After having buffet breakfast at Hanoi Boutique hotel, we checked out from the hotel and got on the group tour bus for Ninh Binh. We were to visit 3 places as part of the tour.
Our first location was Bai Dinh pagoda. We had almost an hour here, but to really cover the entire place end to end without rushing would definitely take half a day. We had an electric vehicle to take us from the entrance until the pagoda. The structure is huge with lots of steps and multiple sites to cover. We ended up spending less time for pictures and more time to run through.
By the time we finished here and got back on the bus, it was lunch time. Buffet lunch was arranged at Trang An bungalow.
Our next stop was at Trang An for boating. A relaxing boat ride in row boats that goes through multiple caves and have beautiful temples. We were 4 on a boat and the boats were all operated by women.
Our next stop was Hang Mua. This is a slightly strenuous trek up a hill having around 500 steps on top of which you will see a dragon.
After we descended from Hang Mua, our luggage was transferred to a private vehicle to take us to our stay for the night, Tam Coc Valley bungalow. The bus we came in was taking the people back to Hanoi.
Our stay was at a very welcoming family run place. It was around 7pm by the time we checked in. Our host gave us free bicycles to explore the place and also to get dinner from Tam Coc. There was no restaurant at the hotel. Cycling was fun especially around Tam Coc lake.
We had Banh mi, a Vietnamese baguette, a slightly light dinner. The dinner turned out to be pretty lighter than what I wanted, i was hungry by night. We had to adjust with a fruit and some chips which we had handy. Then we had a sound sleep.
Offbeat Scribbles 