Tropical storm in Hanoi

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Yesterday was another test of endurance with a 14 hour train trip. It wasn't all bad though, the scenery in the north of Vietnam is very different to the Plains and rice fields of the South. They still have rice fields but also have stunning mountains and karsts and rivers flowing through narrow valleys with water buffalo everywhere. The journey was also made more bearable by the 12 year old girl in the seat next who had been learning English at school for only 2 years but was a great conversationalist. With a bit of help from Google translate we got on famously as she told me all about Vietnam, Ba Na hill station in particular, where her family had just been on holiday, and Vinh city where she lives. As we neared Vinh city she was either running out of words or showing what a great judge of people she is as she declared "I think you are very handsome". Been a while since I heard that line.

We pulled into Hanoi around 8.00pm and stepped out into the middle of a tropical storm. It made its presence felt overnight toppling trees throughout the city, including one outside the hotel, which made for a very peaceful morning as there was no traffic able to get through. Walking about in Hanoi is definitely easier in a storm as the traffic is much reduced and it has reduced the temperature to a very bearable 26c. The hotel is in the middle of Old Hanoi so very picturesque. The number of coffee (Ca phe) shops is overwhelming but I have to say that a Vietnamese coffee, very strong with condensed milk added, is just the job first thing.

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