Back on terra firma

28 May 2011

There’s actually not much time for pure relaxation on Halong cruises.  Travelling time between stops is short and the days are filled with excursions.

This morning we stopped at Vung Vieng fishing village.  This is a collection of floating homes tucked between some islands.  We were taken around on sampans for 45 minutes around the village.

The tiny women rowers must be very strong.  It reminds me of the porters at Chennai railway station … their spindly legs are the size of my arms and they lift three pieces of baggage and put them on their head.

The sampans are essentially spliced bamboo baskets that have been waterproofed with what seems to be tar.  What was strange were the several concrete boats that were around in the village!

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Our cruise ended after brunch and we made our way back to Hanoi. We settled into our hotel and taxied to Quan An Ngon, a touristy street-food high-end food court I guess.

 

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