Weekend trip number 3! Anxious for another break from the city, James and I decided to explore the nearby town of Ninh Binh. We had some extra days off for independence day so it was the perfect time for another excursion. Ninh Binh is about 2 hours outside of Hanoi so instead of taking a bus, we embarked on our first motorbike road trip! With traffic and breaks along the way, it took about 3 hours and it was exhilarating. It was also quite uncomfortable for the booty, but the views made it worth while.
On our travels so far we have really lucked out with amazing accommodation and this trip was no exception. Once we arrived in Ninh Binh, we traveled down a narrow, rocky pathway to our homestay. We drove through the hills with rice paddies on either side of us. We also ran into these three little piggies on the way.
The Ninh Binh Panorama Homestay is tucked away in the peaceful mountains, surrounded by endless rock structures and absolute silence. The moment we turned off the motorbike all we could hear were the birds and the bugs buzzing around. There wasn’t a single car horn, motorbike, or even another person nearby. It was perfect. Staying in Hanoi can really take it out of you–the exhausting traffic, the bustling city life, and the pollution all take a take a toll so coming to this pristine natural area was just what the doctor ordered.
After checking in, we chilled out on the hammocks for a bit just soaking up the tranquility. Then we drove to the nearby town of Tam Coc for a late lunch. We didn’t have a ton of time to explore, but James convinced me to visit the Hang Mua caves and hike up 500 steps. Standing at the bottom of the hill it was insanely daunting. If I’m being honest, I thought there was no way I could make it to the top. But with James’s kind support and by keeping a steady pace, I made it! And it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The views were nothing short of incredible once we got a little bit off the ground. On one side of the mountain was a view of Ninh Binh and rice fields for days.
On the other side were mountains for days, the classic natural Vietnamese landscape. It was definitely worth my anxiety I had before starting the climb. We headed down just as the sun was setting and drove back to Tam Coc for a few drinks and dinner. We ended the day with an early bed time as we had to get up early the next morning to head back to Hanoi. Though it was a short trip, it was definitely worth it. Sleeping so close to nature even just for one night was rejuvenating. I have been sick on and off for almost a month now and I woke up the next morning refreshed and without a sore throat! That fresh air really did the trick.
There is still more to explore in Ninh Binh so hopefully we can return soon for another relaxing weekend.
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