We packed up after the tailor left. And our taxi guy arrived on time. Again we booked tickets for flight but so don’t seem to be getting all of my emails. Do Ai wanted to be at the airport a little early. On the ride to the airport we drove by Marble Mountain. There was one of the tall like seven story pagodas and a shrine on the mountain. Our driver asked if we wanted to see it. He thought we had time. We drove to the entrance which was a staircase carved into the marble. We wanted to go to the top, there was even a elevator on the outside of the mountain, but we would have to leave our backpacks in the car. It was a hard decision but safer was better than sorry.
Back on the road again to the airport. We arrived in plenty of time, got our tickets and boarding passes with just a bit of confusion. They have to look us up in their system so it’s extra work. It seems like they just want to pass us off on someone else. We just smile and be quiet and stand there. It worked.
Had a beer and fried springs rolls. Did some more planning for a Halong Bay cruise. Why is it so difficult? Some of the info on the Internet is old or companies have gone out of business or this is low season. We had to send an inquiry to get info then most didn’t answer. Then the flight was delayed and delayed and delayed again. By the time we got to the gate people were angry. The flight attendants gave us water. They were kind. We were delayed 2.5 hours but when the people were getting so mad it seemed that the flight was cancelled! We could have gone to Marble Mountain. We even considered taking a taxi there and back by what if they decided to leave and we would have been screwed. The secret to travel these days is to be flexible, drink beer and have a good book to read.
Flight was an easy 1.5 hours. Negotiations with taxi people. One guy was trying to grab my backpack off of me to put in a car. He got dagger eyes! We knew it would be about 45 min drive but this guy couldn’t find our place. We couldn’t get internet so it was difficult. We finally suggested that he call the hotel I think he called them about 4 times to get direction. He graciously took the 500.000 dong we agreed upon, but was visibly pissed. Hotel was good enough. A little dirty we realized in the morning. We walked down the street to a BBQ place, wine and seafood. Back to hotel, with our own entertainment.
Time for bed. We are both exhausted again!
Travel Pig 