Day 11
Arriving at Halong Bay Vietnam. Surprised we have to for Vietnam Landing card USD 1.50 and port admin USD 15 for 3 ports as we were not charged in 2023 by Celebrity Solstice or Sapphire Princess in 2015. Guest service explained to me that it is not Visa but port admin of 3 ports at USD5 each so total USD15. Cos as Singaporean, we are exempted from Visa. Again for my past visits from Sapphire Princess 2015 and Celebrity Solstice 2023, we need not pay for that as well port landing fees. It might not seem much but when we paid for the cruise, I thought it mentioned port and tax was included?
Finally reached Halong Bay.
Photos taken yesterday by Photographer Luthu yesterday at Sabatini.
.jpg)
Felt great to be back at Halong Bay after 2 years. Managed to get a shuttle this time and was early to reach the cruise terminal building.
Enjoying home made Beef noodle Pho at a Local restaurant in Halong Bay. Our tour guide Van Lily is very good.
Van Lily told us how bad Typhoon Yagi hit Halong Bay last year. How the roof ripped off the houses and structures broke the glass of the cars The garage was also damaged and the queue to get their cars fixed was half a month so many drove with broken windows. Many families suffered and Van grandma said it was the strongest she had seen in her lifetime. There were many deaths too. Saw many karsts on the highway. Beautiful!
2nd eating stop. Pham Ngoc Cha Muc (squid ball) Gia Tay (handmade). Awesome squid ball which is like our fish cake. The rice roll with ground pork and cat ear (a plant) is so good. The sauce is so good, especially vegetables. Best meal this trip. Gratitude
Came to this local restaurant for coffee. The low wooden stools and tables. Its small and easy to grab into the shop if the police check as they havr to clear the walkway. Van Lily said there are 400,000 compared to 10 million in Hanoi so the demand for food will be lower. Most locals would have their coffee or food before 7am before going for school or work.The salted coffee is so good! Concentrated and fragrant.
On our way we saw many tombs at homes of people. Van told me that the bones would be dug up at night three years later and wash the bones before burying it again. Interesting tradition of the North. For those in the South, the body will remind buried in the same land. For the newer generation cremation is encouraged but many still stick to the tradition.
.jpg)
Wow how did the man climb to the top of the signboard?
We made a mid-stop for toilet and visited the Thien Thai Artisan shops in Vietnam. Pro poor tourism in action. People with disabilities creating craft to be sold to tourists. The shop employs people with disabilities. Hubby bought one of the silk embroidery which the staff said will help support people with disabilities. The embroidery is special as when he shone the UV ray, the color change. Pro poor tourism. They trained the people with disabilities to make the craft to sell to the tourists.
Vin corporation invests a lot in Vietnam. It is the people dream to live in Vin home, go to Vin school, own a Vin Car, go to Vin supermart, and even goto Vin space one day. The Vin Car is using BMW engine. It took some time to get the people use to Vietnam produced Car. The Vin Car cost around S$49,000.
Took the trishaw around the old quater in Hanoi.
A lot of street vendors on wheels in old Quarter.
Former American Military trucks which is used to ferry tourists now.
Lunch at Cái Mâm Restaurant also known as the Tray. So called as there are common dishes with chicken and banana flower salad, spring roll, grilled pork with rice vermicelli as well as crispy pork belly and boiled vegetables.
Lee with all the Lily, Lily Lee (me), Lily linh (tour agent) and Van Lily (tour guide). The blue pea tea is delicious and the fruit juices orange and carrot in a tilted glass.
Very nice dessert. Roasted coconut and jelly in milk.
Lily Linh brought us some local snack.
No monk in a temple as compared to the Pagoda
Dragon symbolise power and king. Turtle long life.
Unicorn look like dog and face like lion but is som of Dragon. Protector is carp rather than Dragon in this temple. If carp is hardworking enough, one day you will become a dragon.
Total 82 with good results will have their names up the tablet with tortoise which symbolise wisdom.
The roof craving is now with dragon. The place the students came to pray to Confuscius and the turtle for good results. The incense is burned with offerings twice a month. Lotus flower bloom from a muddy environment. Touch the belly of the crane for food and leg for longevity.
A mirror of hardwork and loyal to the king. A teacher who left as a mandarin and teach the students in the countryside. He taught for free. CHU VAN AN .Buddha hand fruit for offering.
The low wall you have to cross before entering the temple is very high so that the people who entered will bow and show respect..
Temple of Literature. Saw a couple's wedding. The family of the bride must obtain permission from the temple.
At the train street.
11.45am, 1 pm and 3.15 pm. At San Ga Cafe
So glad Van Lily can book for us a seat for the train street. Will need to shift back when the train arrive at 3pm. Train street also show the unification of the Vietnamese people.
.jpg)
Hubby took Egg coffee and I took the pink salt coffee. Both are extraordinary. The passing of the train a novel experience too.
.jpg)
At the theatre for water puppet show. Since 1896.
Water puppet show in Hanoi. Water puppet show was performed for the King which was around 2 hours The showcase to the tourists help to preserve the tradition but the show is cut to 45 mins. Pros and cons of tourism.
The Vin home at night. It cost around S$ 500, 000 for 2 bedrooms. Look amazing at night.
VAN Lily is so good we are coming back to Vietnam again for land tour next year!
So next year we planned to book with Uptravel Lily again.3 nights Halong bay, 2 nights Ninh Binh, 2 nights Hanoi; 4 nights Sapa and 1 night Hanoi again to rest before flight back to Singapore.
Best meal onboard. Love seared scallop. So sweet and fresh. Hubby had the reserve special seafood pasta. Finally gotten cream brulee for desserts. Its superb and have long awaited.
Day 12 departing Halong Bay and Sea.
Day 12 platter
Beautiful sunrise. There is a smaller ship behind us just waiting to capture the beauty of the sunrise.
Breakfast at Horizon Court. Love their porridge but lack condiments. Bought from a shop at Halong bay yesterday this snack Kho Ga that resembles the chicken floss. Awesome!
The aft has such a good view the cruise out of Halong. So therapeutic to hear the sound of the waves.
Lunch at Santa Fe. Rizza's recommendation of illusion cocktail is so good. The Thai green curry is very good. Soup a bit sourish.
Watched David played the piano at the Plaza. Ordered coffee Latte and expresso with hot milk.
Daddy cool
With or without you by U2 performed by Baltic Strings at Grand Plaza on Diamond Princess. Beautiful music in a beautiful ship
Chigirie art at Sabatini with Mako. Interesting Japanese art using torn paper to form a collage.
Dinner at Sabatini. Silvio, the manager, is so warm we will return again. We love the sea bass but the menu is not changed though we have unlimited access. So back to Arancini (rice ball with cheese filling), Tuscan soup, Salad, fried shrimp which was big and delicious, Salumi which was prosciutto, ham and chees. Main was sea bass and dessert Rochor.
Watched Sharon performance of Karen Carpenter's song on the theatre.
The almond tuile is so good I can't help but to ask for more! Hubby also got the popcorn which we will enjoy with movie and shows in our own cabin. Room service also brought in more banana, oramges, and apple. Grapes are out of stock.
2025
No comments:
Post a Comment