Got picked up from Hotel at 8.00am in a 20 seater bus and headed south for over two hours driving to a little village surrounded by the mountains. It was where our guide was brought up and he kept referring to it as his town and of cause thinks it's a very special area. I just don't know how to spell the name but will check tomorrow and enter it in.
When we arrived and stepped off the bus it was soooo hot never felt anything like it, no wind as amongst the mountains. Bought a Vietnamese coolly hat for a dollar to help keep the sun off me and off we went to walk around the area. We crossed over a bridge to walk round the temple gardens and to have a look inside.
Looking back through the valley from the bridge
Crossing the bridge to go through the gates to the gardens
The gates to the temple. You just couldn't believe how hot it was here in this village. Never drunk so much water even PT drunk lots for him.
Back into the bus drive on to Tam Coc where we first had lunch (above) before we had our sanpan boat ride up through the valley of the mountains.
After lunch we met down at the wharf to get started in our boats and headed down the lake through the mountains. Note all the sanpans lined up to the right. Thats the last of them most of them had already gone with other tours. The place was packed with them. the boats were made of stainless steel and were about 3 metres long and 1.2 wide blunt front and back as can be seen.
Boats ready to go out.
We are off.
Passing through the town.
This is our rower. Aged about 50 plus. We were on the boat for one and half hours and he had to row like this with his feet. He was leaning back against a seat back and it looked quite comfortable. There were women as well as men young and old.
Scenes as we go along very peaceful and relaxing
This is my hat I brought to help with the heat. Won't be bringing it home.
This is entering the first cave. Went through three, all different sizes.
Inside not very high.
Coming out the other side.
Coming out of the second cave
The had a load they needed an extra rower. No not really, just one of the ladies "helping".
Approaching the third cave. Hello PT
This is the boat that had the extra rower, going fast passed us.
When we got to the other end of the lake we had a break while the rowers stopped for a ciggy and a little rest. Suddenly we were swamped with ladies trying to sell us food thinking we might be hungry but before we started we had just had a full cooked meal . Part of the meat was goats meat.(no kidding) as well as normal Asian food.
Turning round to return to base.
Ladies still trying hard on their sales before we leave.
Another shot of our rower. Rowing while you have a drink. The advantages of rowing with your feet.
A little hut on the side of the lake away from anything. Probably is somebodies home.
Front of our boat. I was sitting on the floor by this stage a lot easier on your back and bum and more relaxing.
Also was included was a 40 minute bike ride round the town and outskirts but we decided that it was too hot for that so pottered round town ourselves until they all came back. This is our bus team. Note the hats lots of us brought these just for the extreme heat. $1
While we were walking around we came across these boys fishing.
Guess who couldn't resist getting involved.
Great day in all but exhausting with the heat but you have to get out of the cities/towns to see the real Vietnam. Arrived back at the Hotel at 7.00pm.
Forgot to tell you I had a massage on my neck shoulders upper back yesterday to relieve some tension from all the full on touring through China. Good half hour for $15.00. They were very good and professional in a well set up spa. Hotel put me onto it. The staff are so helpful will do anything for you. Not only one person running around after you but two or three. When the bus comes to pick you up they lead you safely across the road and seem to know when you are due back and rush out to help again.
Last night I had a panic as the computer decided to play up couldn't make the mouse move everything froze. I immediately thought oh no, first no connection to blog in China and now this. Peter tried a few things but said sorry I can't do anything but I wasn't going to give up so went downstairs to ask the boys (staff) First one couldn't help, second one no good and the third which seems to know your every movement came over and said the virus protector was very weak and could loose things.....
He said he would set up a new virus protector for me which took some time. (Hope I did right Adam, it was that or computer not working. It had been on and off for a few days.) Anyway he said it is still downloading but can do my work at the same time. Went back upstairs didn't work up there. This up and down to the lobby went on for about three or four times and finally got going again. If it hadn't been for him that would have been the end of the computer for us.
The wifi is really fast, as good as Hong Kong so hope it lasts.
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