After checking out and having a quick breakfast we were picked up at our hotel and slumbered the better part of the three and a half our drive to Ha Long. Our friendly, but energetic guide seemed rather slow in learning our nationalities I thought since he kept referring to Germans and there were none present. It was only later I realized he was saying Gentlemen, but I digress. We had settled for the medium price option, a company called Oriental Sails which promised good food as well as a safe journey. There were plenty of other boats and some obviously catered to the more adventurous/cost-focused crowd.

Ha Long Bay was beautiful with the many limestone islands but the sky was grayish (most photos will probably end up in b/w). We had a lovely lunch, with the anticipated overly priced drinks and a few hours later we visited some cave where the guides, as usual, have found rock-formations looking similar to half the local fauna and a few mythical beasts as well. I did see one animal not pointed out by the guide though! After the tour through the cave, we went kayaking for one hour which was very nice with the sun appearing briefly as well.

The whole boat had 16 cabins and the average age was probably a decade above ours, returning from the kayaking we saw a group of youngsters ranging between 18 and 25 all having beers and wearing sandals and swimming trunks (it was not by any means warm enough to swim) and felt awfully old as we realized it was well invested money to go for a slighty more expensive option in no small part to avoid partying backpackers.

When we got back it was happy hour and after shaving off that beard of mine we joined the bar to try out their cocktails. They preferred to err on the safe side when mixing the drinks meaning that no one could possibly complain on watered down drinks.The dinner was on par with the lunch, I’d ordered “no meat” and the staff was always paying attention to where I sat and offered alternative dishes – the seafood was very nice and it was a bunch of smaller courses on proper plates. After a few of the drinks it was now time to prove to ourselves that while not young we could still sing Karaoke.

First up was a Vietnamese girl, singing Vietnamese which seemed like a safe bet, but fueled by Margaritas from hell the Spanish lady next to us stepped up and sang with heart and soul – that it was “New York New York” didn’t matter much – we showed those damned kids we were still a force to be reckoned with. From then things spiraled out of control – the up till then rather discreet gay couple explained they were on their honeymoon, which of course required complimentary cake with fireworks. Mona sang “nothing compares to you” for me receiving a round of applause as well as puppy eyes from yours truly. After a healthy amount of laughs, Spanish lady doing Chiciquita and showing dance moves from seventies, and more drinks we went to bed after a great day.

Mona has potentially found a new lover that, alas, I cannot compete with. It started already yesterday, some innocent flirting – perhaps one too many compliments but I’m not the jealous type so I didn’t bother. She maintained the interest though and now takes every moment she can to enjoy her newly found friend’s presence. It’s the hair dryer. Mona has likely racked up an electricity bill which will make our poor hotel owners deeply indebted. Making a small tent at the bed with the covers neatly tucked in and the warm air flowing seems to be the best part of the vacation so far for Mona, but I’m not bitter.

After a long continuous sleep we had breakfast at our hotel and decided we would do some preparations. 45 minutes later we had an itinerary for Ha Long Bay and tickets for the night train to Hoi An after that – very convenient, tip of the hat to Thid who recommended this place, Hanoi Guesthouse. We took a stroll and ended up at a nice red bridge at Hoan Kiem lake, apparently a popular place to get wedding photographs. I had a picture of a guy taking a picture of a guy taking pictures of a couple in the viewfinder but he got up before I could get a good meta shot.

We visited the temple but saw no giant turtles nor legendary sword and decided we’d been cultural enough. We strolled around Old Quarter again, enjoying the atmosphere and looking at locals and tourists alike. On the way back we stopped for lunch at 69 Bar again, and tried their traditional fish soupie-thing. It was really nice, but with spring rolls as an appetizer one meal to share would had been more than enough. We got back to our hotel and were informed that unfortunately the tickets for the famous water puppet show were all sold out. So we took a nap instead.

The evening was spent by walking to a SF Spa (not at the address described in Lonely Planet though), searching dubious areas before giving up. Well back the hotel called the Spa and realized that they had marked the wrong street on our map – we were offered a cab straight there by the spa – nice. After carefully choosing packages we both went for a steam bath followed by an hour of massage, aroma for Mona and Thai for yours truly. It was very pleasant, walking back we grabbed two döner kebabs and an ice tea from a food stall for a tenth of the price of one massage – which was cheap by Swedish standards. One could live a good life for a very low cost here.

I finished working at half past 23, packed for 30 minutes and was about to hit the sack when I just wanted to check the flight status at Landvetter Airports site. Cancelled. Read it a few times, then picked up the phone and called Landvetter to confirm.

Yep, a strike – “didn’t you get notified by whoever you bought the ticket from?” No sir, but thank you providing me with the number to the only open Lufthansa office. A nice lady gives me the option of getting stuck in Hong Kong, Frankfurt or take the 05:55 flight and go all the way. Thats in less than five hours from now. “It would be great if you could be at the airport at 04:30, Mkaaay”. Setting three alarms on two phones and a timer on 2 hours just in case.

Manages to get up, call the cab and wake Mona up. When we’ve driven a few minutes Mona realizes her phone is at home – we decide it will stay there. Well at Frankfurt I kill a few hours by reading while Mona sleeps. When we get to the gate we need to get new boarding cards for some reason, but when we board the plane and it finally leaves ground I feel a great relief. We’re having drinks to celebrate that we at least got this far, and we’re informed we can’t order two alcoholic beverages at the same time. When the purser comes back a little later and asks what Mona prefers, she happily replies “rum and coke”, not realizing the purser offers different dinner dishes. After the dinner we watch Tintin and then I read a bit more. I’m having cup noodles just because Cathay Pacific offers them.

Sleeping two hours until it’s time for breakfast, and realize this connection will be tight since we’re running slightly late. We, as well as a few others get herded by airport staff to the last flight with a few minutes to go. Well onboard I finish the book, The Quantum Thief, and then read up on common scams and hustling tricks that the guidebook warns about until we hit the ground. My luggage never shows up, and apparently some lady called my name thrice in the speakers without us hearing it. Knowing the procedures with lost luggage pretty well now, I ask for ETA and verify that I’m likely to get some cash from the insurance company. We get a cab for a fixed, printed fee and we finally arrive at our room. After a well needed shower we sleep for two more hours before the alarms goes off.

We need to get up but I’m so sleepy I can’t watch moving seconds on the timer for one minute without falling asleep. Finally mind wins over body and I get up, only to realize I can’t connect to my blog. A little detective work and re-registering of the dyndns.org hosting later it’s up and running. I wake Mona and we head out in search for food.

The place next door, 69 something, was rather nice and the luggage have arrived when we’re back. I’m happy to switch some clothes before we stroll out again since it’s a bit chilly. We stroll down to a posh cafe which is warm and treat ourselves with hot chocolate and baileys. Facebook is blocked in Vietnam but I find this nice app/service Hotspot Shield which seems to do the trick. Twitter wasn’t blocked though. We walk around in our neighborhood, Old Quarters, and it’s bustling with small food stalls, microbreweries and stores. After a few hours of walking and a few photos we decide we’ve earned a sleep longer than two hours and head back home.