We toured the Ho Chi Minh tomb and there is Uncle Ho - embalmed under glass for all to see. Then the guide told us that it in fact may not really be him! You see he died in 1969 and was embalmed in Russia in 1975!!!! I bet it is a Madame Tassaud's replica we saw. Who knows. The city of Hanoi is behind us now and today we sailed the Perfume River in a Chinese Junk and visited a Buddhist Monastery. The trip is incredible and when I can I will post some pics. ... read more
Arrived in Hanoi at 2am and by the time we got to the hotel is was nearly 330. We went right to bed but not before getting some Hanoi takeout! Believe it or not, the bellboy at the hotel took his scooter and got us some noodles. It really tasted great because we were starved. The following morning we awoke to the sounds of the daily market in the old French Quarter. That is where our hotel is and it is a maze of tiny and crowded alleys that absolutely overwhelm the senses. Pics will follow but I saw every conceivable food and animal (cut up of course) for sale. One of the truly fascinating markets in the world that I have personally seen so far. More on today tomorrow - am too exhausted to go ... read more