Summary of my Long Trip

2014, May The Long Trip - THE END

This is the end. Almost 2 months passed from the day I finished my trip. I must say I did what I planned to do. Now I wanted to present a short movie summing it up. My trip started in September 2013 in New Zeeland. Afterwards, I visited China, South Korea, Japan, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Australia which took almost 6 months. I spent an amazing time and met a lot of incredible people. Some of my adventures can be founded on my blog. 
Enjoy the movie! I need to find a new destination - any idea?

Halong Bay part II

2014 January, The Long Trip - Vietnam, Halong Bay

More pictures from Halong Bay.
It was hard to find information about the cheapest way to see it. Everybody kept saying that they decided to take a more expensive trip instead of the cheapest one. I took the cheapest option and it was enough for me. A half a day trip during which I visited the most important places and one cave.
To get back to Hanoi, firstly, I took a bus number 3 to the Bus Terminal Bai Chay which cost 7,000.00 VND (0.24 e). Buses or minivans going to Hanoi can be found both inside the bus station and parked arround it. Once more, better check everything before you sit on your seat on the bus as even if they sell you a ticket to one terminal the bus will go to a place marked on the front window. The same day I went to the airport in Hanoi as the next day in the morning was my flight to Thailand.

The rock is on the 200,000VND bank note

Fisherman house

Shop

Boat terminal

Bus no. 3 to Bai Chay

The street near the Bai Chay Terminal 

Halong Bay part I

2014 January, The Long Trip - Vietnam, Halong Bay

From Hanoi there is an option to take a tourist bus with a tour (1 or 2 days trip) the prices stars from 22 USD. Second option is to do it on your own. I decided to do it on my own.
From Luong Yen bus terminal there is a but to Bai Chay (Halong Bay) second option is a bus from Giam La. I took the bus from Luong yen. It should be 3,5h ride but it took almost 6h. We spent a lot in Hanoi trying to pick up as many passengers as it was possible. There are many buses around 4 buses per hour and they go to different location. Do not trust when you buy the ticket - better check what is on the bus and wait for another. The bus costs 100,000.00 (3.5e). Mine stopped on the main road outside Halong Bay and i walked around 3 km. 
In Halong Bay there are many hostels and hotels with reasonable prices. I paid for my room 250,000.00 VND (8.7e) per night. the next day I took a 4 hours boat trip. I took a normal boat without agency and it costs 100,000.00 VND (3.5e) plus there is entrance fee + 1 cave 170,000.00 (5.9e).

Cave Thien Cung

Hanoi - B52 and Water Puppet Show

2014 January, The Long Trip - Vietnam, City of Hanoi



I went for a walk to the West lake to see Tran Quoc Pagoda. It was closed but I had enough of pagodas so it was a good idea to see it only from outside. Near the lake were many fishermen. It seemed there were plenty of fish because they were successful almost every few minutes.
I also heard that in one lake you can find half-sunk an American bomber B52. It was easy to find this place as there is a museum of B52. It is located on Doi Can street. Unfortunately, the B52 is no longer in the lake. It was moved to the museum. They are very proud that they have this bomber here.




In the evening it was time for Thang Hong Water Puppet Theatre. It became a tourist must see attraction so it's better to buy tickets in advance. What's so special about it is that the scene is actually a pond full of water! An hour long show consisted of short episodes depicting village life or some old legends.Puppets were mostly wooden. Some of them were playing tricks, ie. swimming, spitting water, spinning and so on. The artists behind the scene are very talented. I believe it must be hard to control those puppets from behind bamboo mats. 

Tran Quoc Pagoda

The B52 is here

B52

Thang Hong Puppet Theatre

Thang Hong Puppet Theatre