Hanoi and Bai Tu Long Bay
On the way to Hanoi we had our version of a celebrity sighting. We were in line next to, and on the same flight as, Uyen Ninh, who Mira apparently loves and follows on the interweb. She got a picture with her and it made the entire flight more exciting.
We spent several nights in Hanoi and loved it! It was during the 50th anniversary of reunification between north and south Vietnam and they closed the roads near our hotel for one big street party. We watched live music, the kids rode motorized tricycle-type bikes, and we saw a music video being filmed. We also hung out at the nearby lake where there was lots of action and dancing. The kids even took a cyclo ride one night. None of that, however, compares to the fact that we found a nearby pizza place with pizza that was as good, or even better than (gasp!), our favorite local place in Brooklyn. It was disorienting. We also stocked up on yarn for projects on our cruise (see below).
Then we spent two nights on a cruise of Bai Tu Long Bay, which is basically the same as Ha Long Bay but further away and therefore much less crowded. As Mira says, “It was majestic!” Our rooms were beautiful with epic views that I could have stared at for hours, and did.
We went kayaking a couple times, visited a cave within one of the small islands, and Dennis took a boat trip to visit a remote oyster farm community that produces pearls and jewelry. We had incredible and varied Vietnamese food throughout. There was no wifi which was the best; it forced everyone to do crafts and talk to each other. The kids lived their best life with Dev really taking it up a notch by wearing the official cruise silk robe all over the boat (even to our last dinner) and getting a massage.
Next we are off to a brief Japan visit.
This Is Not Brooklyn. 