Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Cat Ba Island, Vietnam



We were millionaires! But as they say, easy come, easy go.
After getting great beta at the Sydney Airport from Slo Pony’s climbing website we were off to Vietnam. Upon arriving, Dave bartered for our first cab ride to a bus station in the city, and after an hour wait for a three hour bus, 40min bus, 40min boat ride followed by a final 40min bus we landed on the streets of Cat Ba. Although the trip seemed epic we got completely excited when towering limestone walls and islands began to appear in the night shadows.

Our hotels were comfy costing only 150,000 dong per night, which works out to $10, and our motorbike rental was only $4/day. I think we were renting someones personal bike for the day, because once we returned the bike at night the gentleman was waiting and was probably finished work for the day.
Beer was $1, and Vietnamese style meals (Pho, noodles, spring rolls) $3…life was even cheaper if you were good at getting bargains.



Due to the rain and drizzle we climbed at Butterfly Valley most days, with completely dry 20-30m routes from warm up to project. We were psyched to flash our hardest grades, even though they were a bit soft…we’ll take it!
Another great climbing day included a boat trip near Halong Bay, to an island called “The Face”. We kayaked to The Face and danced our way up two 30m climbs, 7a, 7a+. Our new friends, Peter (South African), Dennis, Dave, and Mat (Aussies) shared in the adventure of boating past small viet floating villages, being amazed by the limestone features, and climbing melting limestone features. We hung out with these good blokes often, bar hoping, playing games, climbing and dining.


We experienced lots of culture including cooking in a Vietnamese kitchen (in hindsight, not a good idea), singing karaoke in a local kitchen to a Vietnamese family, motorbiking around Cat Ba Island, drinking “snake juice” at the local bar, being cracked by a Traditional Viet. Massage Therapist, and visiting the Hanoi night market and dodging traffic to cross the street.


We survived that adventure and have started another one in Thailand. Now the vacation starts with climbing, beaching, swimming, eating delicious thai food for $2 and relaxing all of the time.

More on Thailand later…we need a refreshing swim.
xo

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