214: Halong Bay, Vietnam from the 1000 places to see before you die book

Its a dog ear rather than a rip out the page for this one- albeit it didnt start off too well- a rather dull 4 hour road journey (getting better however at doing tours so I booked a private driver who didnt speak English and thankfully therefore didnt get the pitter patter the entire way down) and them arrived to a cloudy, grey harbour which was the take-off point for Halong Bay.

The boat looked rather magnificent though so it started to look up

Upon arrival we were greeted with a cold drink which was fab as it was damm hot and given lunch while our luggage was taken to the room.

The windows were a delight- windows overlooking the water so you could lie in aircon comfort and watch the passing scenery.

And the big deck to lounge on

We then putted off to our first destination

That afternoon I went on an hour long kayaking trip around the limestone islands

and then proceeded to work my way through 15 wines at wine tasting on the deck while the sun set

After a night of squid fishing the next morning saw a trip to the floating village nearby

and a trip to a limestone cave. "Tastfully" lit (beloww) is Happy Buddha Rock

and then a long hard work climb to the top of the mountain to take in the view of Halong Bay

The summation- definate worthwhile inclusion in the 1000 places to see before you die book

213: Sapa, Vietnam from the "1000 places to see before you die" book

Id always dreamed of a long first class train journey in some exotic location. Gin and tonics in swanky gear in a bar chatting to interesting people as we meandered through the countryside, waking up on 1000 thread cotton sheets in aircon splendour and lazily watching the landscape unfurl through the window, a few stops on the way where cold towels greeted us as we alighted for a few hours at some fabulous location, the smell of varnished and polished teak wood with dim Parisian lamps on tables, flowers scenting the airconditioned hallways. At least...thats what a train journey meant to me.

And so it was in two minds that I decided to venture to the north-west corner of Vietnam on the border with China to visit the town of Sapa...and joy oh joy the only way of getting there was by train.  The research on the trains was short and sweet- theres a normal train- hard and soft seat (here's the hard seat)

which clearly didnt fit into my Orient Express fantasy....or go on the train run by the resort that I was staying at the Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa. And so it was a call to my concierge service Quintessentially to get the whole thing sorted.

What a pleasure- cold towel on arrival, icy cold room beckoning me after the muggy heat of Hanoi, a fabulous cabin, a brilliant dining room open all night for the 8 hour journey with fresh flowers and western background music, fabulous cocktails and great food. Only thing was, I was unswankily clothed after a plane flight and 6 hours traipsing around the Old City of Hanoi and too tired to talk to fellow passengers.

In the dining car having a pre dinner cocktail

my lovely cabin

8 hours later after a steaming pot of coffee, eggs and bacon and some fab conversation with fellow guests we embarked at Sapa where I promptly jumped on a motorbike and went up and down a few hills checking out some waterfalls.

But the highlight of Sapa is its weekend Saturday market. The surrounding hill tribes come in from far away to sell their wares and catch up with their girlfriends- all dressed in their traditional garb.

The next day we ventured to the Flower Mong people's market in the nearby town of Bac Ha.

A definate entry into the 1000 places to see before you die book