Just when you think you are getting things wired, life happens. The plan for the day was to rent a motorbike and self tour Cat Ba but a steady morning drizzle fizzled that plan. Time to relax, do a few emails and read, then catch a bus to the Hanoi train station for an overnight trip to Phong Nha via Dong Hoi.
The bus was a half hour late (no problem, we leave extra time for his stuff), then the bus drops us off at a ferry, to be picked-up by another late bus 😕 only to be dropped off to catch another bus only to be stuck in Hanoi traffic. 😖 Finally reaching the bus station, we find a cabbie that speaks Vieglish (my word) and negotiate a price to the train station. Whew, getting close, until we get into the cab and there is a driver who knows no Vieglish😆. We block traffic, dodge traffic and pedestrians, ignore lights and swerve our way to the train station in time to make the train😅.
So I splurged and bought two first class sleeper car tickets for the trip, nice! Sort of, we shared the 4 person cabin with two Vietnamese, one that spoke English pretty well. We really enjoy the Vietnamese people, they are gracious and very helpful. The sleeper bed was probably great by Vietnamese standards but was a little short for me and the two inch thick mattress left a little to be desired. But after walking all of the different classes of travel in order to get to the dining car – We really appreciated the “first class”!
Thanks to a couple, (maybe 3) beers – I slept pretty well considering the shaking, noise, mattress and roomies.
Jumping forward, just a quick bus story: We’ve arrived at our place to stay in Phong Nha and decided to catch the local bus into town for dinner. We flag down the bus, literally, and it’s standing room only. Oh well, what do you want for 40 cents. I guess school had just recently let out as the bus was full of students. They all got a great laugh at the big white guy that couldn’t stand straight-up in the bus since the roof was so low – giggles and selfies with big guy……
PS: We really love reading your comments and it’s our easy connection with “home.” We look forward to hearing from you. We really appreciate it!
Thank You!
M&T
Asian Detour 
Really a well written entertaining post you guys! I can really see the cute kids posing with the cuddly California giant! Ha! Have the T of YL’s-oh, you already are 👍
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A great blog. Remember you have to do a program n this trip for Kiwanis. Oh, yes, ikicked Millers but at poker this week..
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Thanks guys for the pics. You’re looking good. Miss you.
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Matt, this is why I live vicariously through your “adventures”. Great descriptors. Loving it.
Holly keeps on the lookout for Levi.
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planes, trains, & automobiles…plus junks, kayaks, scooters, outrigger canoes (what have I missed?) You guys really get around! Miss you lots.
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We are so enjoying your adventure via blog and pictures! What an experience. Sure you are both handling every delay and surprise with the greatest of ease! I wish I knew what you were eating! Do you?
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Love the thought of all the kids laughing at you in the bus! Just a tip Dad; don’t stand up in the kayak… you’ve probably heard that one before (;
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True adventurers….loved your tale of how you arrived at your final destination, Looked like it was worth it…..beautiful!
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I started laughing as soon as I saw that you got a “sleeper” car……knowing the Asian train cars don’t plan for guys like you, Matt….heck, they probably never SEEN a guy like you! thank god for the beer!! glad you are having fun…love watching for the next thing….enjoy!
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Great stories Matt You should seriously consider a writing career. Love the pictures. Bet your getting your fill of PHO!. Thanks fir sharing your adventures Vince is working in Vegas. Nina got all A’s Ali went to see Beau in AZ and Justin was a champ. She got to sit in on Beau classes. Kids all good. You guys be safe
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The “sleeper” may have been small, but I noticed they had fresh flowers in your room/closet. That’s important right? What a fun adventure. I look forward to the next post. Love it.
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I need a map to see where all these places are on the route. The names all seem to be the same!
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