Johan and I wanted to go outside Ha Noi to shoot some photos but we never made it. Sick kids, deadlines, school stuff etc have put an stop to it. But finally we could do it. Thursday morning we jumped on our motobikes and took of to Hòa Bình (at least it said so on google map), south west of Ha Noi.

It was a strange feeling when we got to the first village. In about 300 meters a two lane road shifted to a tiny little village road and, it seemed like we had nowhere to go. We had to go through the village on really small roads and alleys to get to the other side where we found agricultural areas. It was nice to get out to the countryside. I miss that a lot. Going through the greenery finally led us to the village Hòa Bình.

This day was very hot. When we left it was kind of cloudy so I did not bring a long sleeved shirt. Bad mistake. My arms was really red in the evening. Hòa Bình had of course a Bia Hoi (pub). It was just noticeable. We had to ask if it was a bia hoi and not someones living room. After the run in the sun it was heaven to drink their beer. Soo nice and cool. And soo cheap (5000 VND=1,5 SEK), so we decided to drink two. 

On our way home we stopped at Van Phuc silk village. Both Johan and I found nice silk pajamas. Like the ones the old Vietnames guys wear out on the streets in the evenings. It´s very comfortable.  I found out today that its not silk and I will probably go back and complain. Why is it always such a hustle to buy things in Vietnam? Anyway - the pajamas is very comfortable even if it´s not silk.

We will definitely do a trip like this again. It was a lot of fun.

Read and see more from the trip by clicking the link "read more" down to your right.

During Kaye´s visit we also went up to the mountains. Tam Dao was close enough for a day trip. Cecilia and David joined us.

It´s a bit tricky to get the boys motivated for a walk in the sticks. But I think they enjoyed the view and fresh cool air. And all the bugs you could find along the path. They were happy at least until they got hungry. We tried the walk 4 km to the waterfall but the snacks we  brought for the kids wasn´t enough. We had to turn back to feed them at the local restaurants. Maybe next time we have learned our lesson.

At a quick look Tam Dao´s like a small alpine village in France. The tiny serpentine roads going up the mountain, narrow but high houses on the slopes. Very beautiful. I would like to go there and stay over a weekend. I think there is a nice resort on the slopes somewhere. With a pool.

If you want  you can read more and look at pics at the link "read more" down below to your right.

Daytrip to Bat Trang. Kaye, Carols sister, likes pottery a lot. She bought a big urn. Not to bring as checked in luggage. We have to bring it home in our container when we move back to Sweden.

The boys tried to make muggs on a turner. It was difficult for them. But they had a great time and a lot of attention from other visitors at the factory. As usual the kids also painted already made pottery at the market while the adults strolled around buying pottery. Thank you ladies for keeping that work shop for the kids.

If you want to see how it went at the turner, click the link "read more" down to your right.

Well, you can´t get enough of Hoi An. We took Kaye there for a couple of days and I hope she enjoyed it as much as we did. Beach, wine, drinks and nice food. What more do you need to keep Kaye happy?! (Maybe a golf course)

We stayed at Little Boutique Hotel and Spa. In town for a change. Usually we stay by the beach. I can highly recommend this hotel. Very nice and friendly staff that did everything to help. When we´ve stayed by the beach we have´nt had enough time to explore old town. We wanted to change that by staying in town. After the really good buffe breakfast at the hotel we headed out to An Bang beach (15 min by taxi) and in the afternoon we headed back to town. I was a little worried that the kids would´nt like to stay in town. But the hotel had a nice little pool that did the trick. (We also bribed them with pocket money to spend in town.)

This time I went on my second photo tour with Hoianphototour.com. A late afternoon tour to a small village outside Hoi An. Looked kind of untouched by tourists. And as always Vietnamese people love to be photographed. A good opportunity to practice street photography in the country side. After the village we took the boat back to town for some low light photography on the streets in old town.

This day the guy who owns the tour company (Etienne) had his grand opening of his gallery. We where invited to go there by Pieter the tour guide/teacher. It was very nice and Etienne looked very happy to see us novices coming to his grand opening. Etienne had taken some pretty nice pics. I wish I can get that good.

If you want to see pictures (mine) and read some more, just click on the link "read more" down to your right.