Day 296 - Train from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi
Monday, April 29, 2019.
We woke up early this morning, had breakfast and said our goodbyes to the friendly family where we stay. They were super sweet and helpful, we told him that we would come back again. The name of the homestay was called Tam Coc Paradise Homestay. Simple rooms but clean with a pretty view of the canal. We took a taxi to the train station. When we got there, we discovered that there was no ATM and we had no money for food. Of course, I got a little upset because I kept telling Gregory to get more money out every time he gets a chance but he always says that we will find one and not to worry.
He and Daniel went across the street to a small convenience store because it would be cheaper than in the train station. I didn't say anything until Daniel came back with few snacks and without Gregory. He told me that the owner was going to drive Gregory to the ATM. I was so nervous because our train would leave in 15 minutes. I told myself not to panic but in my head, I had already made a whole soap opera of Gregory being kidnapped by a Vietnamese bandit and asking for a ransom while we waited in the homestay in Ninh Binh.
I even panicked more when he texted me asking me for the track number and telling me that he would meet me there. I wanted to cry and scream: forget the money, I don't care, we won't starve. Well, this didn't help but luckily the train was late and he arrived just when they opened the doors for us to move to the track. Later, he told me the story of the ATM. First of all, the kid who drove him did it on a motorcycle!! I'm glad Daniel lied and told me it was a car. Second, the ATM wasn't nearby and they had to stop at 4 ATMs because they were not working. Third, Gregory couldn't reply to all my texts because he was in the back of the motorcycles holding on! [Gregory's note: Well, of course, he took me on his motorbike -- a car never would have made it with the traffic! So first of all, we heard varying reports: the ATM was 1km from the station, 2km, and finally 900m. How far could it be? Ninh Binh is a bustling city after all. Well, the first out of order machine was 2km away. The others were a little farther, and I was getting nervous about making the train. It was 10:10 and we were about 7 minutes from the station. The train was supposed to leave at 10:15 when the guy stopped at one last ATM. It was working and I took out some extra cash. He sped back. I looked at my phone and saw messages from Lili but I couldn't respond because I was too busy holding onto the speeding bike. The guy dropped me off at the door of the station, right in time -- the train was delayed by 10 minutes, which seems to be normal for Vietnamese trains. Luckily. A little too close even for my taste.]
Let me just tell you that I was so happy to see him sound and safe and with money! I ran to the store to get more snacks but they only had junk food. The only decent thing I found was yogurt! Anyway, the train came, we boarded all together and we met a very nice family from New Zeland traveling Asia for 6 months. We talked for a long time which makes the 8-hour train shorter, kind of! I wasn't feeling well so I also slept a lot.
We finally reached Dong Hoi around 8:30pm. We gave the family our card and told them that perhaps we could meet in Hue. They were taking the train all the way through, about 12.5 hours. We decided to spend the night here and make it the rest of the way another day. Grab wasn't available so we overpaid a taxi that drove us to our hotel. Nothing fancy, a little old but at least it was clean. I didn't care, I just fell asleep the moment we got the room. Gregory and the kids went out looking for food. They brought me pho ga and I was very thankful for it because my throat really hurt. Unfortunately, it didn't have any flavor. Gregory mentioned that all the people were out celebrating. Tomorrow is Unification Day in Vietnam as well as my hubby's birthday!
We slept well on the hard bed!
We woke up early this morning, had breakfast and said our goodbyes to the friendly family where we stay. They were super sweet and helpful, we told him that we would come back again. The name of the homestay was called Tam Coc Paradise Homestay. Simple rooms but clean with a pretty view of the canal. We took a taxi to the train station. When we got there, we discovered that there was no ATM and we had no money for food. Of course, I got a little upset because I kept telling Gregory to get more money out every time he gets a chance but he always says that we will find one and not to worry.
He and Daniel went across the street to a small convenience store because it would be cheaper than in the train station. I didn't say anything until Daniel came back with few snacks and without Gregory. He told me that the owner was going to drive Gregory to the ATM. I was so nervous because our train would leave in 15 minutes. I told myself not to panic but in my head, I had already made a whole soap opera of Gregory being kidnapped by a Vietnamese bandit and asking for a ransom while we waited in the homestay in Ninh Binh.
I even panicked more when he texted me asking me for the track number and telling me that he would meet me there. I wanted to cry and scream: forget the money, I don't care, we won't starve. Well, this didn't help but luckily the train was late and he arrived just when they opened the doors for us to move to the track. Later, he told me the story of the ATM. First of all, the kid who drove him did it on a motorcycle!! I'm glad Daniel lied and told me it was a car. Second, the ATM wasn't nearby and they had to stop at 4 ATMs because they were not working. Third, Gregory couldn't reply to all my texts because he was in the back of the motorcycles holding on! [Gregory's note: Well, of course, he took me on his motorbike -- a car never would have made it with the traffic! So first of all, we heard varying reports: the ATM was 1km from the station, 2km, and finally 900m. How far could it be? Ninh Binh is a bustling city after all. Well, the first out of order machine was 2km away. The others were a little farther, and I was getting nervous about making the train. It was 10:10 and we were about 7 minutes from the station. The train was supposed to leave at 10:15 when the guy stopped at one last ATM. It was working and I took out some extra cash. He sped back. I looked at my phone and saw messages from Lili but I couldn't respond because I was too busy holding onto the speeding bike. The guy dropped me off at the door of the station, right in time -- the train was delayed by 10 minutes, which seems to be normal for Vietnamese trains. Luckily. A little too close even for my taste.]
Let me just tell you that I was so happy to see him sound and safe and with money! I ran to the store to get more snacks but they only had junk food. The only decent thing I found was yogurt! Anyway, the train came, we boarded all together and we met a very nice family from New Zeland traveling Asia for 6 months. We talked for a long time which makes the 8-hour train shorter, kind of! I wasn't feeling well so I also slept a lot.
We finally reached Dong Hoi around 8:30pm. We gave the family our card and told them that perhaps we could meet in Hue. They were taking the train all the way through, about 12.5 hours. We decided to spend the night here and make it the rest of the way another day. Grab wasn't available so we overpaid a taxi that drove us to our hotel. Nothing fancy, a little old but at least it was clean. I didn't care, I just fell asleep the moment we got the room. Gregory and the kids went out looking for food. They brought me pho ga and I was very thankful for it because my throat really hurt. Unfortunately, it didn't have any flavor. Gregory mentioned that all the people were out celebrating. Tomorrow is Unification Day in Vietnam as well as my hubby's birthday!
We slept well on the hard bed!
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