On Foot around Hanoi

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We woke up Monday Morning and the Sun was trying to shine and In fact the weather was a lot warmer all day and we could walk around in short sleeves however the locals are still in coats here. It rose to about 19 degrees in the Sun so a very pleasant day for walking around the busy city.We wanted to go to the Hoi Chi Ming’s Meusoleam and that is where King Hoi Chi Ming is on display, against his wishes I might add but the crowds continue to flock to see him, some getting quite distressed about it. The process of going in is supposed to be very strict. unfortunately when we got there, there was a sign saying “Open every day, EXCEPT Monday and Friday, of course it is Monday so we will have to come back another day. Close by is the War Museum that was the same, closed, but what we wanted to see, all the shot down American Aircraft, Tanks and Missiles they were outside so we wandered around them waiting for the shouts of “Closed get out” but no-one said a word, in fact a few more people joined us and we took all the photos we wanted for free.We then decided to go to Hanoi Prison which was open but it was quite a trek, it's not really the distance, it is the traffic density again and deciding which way it is, left or right was beginning to become quite a difficult decision. We were on the right road a few times, just found ourselves walking the wrong way down it!! More than once! So a few beer stops were made on the way, and then of course more toilet stops So the journey did take quite some time, but it was fun and we got there in the end.The prison is nicknamed “Hanoi Hilton” and has really been converted for tourism but you do get the idea. Pauline went in the solitary confinement detention cell and I tried to lock her in, but the guard told me off and she was allowed back out again. The prison is only partly remaining as they did knock most of it down, and it has been turned into a bit of a tourist attraction, but it's certainly worth going to see.After that we took another slow walk home and saw the rush hour traffic in the centre, amazing, complete an utter chaos it is amazing to watch and we had to stop for another couple of beers and do just that.In the evening we went to a local restaurant that is recommended in the Lonely Plant guide, in fact this restaurant is endorsed somehow by Gordon Ramsey it is called “Little Hanoi” the strange thing is when we arrived at the very small road there were 2 of them!! Which one to choose? One had an upstairs and downstairs and the other one had just an upstairs, both were very busy. We went for the one with the downstairs, and had a fantastic meal. A bottle of red wine, 2 different pork dishes in sauce, some rice and noodles and the total cost was £10.00 ! It was delicious as well.We then sat a small outdoor bar on little stools and got chatting to some very nice Aussies . The only problem with these small bar’s is there is no toilet but the Aussies were in a hotel right close by, and so we popped in there. We liked that idea so much we went home and have booked that hotel for our return stay in Hanoi To be able to walk around the bars and restaurant area and pop back for the toilet is going to be heaven. Our hotel is nice, no problems with it except it is quite a walk at night and we got lost a bit all 3 nights!! So we have cancelled the return to it which was the plan, and are going to stay in the backpackers area in the Suite in the Hotel for £50 a night. Tomorrow morning we are off to Dong Hoi on a midday flight, in fact it is the ONLY flight into Dong Hoi all day. We heard little Joshua cried when he went round Nanny's house and Nanny wasn't there, poor little Joshua. xx

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Photos

Pauline in Little Hanoi
Really nice meal for £10.00