Ninh Binh, Vietnam - Tam Coc - Day 6

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Good Morning!


Today will be my last day here is Ninh Binh, Tam Coc. I have a reservation for a night sleeper bus to Hue late tonight. 

I have been working on my travel itinerary for the rest of my time in Vietnam before flying to Bangkok on April 20. I think I have it all planned out now. First stop Hue at the Nam Dalat doesn't show on the map, it is up the mountain west of Na Tran) Phuong Riverside Villa, the on March 29 to Danang, followed by Quy Nhon on April 2, Up the mountain a little to Dalat on April 8 (, then finally to Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) on April 15 for a few days before flying to Bangkok on April 20.

After hearing and digesting travel stories I hear from fellow travelers, I spend hours hunched over my laptop researching to see how I can fit destinations into my travel itinerary.

This illustration is a railway map and although all my travel to date has been via bus, I hope to schedule some trips by rail while still here in Vietnam.

Yesterday was a pretty relaxed day. I rode my rental motorbike further into the valley I am staying in, then later up to the main strip where I enjoyed a fresh fruit smoothy overlooking the lake. I have posted a video of this on my YouTube page:  https://youtube.com/shorts/asgrY89COB4

After my smoothy I came into the valley to explore a little more. Yesterday a fellow traveller staying at my home stay said he ate at a nearby restaurant that served authentic alternative foods. He mentioned snake, snails, wild birds and more.

I stopped by the restaurant early in the date, planning to me the guy later for dinner. 


The staff was so nice. even though I hadn't bought anything, they invited me and a few girls from France to enjoy a cup of Vietnamese tea, a shot of local spirits (whiskey) and a durian flavored cookie.


Because the restaurant staff spoke little English, the girls from France and myself spoke no Vietnamese, the restaurant owner used 2 cell phones simultaneously to translate both the English and French.

The guy I was supposed to eat with met some people in town to play pickle ball with. He said he would be back at 7:30 to go eat. 7:30 came and went so I went to eat by myself. 

I didn't order snake or wild birds, they were all a bit pricey. I ordered fried noodles with chicken.

Today, is packing day. My bus to Hue doesn't leave until 10:30 pm, so I have the day to laze around.


I had breakfast at the home stay, then packed up. Loaded my baggage and myself on the motor bike and headed to the main road to drop off the motor bike (due back at 11am) and drop my bags at the travel agent where I will meet the bus.

It is still early, but now I only have 10 hours to fill before the bus picks me up.

I went walking for awhile, but I could feel my planter faciitus grumbling the background. That's when I noticed a massage parlor across the street. (one of many) So I went over the check the prices for a foot massage. They offered 30, 45 and 60 minute foor massages. I opted for the 30 minute foor massage for 200,000 dong (with tip still less than $8 usd). I thought it would be rude to take a picture of the foot massage, plus I know some have an aversion to seeing feet on display, so no picture. I can say the massage was wonderful and ease the treat of my planters faciitus somewhat. 


After the foot massage, I decided on a restaurant to get a bit to eat. I selected it partly because I saw they had a bathroom. In my advanced years, I am always on the lookout of the next bathroom.

I decided on their delux bahn mi that came with meatballs, chicken, pate and extra veggies. This was more typical of the American version of bahn mi sold in places like Hawaii and San Francisco.

After lunch I headed back to the travel agency to find a place to sit and update my blog. In progress as I write.


It just happens that the travel agency is manned by Bao, the son of the ower of the home stay I was staying at. I didn't know this until I showed up this morning and he was sitting at the desk.



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