We left Hanoi for Day 3 to take a day trip to the first capital of Vietnam.

Our bus driver, Hai and our tour guide, Duc collected us from our hotel at 7:30am and drove us 2 hours from Hanoi to the province of Ninh Bình in northern Vietnam. We were seated in a multicultural bus of people from Scotland, Finland, India, Philippines and Korea (and Australia, of course).

Once we arrived in Ninh Bình, we rode bicycles through the mountain side to the Hoa Lư temples. Hoa Lư, the ancient capital of Vietnam, was reigned from 968 to 1010 by the Dinh and Le Dynasties. The limestone mountains and water surrounding Hoa Lư assisted in defending the Chinese and protecting the city during the war – a very picturesque place.

After our buffet lunch at a homestay in the mountain side (which felt like school camp), we arrived at Tam Cốc with our new Finnish friends, Aleksi and Santeri, for a boat ride. Tam Cốc translates to “three grottos” and we were rowed down the waterway for an hour and a half to take in the views of the mountains, the caves and the surrounding scenery. This was beautiful and very relaxing (except it was a bit chilly).

Our last stop of the day was to Mua Caves, which was quite the opposite to “relaxing”. We climbed over 500 stairs to 2 peaks; the highest being Núi Ngoạ Long (Lying Dragon Mountain). The climbing was worth it (minus Pat laughing at me). The panoramic views of Tam Cốc and Ninh Bình are stunning. We would do it again.

On the way home, we arranged for dinner at Era Restaurant as recommended by Lee Lee and Dylan (we felt so special visiting your engagement place). We enjoyed Bò Cuôn Lá Lôt Nuóng (beef rolled with betel leaf), Cơm Rang Đùi Gà Chiên Mám (fried rice with chicken thighs in fish sauce), Nem Lụi Nướng Sá (grilled mince pork with lemongrass) and Chuôi Chiên Àn Kèm Vói Kem (deep fried banana with ice cream). The food was so amazing. Although, the highlight was the Era Special Cocktail (black sticky rice wine, tequila, amaretto, pineapple juice, lime juice, sugar syrup, strawberry and white egg) – we had 2 each.

Hanoi was fabulous – off to Hạ Long Bay tomorrow!

Also, anyone know how Pat can watch the cricket in Vietnam? He’s having withdrawals.