Hanoi - Sapa Valley + Halong Bay

I start this post with my favourite photo of the trip. These two brothers were sitting beside a shop selling handicrafts, each with a plastic bag with snacks and candy. I instantly thought of some guy who told us not to give them candy because village people in Sapa Valley don't receive dental care. 

Most people give in to handing them candy treats so they don't have to feel guilty about not buying bracelets or handicrafts from these barefoot children. 

Sapa Valley was my favourite part of the trip because it was so idyllic. We would wake up to fresh mountain air, go for a trek in the mountains, come back to snuggle in bed and then go out for really good steamboat for dinner and KTV with the locals. Hanoi was alright, maybe because we didn't explore it much or maybe cos I'm just not a city person. 

We started our Hanoi journey with a visit to Tea Talk Cafe, owned by a Singaporean named Michael. He and his family have lived in Hanoi for years and started a social enterprise to help orphaned youths.

We ordered a few of their best dishes. Chicken rice was my favourite. 

All our tired plane faces. We'd come here straight from the airport. 

If you're in Hanoi and would like to visit Tea Talk to know more about Michael's charity organization, please do! He's very friendly and would love to meet anyone who comes through his doors.

Website: http://teatalkvietnam.blogspot.sg/ 

Streets of Hanoi 

Apparently, it's common for people to sit down on short stools for a nice cup of hot coffee, while facing the street and people watch. 

North Face shops everywhereeee. We got ourselves a nice jacket each cos it was colder than we expected. 

There aren't as many motorbikes in Hanoi than in Ho Chi Minh so the air wasn't too bad. 

Peeked into their wholesale market. Looked daunting so we exited almost immediately after walking through it for 2 minutes.

Our friend in Hanoi brought us to taste their exclusively-Hanoi ice cream. So cold already still eat ice cream??? Hahaha, Ya all not scared. 

It wasn't that tasty to be honest. 

Found this really interesting. Hanoi weddings are commonly held on the sidewalks. So this literally was on a sidewalk!!! We saw many of these wedding set ups all around Hanoi. 

You really gotta find this place, and get yourself a bowl of their beef noodles!!! It's the best bowl of Pho I've ever had. Pho originated from Hanoi, so where else better to get authentic beef noodles!! 

After a day in Hanoi, we boarded our overnight train ride to Sapa Valley. The beds are just wide enough for a grown man, probably a little awkward if you were traveling alone cos there's only space for 2 people to stand around in in the cabin at any one time. 

Sapa Valley 

I miss this place so much! 

My little devil of a brother enjoying his hot cup of lipton tea. 

On our 2nd day of trekking, a group of village people followed us on our tour without asking us to buy things. We were curious why there were so many of them, but then later on found out they were there to help us down muddy, slippery slopes during the trek. 

Heading to the start of the trek. Passing by many cafes, restaurants, and (fake) North Face shops. 

Saw many wild boars along the way. They are SO fun to watch haha. 

Deceiving start of the trail. I thought it'd be steps all the way. I was so wrong. 

There are around 6-8 people in each group, accompanied by one guide. Our guide was a 19 year old pregnant girl (her 2nd kid btw) who spoke very good English, considering she learnt it by speaking to tourists. 

Everyone was so fascinated with the wild boars haha. They're damn smelly but also very cute. 

Brought to someone's home to see how to live. Houses are really dark and damn cold idk how they survive during winter. But it's pretty cool, every house has a 'sewing machine' so they all make their own coats and clothing. Also, most women learn to make handmade pouches, bags to sell to tourists. 

Reached the waterfall! It wasn't one where you could swim in, probably cos it was freezing. But we saw some villagers bathing (??) and doing the laundry down stream. 

Cutie pie #1 

Cutie pies #2 and #3 

Obviously didn't give a shit about me. Kept staring at the snacks in some passerby's hand. 

Lunch included in the tour. 

Our 19 year old guide! We gifted her a jacket and she kept saying "This is so expensive! I can buy 2 of these from another shop" But we knew she would never buy anything for herself. She's working everyday to save money so her 21 year old husband can go to high school. Girl power or what??? 

The aunties who were following us at the start of the trip. 

They were our life savers when we reached the muddy slopes. No way you could go downhill without holding on to them. 

My guide! She is so adorable. Kept smiling and asking me if I were ok. 

Muddy trails everywhere. 

HAHA. Look at him. He fell like twice and dirtied his jeans cos he didn't want to hold on to his guide. 

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is so snores seriously. Like how Angkor Wat was so boring. Think you can't go to these places without knowing some background info. And cos i didn't know shit, it was so boring. 

Anyway, this was our lunch served on our cruise while we visited a few places, mostly we cruised to look at different islands and rock formations. 

They called this the 'Kissing chickens'. 

This place was pretty cool down. Quite a big cave with really cool looking stalagmites and stalactites. . 

" Can you please......stop it" 

That's it for Hanoi!