One last Vietnam post. We did a day tour to Ninh Binh, which is a couple hours away from Hanoi.

The first stop was at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. It was quite pretty. We learned some history.

I had to wear one of their skirts to go into the temple area and it was extremely non-breathable and I had rivers of sweat running down my back. Why is it always so hot when we visit temples?

The next stop was fun! We got bicycles from Trang An Homestay and biked around for about half an hour in really beautiful landscape. The bikes were a little sketchy on the gravel paths, but it was super flat and the breeze felt amazing.

Apparently they filmed King Kong here.

Then we had a buffet lunch, where they encouraged us to eat as much as possible, because the next stop would be ultra relax. We went to Tam Coc and got rowed around on a boat for like 2 hours by Vietnamese ladies.

They paddle the boats with their feet.

It was very beautiful and chill.

Some parts you go right through the karsts.

And then finally we went to Mua Caves to climb the 500 Steps. It was quite crowded, but the views were spectacular!

Scott had a hard time with the heat. We were both verrrrry sweaty.

The views from the top in the other directions were incredible as well. So lush and green.

This is where we went on the boat earlier in the day!

After chugging some Vietnamese electrolyte drinks, we got back on the bus, very tired and sweaty, and headed back to Hanoi. It was a fun day!