Oct 31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! So weird that it is Halloween and I am in Vietnam. Apparently they kind of celebrate it here but I think it is mostly for the tourists/college kids. Left for the airport to fly to Hanoi at 5 am! These early mornings don’t even phase me anymore I have done it so many times. After a two-hour flight we hopped on a bus for a three-hour drive to Ha Long Bay. On the way our tour guide Hip gave us some history of Vietnam. Mostly overview of the French/Japanese rule, some of the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Mihn's biography and some recent facts (80% of the population lives in rural areas, 60% of the population is under the age of 30, there is a 90% literacy rate). We made a pit stop half way through the trip to a rice field of a village that had been affected by Agent Orange. Hip pointed out the people have recovered the plantation fields and have been able to harvest rice successfully. Got to see them work up close, which was kind of neat. I slept most of the way but every now and then I would open my eyes and see village towns, a lot of open space, plants, brick factories, and rice fields. Arrived in Ha Long Bay by 1pm.  Had some lunch and then got to rest for a bit. Hop offered to take us over the bridge to the local market to get a taste of village life. The market was so cool. There was so much live and fresh stuff. Literally squids, crabs, fish, prawn, and so much more just sitting in buckets ALIVE. All the people were awed by us because tourists don’t come out to this area. The view of the water was gorgeous and picturesque with all the fisherman boats. Next to the food market was a mall like building with just tons and tons of venders of all the “Same, Same but Different” stuff. It is so overwhelming. The Vietnamese have no problem grabbing your arm and pulling you over to their shop. Bought a rice hat that came in handy with all the rain and to stay cool. Went back to rest before dinner. Dinner was awful! After went to a night market with Devyn and her mom. Again just browsing and helping them pick stuff out. Called it an early night 1. Because there were no bars in the area 2. We had an early and long day tomorrow