At Pingxiang 凭祥 bus station.
Day 26 (23.04.2011) Pingxiang 凭祥 to Hanoi
Pingxiang 凭祥 is 15km away from the Vietnamese border crossing. We took the 11am van (CY70) to Youyi Guan the Chinese side friendship border first and then to Vietnam border town of Huu Nghi and not to Lang Son. From Huu Nghi we took the big bus (D150k) to Hanoi in 4 hours bus journey.
Sleeping at Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse @ US10 a room
A tunnel on the route from Pingxiang to Youyi Guan the Chinese side border town with Vietnam.
This is Youyi Guan the Chinese side border town with Vietnam.
This is the car that we took for border crossing from Youyi Guan the Chinese side to Huu Nghi in Vietnam.
To Vietnam border town of Huu Nghi and not to Lang Son. From Huu Nghi we took the big bus (D150k) to Hanoi in 4 hours bus journey.
Vietnamese houses on the road from Huu Nghi to Hanoi.
Vietnamese cemetery on the road from Huu Nghi to Hanoi.
Vietnamese houses on the road from Huu Nghi to Hanoi.
Bus dropped us on the outer ring road of Hanoi and we had to walk 1km all the way to Hanoi Old Quarter.
Ching Neng Bin had to assist Lee Kam Boon in carrying his big backpack for the 1km walk to Hanoi Old Quarter.
The motorcyclist in Hanoi. Hanoi is famed for legions of motorbikes. There are five million motorbikes among a population of about seven million, compared to half a million cars on the road.
Hanoi Old Quarter.
Roadside seafood hawker in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Roadside seafood hawker in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Roadside seafood hawker in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Taking our 1st dinner in Hanoi with two Japanese backpackers we met in the bus from China. The best Pho to eat in Hanoi. We have been here for the past many years.
The oldest cinema in Hanoi Old Quarter.
If you are in Hanoi Old Quarter, never miss the local Beer Hoi. It was D2,000 in 2007, now is at D5,000 a mug.
Cheers! You will regret for not drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter. Enjoying with our Japanese backpackers.
As soon as the sun sets in Hanoi there's only one place to be: drinking Bia Hoi by the roadside in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Ching Neng Bin getting the real taste of the local cigarette and drinking Bia Hoi by the roadside in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Making Vietnamese friend, Sam (samnguyen.ftu@gmail.com) drinking Bia Hoi by the roadside in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Ching Neng Bin drinking Bia Hoi by the roadside in Hanoi Old Quarter.
The smiling Ms.Sam (samnguyen.ftu@gmail.com) in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Lee Kam Boon with his Vietnamese girlfriend in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Our European backpackers drinking friends by the roadside in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Our European backpackers drinking friends by the roadside in Hanoi Old Quarter.
The big crowd drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
This is a disorderly orderly traffic in Hanoi.
We stayed at this Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Day 27 (24.04.2011) Hanoi (day trip to Halong Bay)
Today we made a day trip to Halong Bay which cost US17 per person booked at our Darling Cafe Guesthouse. We stayed at Homey Hotel @ US9 a room.
A Vietnamese fruit vendor with traditional balanced baskets.
A Vietnamese bread vendor with a balanced basket on her head.
This is our favorite baguettes in Vietnam for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Vietnamese wine with venomous cobra snakes and scorpion.
The typical Vietnamese building - tall and narrow.
Halong Bay jetty for a day trip to Halong Bay which cost US17 per person.
We were on this Chinese Junk boat for a day trip to Halong Bay which cost US17 per person.
Chinese Junk boat at Halong Bay.
Lee Kam Boon on a Chinese Junk boat at Halong Bay.
Chinese Junk boat at Halong Bay.
Chinese Junk boat at Halong Bay.
Chinese Junk boat at Halong Bay.
Chinese Junk boat at Halong Bay.
This is the floating market where you can buy seafood for the boatman to cook.
The different kind of sea shells for sale at the floating market where you can buy for the boatman to cook.
Fishes for sale at the floating market where you can buy for the boatman to cook.
Large squid for sale at the floating market where you can buy for the boatman to cook.
Halong Bay.
The floating fruit vendors at Halong Bay.
The floating fruit vendors at Halong Bay.
The floating fruit vendors at Halong Bay.
The floating fruit vendors at Halong Bay.
A boat made of mat and bamboo in Halong Bay.
Cave exploration by small boat at Halong Bay.
Kayaking and on small boats in Light and Dark cave Halong Bay.
Kayaking and on small boats in Light and Dark cave Halong Bay.
Kayaking and on small boats in Light and Dark cave Halong Bay.
Halong Bay.
Halong Bay.
Halong Bay.
Halong Bay.
This is the Dong Thien Cung cave entrance in Halong Bay.
