11 January 2013
Breakfast awaits us as we cruise past a picturesque fishing village on our way back to the port and then on back to Hanoi stopping en route at a disabled workshop where they produce exquisite embroidery and lacquerware.
The ladies decided that we were in need of a massage so we asked at our hotel reception back in Hanoi if there was one nearby. They had a spa as part of the hotel chain and would pay for the taxi transfer. We were somewhat bemused when we were dropped off outside the hospital fearing that they had misunderstood us. But we were efficiently met and ushered in via the waiting rooms and gowned and stethoscoped staff through to the lift where we emerged at Orthopaedic Surgery and Massage. A group of giggling “Xin chaos” greeted us as we were shepherded into a changing room to be fitted in unflattering pink elasticized skirts to be worn up under our armpits and matching slippers. Despite the unusual start to this activity we were treated to an excellent massage complete with hot rocks to warm us as the air conditioning was malfunctioning.
An hour later relaxed and glowing we were returned back at our hotel where we have time to sort ourselves out a bit before venturing forth again into the chaos to see a Water Puppet performance.
Dinner afterwards was a bizarre affair as we sat at an almost outdoor restaurant wearing hats scarves and gloves in front of a Christmas tree complete with fake snow.
For this and other similar tours see:
Explore Asia with Intrepid Travel
(a range of different travel styles – see my post on travel styles)
Peregrine Adventures (Comfort tours)
Geckos Adventures (for 18 to 30s)
Note: After people telling me they had booked an Intrepid Tour on my recommendation, I now have affiliate links with the Intrepid Travel group of companies and may receive a commission if you book a tour online within a couple of months after clicking through to these sites. So if you are enjoying my tips and stories and finding them useful in choosing your own travel, please click on these links and help me to bring you more ☺.
Leave a Reply