Vietnam - Ninh Binh

Today we went on a very relaxing boat trip on the river amongst the limestone karsts and caves in the Van Long Nature Reserve. We were on a sampan boat being rowed, it was so gentle and peaceful moving slowly along at a low level in the water. We saw some birdlife including an eagle, although I am not sure which species it was. 

This was followed by lunch at a popular restaurant. These lunches are included in our booking and when we arrive at the restaurant we are presented with a feast of food that the two of us cannot possibly finish. A speciality of the area is goat meat and I tried some, it was good. I very much enjoyed the green papaya salad and the scorched rice. We felt bad not being able to finish off the feast but it was too much! 

After lunch we went to visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu which is in Ninh Binh, and the Temples of King Dinh and King Le. This place was the capital of Vietnam for 42 years, from 968 - 1010 under the reign of of Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties. In 1010 the capital was moved to Hanoi by King Ly and the two temples were then built, dedicated to his successors. We visited both temples and saw the excavation site only discovered in 1994 of remnants from life here centuries ago. 

As I am on a holiday with Gavin rather than on a photographic trip I am struggling to get the type of photos I want, and photos are taken on the hoof as we are going about our planned itinerary. I was getting a bit desperate to get portraits of the local people, and unlike on a photography trip where they have arranged ‘models’ to pose for such photos, I have to grab them when I can. Today I saw this woman sitting outside the temples with her buffalo so I asked if I could get a photo - well our guide asked as she did not speak English. I quickly took a few photos while she was talking to our guide, and while this is not exactly what I wanted - wrong position, lighting incorrect - it’s a start. 

When we got back to the hotel we used bikes offered by the hotel to cycle the 5km back into town. It was a bit scary as you are sharing a narrow road with cars, buses, trucks, motorbikes, cyclists and pedestrians - rather chaotic. The secret is to just keep going and hope the cars do avoid you! Lots of hooting as is the custom from drivers to warn when they are approaching so it was quite an experience. The 10km trip on a bike with no suspension and no gears was also a bit of a time warp. 

Today Adam leaves for San Diego to go find an apartment and to buy a car in readiness for him starting his new job there in January. Having a car there is necessary due to lack of public transport where he will be staying. And while he is there he will be doing a half iron man competition, as you do when flat hunting!

Tomorrow morning it is an early departure as we move on to Halong Bay.