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Published: October 28th 2008
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Hanoi the capital of Vietnam, a very busy, noisy city - some call it Hanoise and I can see/hear their point. Having arrived in Hanoi early from the train we had an orientation walk and a breakfast stop (too early to book into the hotel) First impression were good. A lovely central lake with the obligatory pensioners exercising around it. Lots of cafes (French influence again). We had a lovely Vietnamese breakfast of noodle soup and fresh spring rolls on a balcony overlooking the street. After breakfast we had a stroll around by ourselves finding a lovely Catholic church and a cafe selling iced coffee and tea. Meeting up with the rest of the group we then had a walk with the group leader around the shops. We were staying in the old quarter which is a mass of small, compact streets humming with street traders and the orientation walk did everything but orientate us! Each street in the old quarter seems to sell its own thing, for example, the street of zips, or piggy banks, or plastic bowls, very strange but easy to compare prices. On our look round we found a nice bar that had its own micro brewery
and a vegetarian restaurant where we (just the two of us) had dinner- delicious!
Next day armed only with a day pack (leaving our big bags in storage) we ventured off to Ha Long bay. We had a scenic boat trip along the bay stopping midway for a swim, a look in some caves and lunch. We arrived at our hotel on Cat Ba Island just before sunset. The hotel was lovely as was the view. At this time of year the island is very quiet and there was just a sprinkling of tourists there. In the evening we went out for a group meal as always but this time ending up in a karaoke bar which was good fun but not very tuneful. The 2 highlights (lowlights) was an American girl screaming so hard that it cleared the ear wax out of most people ears and hearing our tour leader destroy Love me Tender. After the excitement of Karaoke and Gary losing 500,000 dong somewhere in the bar we retired to the hotel leaving the others to carry on throughout the night.
Next day we hired kayaks and went off for a paddle around the Bay. The scenery was
stunning. Huge limestone hills jutting out of the water and small mussel and fish farms dotted around. It was extremely hot and we were grateful when we stopped at a beach for a swim, where the group participated in the impromptu World skimming stones championship.
After lunch we had to return to Hanoi. We went back on a 'fast' boat that only took a couple of hours. Unfortunately the assigned boat had broken down so the one we travelled on was smaller, overcrowded, with people sitting on little plastic chairs down the aisle. Eventually we arrived back and after a short 2 hr bus journey, were back in our hotel in Hanoi.
This was the final night for this part of the trip and we had to say goodbye to four members of the group and the group leader. So it was out for a group meal and a drink in a local club.
Next day was change over day and so effectively a free day. We decided to explore the French quarter (wider streets and French architechture evident) and visited the Ho Chi Min musoleum and his house. We then walked to the West lake, where we found the
grave yard for all white swan pedalos. There were hundreds of them. On our way back we found the Mushroom Hotpot restaurant and thought we would give it a go. The idea is that you have a mushroom stock and then you buy things to cook in it to make your own soup and then share it between the people around the table. The menu started with the basics - lots of wierd and wonderful mushroom and then you can add vegetables and the a choice of noodles. Those brave enough could pad it out with meat ranging from beef to tortoise! We ordered our selection. A barrel load of food appeared and we started to cook. It was delicious but way too much. Then we realised the table was set up for eight people and we were only two! No wonder the waitresses kept laughing at us. About an hour later we waddled back to the hotel for a rest fully stuffed.
The evening started with our 3rd group meeting, an introduction to the new group leader Nok and the new members of the group. Third leg of the trip starts tomorrow!
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