Home to enterprising locals- everyone’s active
Every day is an adventure in the most bustling city we have travelled to lately. There is nothing like Hanoi. Reminiscent of the bustle of India but a level up to China and Taiwan. It is one of a kind. A home to very enterprising and hardworking locals, everyone’s on to something. Whether frying donuts, peddling fruit carts, pushing cyclos, offering massages. Everyone is busy and there is not a single beggar sighted in our daily saunter around the city. It is intense and very chaotic in most parts of the storied Old Quarter. But then it is delightful chaos especially when dealing with locals who are friendly, sharp and helpful.
Onwards to Ninh Binh with amazing guide Happy
One of my favorite parts of the trip was the hike up to a mountain two hours north of Hanoi – Ninh Binh. Being mesmerised by a panorama of limestone mountains with a river running around it. It was quite lush this time of the year, the vista was simply breathtaking. Being led by a tour guide named Happy who made sure we leave with optimal happiness at the end of the day in Ninh Binh. We did. 
Another favorite was cycling the temple path in Ninh Binh and passing through a flooded street barefoot. Something I
Another favorite was cycling the temple path in Ninh Binh and passing through a flooded street barefoot. Something I
have not done before and did not expect to do. I was feeling anxious and reluctant , but it needed to be done or risk being left behind. As it turned out, it was ok. Bikes can deal with puddles and flood waters, sigh.
Not for the faint-hearted: Train St.
Another was the heart-stopping Train St. I cannot begin to describe the intensity of the moment when spectators were excitedly awaiting the passing train. It was loud and vibrating. It was overwhelmingly huge and wide, the speeding train was probably a couple of inches away from us. I did not dare turn my head the first time. It felt like the slightest move would mean disaster 
. But no one was harmed while watching the train pass in a span of a few minutes. We all left on a high note – with a throbbing heart and for me, a sense of relief. Not for the faint-hearted.
. But no one was harmed while watching the train pass in a span of a few minutes. We all left on a high note – with a throbbing heart and for me, a sense of relief. Not for the faint-hearted.There are so many other things noteworthy about Hanoi. So many. Let this be a sampler of what awaits when you visit. It oozes with palpable energy and unexplainable mystery. It emanates life.
I want to experience it for myself one day
Hi Joey! it will be so worth the trip and am pretty sure you’ll have fun.