The Dong Thien Cung cave has numerous stalactites and stalagmites with special and strange shapes. Due to having the narrow cave door and the strongly development of the flora surrounding, the entrance of Thien Cung cave was hidden. Because stalactites inside had the shapes of dragon, phoenix, and Four Pillars which made those people think about an imperial palace. The cave was named as Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Cave).
The Dong Thien Cung cave has numerous stalactites and stalagmites with special and strange shapes.
The Dong Thien Cung cave has numerous stalactites and stalagmites with special and strange shapes.
The Dong Thien Cung cave has numerous stalactites and stalagmites with special and strange shapes.
The Dong Thien Cung cave has numerous stalactites and stalagmites with special and strange shapes.
At Dong Thien Cung jetty for Halong Bay tour.
We were drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
We were drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
We stayed at Homey Hotel @ US9 a room.
Day 28 (25.04.2011) Hanoi Old Quarter
Today is our second last day and it is free and easy.
Morning was shopping and walking all over of Hanoi, visited the huge wholesale market.
Had our favorite Pho Bo for lunch and Wantan mee for dinner.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show.
We stayed at Homey Hotel @ US9 a room.
The 5 storey spiral stair case of the Homey Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.
The street of Hanoi Old Quarter. Morning was shopping and walking all over of Hanoi, visited the huge wholesale market.
A street fish vendor in Hanoi.
The HSBC bank on the main street of Hanoi in 2005.
Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
Lee Kam Boon and his new girlfriend a book vendor in Hanoi.
The best Pho to eat in Hanoi. We have been here for the past many years.
Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Ngoc Son Temple at Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Ngoc Son Temple at Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
We had the best Van Than My (wantan mee) for dinner in Hanoi.
We had the best Van Than My (wantan mee) for dinner in Hanoi together with our Japanese backpacker.
Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Cheers! Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Cheers! Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Total expenses in China to-date is RM2,925 per person. End of part 7 and see you in Shanghai.
Morning was shopping and walking all over of Hanoi, visited the huge wholesale market.
Had our favorite Pho Bo for lunch and Wantan mee for dinner.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show.
We stayed at Homey Hotel @ US9 a room.
The 5 storey spiral stair case of the Homey Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.
The street of Hanoi Old Quarter. Morning was shopping and walking all over of Hanoi, visited the huge wholesale market.
A street fish vendor in Hanoi.
The HSBC bank on the main street of Hanoi in 2005.
Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
The Chợ Đêm Đồng Xuân wholesale market in Hanoi.
Lee Kam Boon and his new girlfriend a book vendor in Hanoi.
The best Pho to eat in Hanoi. We have been here for the past many years.
Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Ngoc Son Temple at Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Ngoc Son Temple at Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Evening was the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
We had the best Van Than My (wantan mee) for dinner in Hanoi.
We had the best Van Than My (wantan mee) for dinner in Hanoi together with our Japanese backpacker.
Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Cheers! Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Cheers! Our last day drinking Bia Hoi in Hanoi Old Quarter by the roadside atop tiny plastic stools.
Day 29 (26.04.2011) Hanoi to KL
The last day was an early rise and we took a van (US15) at 7.30am to the airport for our flight back to KL.
Air-Asia : Hanoi - KL is RM320.90
The last day was an early rise and we took a van (US15) at 7.30am to the airport for our flight back to KL.
Air-Asia : Hanoi - KL is RM320.90
///Backpacking Adventure
Enjoy reading your write up. Very informative. Seems like we have a common friend, my ex-classmate Dr Goh Chooi Beow
ReplyDeleteDear Mr Ching,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the nice photos. Enjoyed looking at them and really wish I can join you in one of your trip. May God continue to grant you good health so that you can enjoy your retirement.
Best regards
Yoke Tek
Superb, very nice, thank you for sharing. China is truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi NB,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Enjoy reading your write up, short & sweet.
Keep on trekking !
Best rgds,
Jeff Cheng
Hi Mr Ching,
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventurous trip at such an economical cost. The view is fantastic! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Keep us posted.
Thanks Ching for putting up the photos/commentary ! Hope to go with you on another trip sometime!
ReplyDelete"Life is not a race but a journey"
Hello Mr Ching
ReplyDeleteMy sis, Bee Leng introduced me to your travel blog. Great to see you photos of your memorable China trip. Keep it up you intrepid travellers! Best wishes in your retirement.
Jo Tan send me your travel website, and I spent hours admiring your travels in Asia. Thanks a million posting those photos…. we’ll be visiting Beijing, Xian and Shanghai on the 18 Sept for 2 weeks. Don’t think we’ll be visiting so many places like you!
ReplyDeleteI’m presently retired as of Feb, 2011, would love to travel like you too…. Thanks a Million again.
