Road trip to Tam Coc

June 10

Leaving Hanoi wondering if we started with the best city first. Cannot say enough about the hospitality  shown at our hotel.

Onward for two hours to Tam Coc. The inland Halong Bay made around rice paddies.

Thai Vi Temple surrounded by peaceful grounds, and the boys first experience inside a temple. The close, heavy air and burning incense did not agree with Levi's sketchy stomach. We found the offerings to the idols have taken on a 21st century taste - coca cola, beer and wagon wheels. I guess gods want more than fruit also.

The temple gates leading into gardens and temple.

No tour would be complete without a stop at an all you can eat buffet. With our iffy stomachs no one was interested in eating too much. Goat is the main dish of this region. Many for sale on side of the road. Completely cooked with head on. Just ask the vendor to cut you a slab and off you go. The head is apparently good as a soup base.

Next a tranquil paddle down a river that has rice paddies edging up against limestone rock formation and caves. The ladies paddling these boats were in shape. Using feet to paddle instead of arms, saves the back.

Although there were many of these small tin boats on the river, it was very tranquil and peaceful. Much preferred to that of Halong Bay with its large motorized boats. Less pollution in air and in water.

The pictures do not do the scenery justice. We passed by cemeteries, rice paddies, through 3 caves and all along the beautiful limestone rocks.

Daily life along the river.

From the river we went to the town of Tam Coc. It seems to be built on swampy land, but ideal for growing rice. Rice kernels need to be dried on any piece of concrete there is. Whether a busy highway, parking lot, or ifyou are lucky enough to have a piece near your property. Many people haul huge bags of rice into town to try to dry the rice during the day on concrete. Sometimes needing to move quickly to scoop it all up with the sudden downpours of rain. We had this yesterday.

We rode bikes through the back roads and soggy paddies. This is what I had pictured rural Vietnam to look like.

Our tour guide, Jimmy, was constantly trying to corral all of us. "Mr. Jack family - where Mr. Jack family?" "My Canadian family - you alright?" "AHHH, Jack family, there you are!"
There is one common joke that has caught on in Asia - "whoever missing - raise your hand." haha

One thing that is catching the boys attention is how men and women are able to expel loud, disgusting lougies.

You know you are rural when roosters are crowing. I would change that sound for a kuku burro any day!

There are many things the Asians have developed and do well. One is the development of a highly resilient digestive tract. The boys watched this duck get the rotisserie rod through the head to roast for the day.

The meat sold on the side of the streets and in the markets are out for hours in unbelievable heat. The stall keepers hold a bamboo stick with a plastic bag attached to swat the flies away. The dogs roaming do not even attempt to go after the meat. There must be a strict penalty they are well aware of.

Our Manitoba stomachs have loved the Vietnamese food a bit too much. The thought of it now left us craving western food. We had pizza last night and it has never tasted so good. It even tasted like Manitoba pizza. I couldn't believe it

We are staying at La Belle homestay for the night. The AC and 2 fans are blowing full blast to keep us from melting. We have to remind ourselves the majority of people in Vietnam would not have this luxury. With this tropical heat cockroaches, teams of ants and rats are everywhere.
Much French spoken here.

I am not expecting tomorrow night to be comfortable aboard an overnight train to Hue.