We went on a 2 night cruise with Pandora Cruises, on a wooden boat, exploring caves, beaches and nearby Cat Ba Island on bike... with a complimentary swig of Snake Wine. I wasn't sure about this, but seeing that no one had dropped dead of poisoning we chugged it back.
Yeah it tasted like it looked... Snake.
Off to Nimh Binh next on a day trip from Hanoi. They call it Halong Bay on land, and I can see why. Mountains rising out of rice paddy fields. Beautiful.
As we left Hanoi for Hue, we get to experience the overnight train travel we've always wanted. Not too bad. We booked a 4 berth bunk room and slept like a log. Enjoying the beef pho on offer and a paid upgrade to a private room where we paid the guard and he kicked the other lady out. Not quite what we were expecting... we thought we were going... oh well, we'll know next time lol.
K