Day 12 - Hoi An to Phan Thiet - May 8

Transfer to Da Nang then fly to HCMC then transfer to Phan Thiet.

A long mini van drive through rural lanes so it was lovely to arrive at the hotel:

Beautiful day beside the pool.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 11 - Hoi An - May 7

Hoi An - beach and sun. Same, same but different!
Lunch at the resort.
Ron had an excellent massage at Blue Waves on the beach.

Dinner at Miss Lien Thao's Restaurant. Daunting looking place but the food was excellent.

Day 10 - Hoi An - May 6

Hoi An - beach and sun. Same, same but different!

Lunch at the resort. Then a visit to Hoi An:

 

Memorable dinner at the Mango Kitchen.

Day 9 - Hoi An - May 5

Relaxing by the beach at Hoi An.

 Ronnie and Michael checking out a traditional woven basket boat:

Caught the shuttle into Hoi An for dinner.  So clean and beautifully decorated:

 We bought a candle from this gorgeous girl:

 Ronnie dropping the candle into the river:

Dinner at the Cargo Club.

Day 8 - Halong Bay to Hoi An - May 4

Foggy start to the morning with a thai chi class for the energetic up on deck:

 Important conversation:

Wonderful walk through a sandstone cave the ceiling of which used to be lapped by the sea - when the sea was 25m higher than it is now.

Huge cathedral like caverns.

 Shrine in an isolated cave in a rock island:

After the cruise we drove to Hai Phong and then flew to Da Nang.  Then private transfer to Hoi An and checked into the Boutique Hotel, Hoi An.
Alf fell down three stairs on the way to dinner and broke both arms! Note to self: don’t try to set up new hotel wifi connection while walking.

Luckily nurse Shayne jumped into action and decided he had to go to hospital. The receptionist rang ahead and ensured an English speaking Doctor was there. The left the hotel at 9pm and by 10:30pm they were back with two casts and a bandaid.  Great service!

Day 7 - Hanoi to Ha Long Bay - May 3

Rain on the transfer out to Ha Long Bay. Dry at Halong Bay but cloudy.
Boarded our beautiful old timber Junk with Pelican Cruises.

Some decided to go for a paddle:

 Ti Top Island from a distance.  We are going to climb to the top!

 The walkers enjoying the view half way to the top.

  Sunset from the top:

Sunset from the dinghy on the way back to the junk:

 The view of other junks are night from our junk:

Day 6 - Sapa to Hanoi - May 2

Rain!

Patrick, Ray and I went down to Sapa town for lunch at Gecko restaurant and shopping. The others had showers in the room I’d reserved for extended checkout and we took our private transfer back to Hanoi in just over 4 and a half hours.

View from the van window:

Dinner at Cau Go Vietnamese restaurant, Hanoi, on the 6th floor with a lovely view of the lake and lights.
Stayed at Hanoi La Selva Hotel again.