Ninh Binh

 Old and Ancient

 Day 2 saw us doing some activities in and around Hanoi city including a short trip to the suburban town; Ninh Binh. That's the beauty of not having to plan and putting up with transport and food. Quan, the fluent speaker of English told us that though the town was a mere 100 km away, it would take us 2 hours plus to arrive; the reason being the road is narrow and speed limit was capped at 80km an hour.

 So, the journey began after the famous pho' noodle soup for breakfast.

 Ninh Binh is old filled with skinny buildings and old practices. Some of the old buildings are derelicts but the charm still exists. I cannot but notice too that values have slowly merged with modern demands and money talks here too.Several stalls were set up for the tourists and it's buy and buy.

 Perhaps you can guess the attraction here with the 'soat' connotation. It may have some connection to the boat? The vowels are all used with that extra stroke above them to connote different meanings and usage; so we were informed by Quan.

 Yes, it's boat time again.

Somehow South East Asian tours have cruises and boats to their claim. 

The Mekong has a connection right through all the lands from North to South and East to West. 

So, when in Thailand, Kemboja, Laos or Vietnam, the Mekong is close by. 

When there are water and rivers, there are bound to be cruises in the agenda.

 The first thing you will observe is that the Vietnamese are really skinny and very fit. No extra fats here and there; not with the types of activities they are involved in. They are hard padi farmers, boat people, art and craft makers and the rest are associated with the tourism industry. They are very hardworking.

Their kayaking and rowing skills have become in borne and they row with little effort with their feet. They have good exercise even when working; what a better way to stay fit. Most of them do not rest on their laurels as they carry more than one vocation to support the family. 

 Quan said Ninh Binh is a prelude to Halong Bay as it is famously known as 'Halong Bay in the ricefields.'. The scenery is captivating and the outcrops tell of the consequences of platonic movements and sedimentation processes.

The outcrops have geographical tales to tell.

 

 You will savour in the slow and pleasant cruise as the boatman peddles through caves and watch activities along the Ngo Dong river.

 The ladies seem to be the earners of the home. Where are the men? In the rice fields? They do embroidery while waiting for tourists to buy their goods on top of peddling the boat.

'Halong Bay in the rice fields'.

Notice the rice stalks and the indigenous lotus plant.

These two crops are the mainstay of the land.

 As we ponder at the padi stalks we could not help but be attracted to the red coloured 'bubbles' popping out of the stalks. What are they ? Snails.Yes, baby snails which will grow into full fledged ones in time.

 The snails must be feeding on the weeds which grow so naturally in the waters.

 Another so very natural part of the picture; ducks. The ducks are aplenty here; so I remember the story that where there are rice fields, there are bound to be ducks. Where there are ducks, there are bound to be duck embryos delicacy !

 Yaks. Not on my life.

 A cruise along the river is really interesting as you connect the flora and fauna. Here the geese become the protectors of the place. I was told that in the absence of dogs, the geese act as policemen; informing their masters of impending theft and robbery. What a role. Not only beautiful to look at; useful too.

 What do you see now? Yes, goats.What are they for?

 'As sure-footed as a goat' so says the word. Up there 3 goats have made their home; the boatman told us. But one is already missing; so there are two left. Can you see them? Stretch your eyes. Just 2 dots.

 We had goat meat for lunch.

Verdict. Not for me anymore.

 Though works have stopped for a while, efforts have picked up to further develop the new project to boost tourism here. Tourists soon can put up nights along the river and enjoy the scenic beauty and outdoor activities. So, next time include a night at Tam Coc for good pleasure.

The trip occupied a full half day but it was back to basics.