On January 2nd, after our bike arrived to Hanoi by train, we started driving to Halong Bay, and managed to get lost several times on the way, since road indications were merely non-existent. We both were covered with mud from passing trucks and busses. It was the first day, when fun of driving with a bike was very conditional - mud all over and freezing even in a warm bubble of winter jacket, hat, mask, glasses and gloves. I looked like I was going to conquer North pole and unite with polar bears and pinguins...
Next day we took a boat trip around Halong Bay: it's nature is very beautiful, with all those rocks in different shades of grey, foggy sea, floating fishermen's villages and wooden boats all around. The trip itself was very relaxing. Since currently it's off-season, many boats have only few travellers on board. We, for example, shared our boat with just one couple from the US.
Meanwhile we stayed for 2 more days in Halong Bay, trying to sell off the bike. We decided to end our bike odyssey in Vietnam and continue by plane to China and Hong Kong, since weather conditions are not very favourable, and we would probably have much trouble crossing over the Chinese border by bike. Selling the bike was indeed an experience. I think Ilkka has more to report than me, but myself was e.g. participating in bargaining with a brothel owner in Ha Long, a quite attractive young woman. Unfortunately, her offer was too low. She didn't get our bike :)
We didn't find a buyer in Halong, and headed back to Hanoi. Now our bike is in good hands, our pockets full of USD, and tomorrow we're flying over to Shanghai :) I am happy to leave this communist country with red flags all over the place, and head over to another one - but hopefully with a bit more of capitalism flair...
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