Emerald Airbnb

Our little Airbnb in Hanoi, Emerald 32m2 Studio, is located on 32 Tran Nhan Tong street, a busy side street above a jewelry store (no, we did not go in the store), and other small sidewalk eateries. So there are always lots of people sitting, drinking and eating around the entrance ally to the apartment. 

It is a great location, within walking distance to everything that we were interested in. And of course, the people around were very friendly and helpful.

Next up: Hanoi other things of interest...

Hanoi

Hanoi, the Capital of Vietnam

Dinner with a view.

We both really like the feel of Hanoi. It is easy to navigate and though many tourists it does not feel as if it is all tourists.  Though noisy with vehicles and tooting horns (warning horns), it is so easy to just wander and meander.  Also, the air is cooler.  There are lots to see and do and more than enough places to eat local and western food. The old section of Hanoi still has the French colonial designed streets and building.

We took a "green tour" in an electric car,  Some stops along the way.
Hanoi Opera House

Vietnam Central Bank

The famous  Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

Wholesale market

Main Roundabout

Crossing the footbridge across the lake to the Temple of the Jade Mountain

View from the Temple of the Jade Mountain located on Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi

Hoa Lo Prison used by the French colonists for political prisoners during the Indochina war and later by the North Vietnamese for U.S. prisoners during the Vietnam war.

Next up, Airbnb...

Ha Long Bay - Caves

On the full day, some of us disembarked and went on a different boat where we met others doing the same.  We wandered in a cave where there was a bit of crouching and a few different groups.

We also hiked Ti Top island 420 steps to get a bird's eye view of a portion of the bay as seen in the previous post.

The 2nd cave was more like a tunnel going from one beach on one side of a small island to the opposite side on another secluded beach. Prov did a solo kayaking trip to this cave (that's my red kayak in the middle of the pic below).

Cave #3 is the "Surprise Cave", its literal name because the French discovered it by surprise, or so the story goes. It was the largest and most beautiful of all the caves and has three chambers.

Entrance to chamber 2

Chamber 1

Chamber 2

Looking up at chamber 1 ceiling...cannon pointing to the hole top right

Can you see the dragon?

Looking down into the 3rd chamber

Next up, Hanoi...

Ha Long Bay - Islands

Halong Bay, one of the great wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site, is located south of Hanoi in northern Vietnam. The bay is made up of about 3000 islands sticking out of greenish water. The water is calm and allows for a beautiful and relaxing cruise around the islands. Twice a day there was an off boat activity - caves, kayaking, swimming, and visiting pearl farms in the bay. The days were misty and not great visibility, I kinda liked the look. Not great for drying laundry though. Of our group, maybe 20 people we probably liked it the best.  We were more ready for just floating around downtime while looking at things. Others only had a weeks vacation so wanted more and different.  

Freshwater supply tanker

Fishing boat

Selfie from atop Ti Top island, 420 steps up

Next up, Caves of Halong Bay...

Ha Long Bay - Silversea Cruise

We left Hoi An 6 AM and arrived in Ha Long port by noon. We were onboard our upgraded boat on the Silversea Cruise by 1:30 PM. Very nice accommodations, food, massage, Ti Chi, kayaking, hiking, and other activities. Many boats in the bay, all pretty much running the same experience. 

Upper deck

Arrival and climbing up the stairs to our rooms.

We were the first on board and just had to have a bottle or two of wine while awaiting the rest.

Cute room

Yup, we had a tub with jets, nope we didn't use it....

It is all about the presentation!

We got a chance to drive the ship for a few seconds

Next up, a view of the islands or Halong Bay...