Just outside our door...
Adele and I have been fortunate to stay at hotels that are lovely, graceful and accommodating. And, they are also so beautifully situated that I thought to share them with you by taking short, local walks and inviting you along.
Our first stop outside of Hanoi was Mai Chau at the "Sol Bungalow", located in a hillside valley of extremely well manicured rice fields...right in our back yard. We took a couple of splendid walks in Mai Chau.
Morning invites the lightness of being.
A breakfast in the rice fields.
Ninh Binh (below) is a high 'tourist' area, yet, worthy of interest. Ninh Binh is in the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam. Duc Thuy is an inspirational mountain whose beauty has inspired poets throughout history. As well, its waterways pass through volcanic rock formations, grottoes and caves that make for exciting and leisurely floating by 'feet' paddlers.
Our "captain" is a young man who paddles with his feet. We took a one-hour journey down the delta and explored caves and rock formations.
Atop a monastery in Ninh Binh.
Halong Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular with tourists who throng onto day boats, speed boats and overnighters to experience the cliffs and rocky edifices that dot the waters. Literally hundereds of tourists boats idle during the day and park at night to be amongst the beauty of the surrounding bay.
A Halong Bay island rock face.
Hue began a shift away from the big city to smaller villages. We stayed at the most exotic "Hue Ecolodge". In the middle of a tropical forest The grounds of the Ecolodge were nestled between the Red River and cornered by a maze of village streets.
An ancient bridge in Hue.
Hoi An was a relief in many ways. A smaller, sophisticated city, Hoi An shares a colorful downtown with a world class beach. A shuttle bus took us for a 10 minute daily ride to the beach. We walked along paths behind restaurants that were fronted on the beach. Grab two chaise lounge chairs for the day as long as you buy a soft drink or beer and have some lunch. The beach is white sand, broad, and with the convenience of "Soul Kitchen" and "The Muong Sisters" restaurants we sunned bronze and ate well.
Hoi An also possessed an array of colorful, albeit commercial streets. At night, all visitors to the 'old city' meander the streets eventually crossing a central 'Japanese Bridge'. They may stop by a performance area where traditional Viet folk singers perform, or a square where a comedic group conducts night-time bingo in which the population participates. Add to that an endless array of stores and restaurants, cafes and bars and you have a formula that attracts the young and older alike.
The Almanity Hotel
Hoi An Beach
Colors abound in Hoi An and set the stage for passers-by. The contrasts and stark and beautiful. It was difficult not to grab the photo. I was lucky to get some shots that both describe life in Hoi An and the vibrant beauty of life.
A man who was teaching himself English. I love this man. He reminded Adele of 'Uncle Bernie' for his curiousity and constant love of knowledge and learning.
A sanctuary in the hillside.
The markets held endless fascination to me.
An 82 year old lady who worked the rice fields her whole life, now teaching at a government museum of rice.