luggage and massages.
Clothing.
A little dog on a table.
A couple dressed up.
I wonder if they do it for fun, if there's a convention, or if it's for tourists.
The tall white people don't really fit in the sidewalk tables.
Lots of fruit.
Many tables.
Another cyclo, along with cars and scooters.
All kinds of items.
Hats.
I hope no scooters drive through this big pane of glass.
More sidewalk cafes.
Carrying a huge vegetable.
This woman had taken pictures of all of us on cyclos when we started, and now an hour later, she's waiting for us with the printed photos.
We bought one for $1.
The back onto the bus to go to our hotel. This is a hyperlapse of the crazy traffic on the way.
A very tall, very skinny home.
We stayed at the Silk Path Hotel.
The lobby.
Our room.
Bathroom.
Large shower.
A huge rooftop patio across the street.
Hawaiian hula on the TV.
Then out to dinner. These stores were all lit up.
Carrying a ladder on the back of a scooter.
We went to Sajang BBQ.
We had a set menu with multiple courses.
Ogii eating.
Salad.
I don't know about the shrimp cakes.
Pho.
Dumplings.
Grilled pork with vermicelli.
Lotus seed sweet soup.
Many people are still eating at the sidewalk cafes.
Many shops.
Bridge leading to the Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake.
A woman carrying two baskets via a pole over her shoulder.
The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
It was fun to watch.
Even from the back row we could see quite well.
Although many people were exhausted from the long day and fell asleep, including Ogii.
A short clip of the show.
All of the performers at the end.
The street was closed down for the evening as a Weekend Walking Street, with people dancing to the music.
The next stop was Train Street.
Where a train comes very close to all of the shops on each side.
Us on the tracks.
We had reservations at the Ga Dong Duong cafe.
Us with our drinks.
This tree had a bunch of lights in it.
Closing the gates.
Everyone ready for the train.
Here it comes.
Right by us.
We could still see other people on the second floor on the other side.
Many people going through the now-open gates.
Picking up coins they had put on the tracks.
Other people getting pictures.
This seems like a great place for a sign.
Although they misspelled "implant."
We got lucky tonight. The first train was quite delayed, and a second train was coming soon, so we headed downstairs to watch that one.
This old lady kept yelling at people to get off the tracks as the train got close.
This one came from the other direction.
Don't stick your head out too far.
There it goes.
A short video.
Us on the tracks afterwards.
Some of the small shops by our hotel were still open even though it was after 10pm, so we went to look at them.
Factory outlet.
We both bought some pants. Mine have zippers at the knees so I can turn them into shorts. They were very cheap; $5 for Ogii's, $15 for mine.