Hello From Hanoi!

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Evening all. We have settled into Hanoi quite well after Louise's initial apprehension (being a little girl).

Didn't go exactly swimmingly at first because when our flight got into Hanoi our driver from the hotel wasn't there. After waiting 30mins we got a taxi. Drivers are a bit mental here. There isn't really a correct side of the road and you have to honk your horn every 5 seconds apparently! Still, he got us there ok and didn't try to rip us off. Next problem was that the kind (but dyslexic) lady at Hanoi Guesthouse had put us in her diary as arriving on 11th Nov! This explains the lack of driver. For the first night we had to stay in their sister hotel for one night. The room was ok (Premership footy on ESPN) but the bathroom was a bit of a dive. Nearly flooded with some dubious smelling water and i had to be DIY man in the middle of the night and fix the toilet! Watch out Alan!

After a good nights sleep (15 hours!) we moved to Hanoi Guesthouse and the room is much better. Nice clean bathroom, decent air con, huge balcony, and most importantly ESPN.

After a big thunderstorm today we walked to Hoan Kiem Lake. Whilst we were trying to decide where to eat a young Vietnamese girl came up to us to try and sell us books. When we said no thanks she told Louise "you are very pretty do you want to buy postcard"?! I decided i'm not buying anything from a liar so we went for food at Quon Bia Minh. Louise's chicken fried with basil was good if a little perfumey. My beef with lemon grass and chilli was boss, although it was a bit too hot for Louise. 2 meals with 2 portions of fried noodles and 4 drinks each cost $10 (or 5 whole English pounds sterling) between us.

Also, trying to cross the road is crazy. You just have to start walking and people seem to weave round you whilst honking their horn at you and everyone else. We even found somewhere with traffic lights and when the green man popped up we walked. This didn't stop all of the mopeds driving past us though.

Anyhoo, i'm off for some cheap beer. I'll try to add some photos later. Hope everything is ok in good old blighty.

Later.
Louise and Paul
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Photos

Quon Bia Minh
Louise struggling to eat her first Vietnamese meal!

Hanoi Traffic
You just have to start walking into it

Military History Museum
Paul with his big weapon

Hawker Louise
Banana, Pineapple Mrs?

Halida baby
Paul with his two new blonde Vietnamese friends

Comments

[Emma]

Oi Paul don't be mean to my sister! She's beautiful! Very interesting, keep up the good work :) xxx

[Woodzy]

Masculinity
Does anyone else think it's a bit weird they signed it "Louise and Paul". Everyone else always calls them "Paul and Louise". I reckon Lou has got tired of it and put her foot down. Cheggers, you got to man up buddy!! Anyway, glad to hear you're both safe and sound and enjoying Hanoi. With all the cars beeping you could say its very .... horny there. Oh! Zing!

[YAM YAM]

Drivers!
well glad you have made your first stop in one piece, drivers sound just like me, hope your feeling at home! ha! get some pics on here! x

[Lozza]

woop woop
Yo peeps!! Thanks for the update.....sounds a little crazy where u are but at least you've made it safe and sound. Loving the commentary Heggars...just hope Louise's is up to scratch (doubt it!!!) but then again knowing u, u probably wont let her have a go anyway!!! keep us updated...it's lovely to still be in touch and i want u to know that i had a little tear in my eye when u drove off on mon evening cos i'm really going to miss u guys!!! (soppy i know!) anyhow, get some photos on and speak soon. love u both lots meXXXXXX

[Phil]

Hello back .....................
Nice to hear from you two - glad it's going ok ! The food sounds yummy - altho' I must say I was rather relieved to find you hadn't both turned into cannibals after reading your sentence,' Whilst we were trying to decide where to eat a young Vietnamese girl ...................... !!!' And thousands of miles just to watch Premiership football ???? D'oh .............. ha ha !!

[Lisa]

Bargain!
Hi to Hanoi from Hervey Bay, Australia. Sounds like you're having a good time -it's an absolute bargain out there! I cant wait to get to Thailand and Malasia. We're using all our money up in Oz! I'm jealous of you in holtels with nice bathrooms and ESPN! I'm going mad in a campervan the size of a postage stamp! Keep in touch and stick on some pics soon Lisa x

[John]

Bargain food and drink
Louise and Paul-good to hear you're safe and sound.Sounds like you've found my dream Paul-cheap food and beer and football.I can be there next week.....!!.I'm used to that kind of driving living with Mal and Lisa !!.Take care and I will follow your progress with interest.John.

[sirmichael]

BLOODY FOREIGN FOOD
I JUST DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE WORLD IS COMING TO....JUST WHAT IS WRONG WITH FISH AND CHIPS OR ROAST BEEF DINNERS? IF THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU JUST TALK LOUDER...IF THIS FAILS YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR EMERGENCY PACK THAT I GAVE TO YOU, A PICTURE OF A COW! ALSO IN THE PACK YOU SHOULD FIND A FLATTENED STELLA TIN - USE THIS FREQUENTLY....I DO!