The second day, the 27th, we went on a tour to the Perfume Pagoda. Wake up at 7.00, picked up by a guide, small walk to the bus, and off we went. A three hour busride thru vietnam. The roads are amazing, and the traffic handling even more. Arriving at the Perfume river a boat ride followed, 4 persons per boat, for an hour or so. The on a island a hour walk uphill followed. The stairs were put ther in the 17th century by monks. Viewing varoius pagodas on the way we arrived a the main pagoda that was situated in a cave, with the ceiling covered with stalagtites. Its an impressive sight. Then a the way back by walking, boating and bus. Arrived back in Hanoi arround 19.00, picked up our packs from the hotel, had a quick dinner and went off to the train station to take a 10(!) hour train ride to Lao Cai, leaving at 22.00. We slept during the ride, arriving arround 6.00. There was a transfer waiting to bring us to Sa Pa.

First impression: very busy indeed. The roades are cluttered with moto’s, and they are driving like crazy. Crossing a road means just walking into the mass of moto’s, walking slowly to the other side. The moto’s will then find there way arround you, its amazing. Next day breakfast in the hotel room, bread, coffee and juice. Then a walk thru the Old Quarter. Thats amazing to. All the streets have some theme. So there is a street with silk shops, a street with metal workers, one with sweets, decorations, grave stones, buddha’s, food and so on. All that in small shops, and mainly on the street. Food and fruit stalls everywhere. There are also females who sell food from baskets hanging from their shoulders. Later in the day we went for a lunch in a typicla Hanoi restaurant, we were the only tourists there. Then to the famous Water Puppet Theatre. That was a nice experience, see the photo section later. After that an other dinner, in a verry nice restaurant, Box It. This was very modern and with a loungy style. Good food, and the service was perfect, we talked a little bit with the waiter and learned a few words vietnamese. Cam on = thank you, Xin cao = hello. Then back to the hotel (it was 01.00) and decided to to take a tour to the Perfume Pagode the next morning.