Vietnam: Ninh Binh

We had an early rise for our bus tour out to Ninh Binh, south of Hanoi.  On the way, I experienced my first hole in the ground toilet.  I would like to thank my freedom camping experience in NZ allowing me to conquer this challenge with ease! 

We had a boat ride along a river which curved along rice fields and mountains—it was beautiful.  We had an elderly couple as our rowers--the only English they knew was “money” tapping Erik on the shoulder throughout asking for it.  They paddled us through the three caves.  We bought the couple some drinks and a snack, but they kept trying to sell us things and ask for money.  It definitely takes away from the experience, but Vietnam is a third world communist country and people are trying to get by the best they can. 

A river side home at the foot hills

At the gate to a temple in the "city" of Ninh Binh.  Doesn't Shelley look excited!

The colorful flag flown at temples throughout Vietnam.  We see them everywhere.

Doorways were definitely not made for fat Americans

Shelley at the front of the boat taking in the sites and wishing we could row the boat for some exercise.

Erik perfectly content being rowed and sweating up his own river!?

A view down the river, isn't it pretty?

Another view of the surrounding hills and rice fields and a curious westerner

There are temples at every turn along the river and in the hills as well

The Vietnamese do still were the traditional hats

A dragon on the top of a hill by a temple...look closely

Exiting the cave you can see Shelley's cute profile (a cool pic if I may say so)

A bed off the water in a hole in the cave.  Yes, someone lives there

Erik and the two rowers, right before she kept tapping him saying "money"

After a fun boat ride, we rode bikes with a French man along the rice fields, the ducks, the goats (a local delicacy we had at lunch), shacks, and a school until the road ended.  It made me so happy to ride a bike, even if it was a only a one speed!

On our bike ride through the countryside.  It was a lot of fun, and of course Shelley showed me up--Shelley rides a professional bike at home and I like ones with engines

At the end of our ride there was this little town.

Hours later we made it back to our hotel and went out for a pina colada (we actually found a place that sold them!)—not quite the same as in Mexico but refreshing nonetheless!