Dear Mr. Ching, You are very adventurous!!!!!!!!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Bye
Thanks for sharing Ching, it is one adventurous trip! Got to see China through your beautiful sharing .... keep it up!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Hi Ching, I really envy you man! You are really such a good traveler in wonderful places like this trip .. keep it up bro.....
ReplyDeleteHi Ching. I don't know how my address ended up in your mailing list. Perhaps it was thru mutual friends of ours but I truly enjoyed your adventures just as you have enjoyed it. Thank you very much for sharing which makes our lives more enriched even though we may not be physically there, but we were there to share the wonders. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteHi mate,
ReplyDeleteKC and I have been sitting down reading your excellent narration of your wonderful tour...and drooling. Sounds absolutely wonderful.
We see you are anticipating another 18 day tour in November and wonder a. would you accept a +10% Gwailo and wife and b. if yes, what are anticipated dates.. I'm supposed to be helm on a yacht race 18-26 November.
We will be coming through China in October off a cruise ship so we could get a multi entry visa.
Cheers
Phill
Ching,
ReplyDeleteI was coming from PingXiang to Hanoi and HoChiMin City, where I met you on the Delta River Cruise, three years ago. The scenery in that part is better than Guilin. I did not go to Halong Bay, kept it for my next trip. Will join you one day perhaps. Have a nice trip.
John
New York
Hi Mr Ching
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the interesting updates .. btw, Happy belated birthday to you and I guess it is fun to celebrate it in China this time.
Best regards.
Ching,
ReplyDeleteYou guys are definitely having the time of your life after retirement.
Way to go and I salute the group of you.
Dear Mr Ching,
ReplyDeleteI have been receiving your emails for quite sometime now. I thoroughly enjoy them because I am also a very keen traveller. I am retired teacher, aged 69 years. I am originally from Bidor but has since 1965, been residing in Kajang. I received my earlier education in GESS Tapah and the Chung Hwa Middle school in Bidor. I taught Mathematics for about 26 years in Malaysia before opted to go to Brunei in 1992. I was attached to the Ministry of Education, Brunei for 10 years before I retired in 2002. Presently I am the Vice president cum Director of Studies of an established college of tourism in KL. We specialise in the training of tourism professionals in the like of national tourist guides and IATA courses. I plan to call it quit next year and would like to spend more time travelling. Would be very keen to join you in your exciting adventure if so welcome. Thank you for your time. Best regards to you and your family.
Hong Foo Wah @ Achai
Thanks Ching; what an intrepid traveller you are ; and what an enviable existence. Good of you to share with friends. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting life you have! A great role model you are! Thanks for sharing. Keep us in the loop please.
ReplyDeletebest wishes,
celine
Hi Ching,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the sharing. I wish you would convert all these writing into a book to share with the world. They make very interesting reading.
I have a request, could you please use my new email address as the old one is full? The new email address is engeng1956@gmail.com.
Thanks and kind regards,
Tan
You're simply a great guy. Really appreciate all your fantastic write-up. Have a wonderful time. Regards
ReplyDeleteDear Neng Bin
ReplyDeleteYour adventures are so interesting!! Admire your energy and love for travel. I travel a lot but I am a pampered traveller!!
Ros
Ching, thank you for this gem of a travel info. I hope to get there sometime soon after I've recovered from repairs to my house flooding in Brisbane. Wish you a most delightful journey for the rest of your trip.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely great and wonderful trip! Keep it up and do share with me. :)
ReplyDeleteI will refer to your note to plan my trip to the same places, perfect! Take care and enjoy fullest in Hanoi. I just came back from North of Vietnam from 22-30 March, it was very cold for us. Regards, Elvi :)
Hi, That is really an achievement!! Do you allow others to join you on your trips. Do let me know.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Lingham
Thank you Ching. Reading your emails and following your journey is like watching a movie.
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that you all enjoyed my backpacking travel. I started traveling way back in 2001. Am inspired by Mr.Ian Wright of Lonely Planet on Astro. Need to rough it out and many a time required to sleep in bus or train station. Traveled alone once in 2004 to Cambodia in 12days.
Currently, four of us the so called hardcore traveler will normally plan and plot the route in the country that we want to travel. Having done that we would patiently wait for AirAsia promotions for cheap fare.
Only after getting our air ticket, we would invite friends who are interested to join us to book their air ticket. We normally limit to 10 pax.for hard traveling.
As for free and easy backpacking trip for about 10 days, I may invite friends and family up to 28pax like I did for Saigon last December.
The advantage of backpacking is that you will save a lot of money,
especially if you are looking at food, budget mode of transport and
accommodation.
The best thing in backpacking is that you will actually be able to
experience and feel what it's really like in those places, rather than just see what it's like as an alien tourist.