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Published: December 31st 2006
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Last I left you all "we" were en route to Vietnam. Well, so much has happened since the last entry of the previous blog. As mentioned by Will, we have separated. We broke up in Hanoi early this month. I'll spare you all the details......those close to me already know, but lets just say, its been a challenge. But I have been so fortunate along the way to meet such great people, take part in breathtaking experiences, and have the support of my family and friends. This is the only reason I've made it this far and I continue to push forward.
So, where was I....oh yes, Hanoi. Hanoi was quite a change from Vientiene, Laos. Its a very busy city, with an absurd amount of motorbike traffic, making crossing the street not a challenge but a possibly life threatening event!! I'm pretty sure I had at least 5 near death experiences on the first day alone!!! After Will and I broke up, I was face to face with the fact that I am now travelling alone in a foreign country!!! Its not a big deal really, loads of people do it, but it is a bit different when you're
not planning on it!!!!
My first day alone I decided to hop on the back of a motorbike and go to the Hoa Lo Prison Museum also known as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POW's during the American War. As interesting as it was, I don't suggest going to a prison museum right after a break up. I also visited a Ngoc Son Temple which is surrounded by the waters of Hoan Kiem Lake. To get to the temple I crossed the famous red Huc (Rising Sun) Bridge constructed in 1885. Next I rebooked my trip to Ha Long Bay at a guest house that turned into my safe haven while I was in Hanoi. It was here that I met Ly, a wonderful 20 y/o vietnamese girl that helps run the guest house, and does a helluva good job!!!! Ly comforted me with her song "Cry on my shoulder" or something like that. That song became embedded in my head for next 4 days!!! The next morning I woke up bright and early (8am--early for me) to head to Halong Bay.
Halong Bay is beautiful with its 3000 some islands arising from the waters of the Gulf
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
"Hanoi Hilton's" idea of room service of Tonkin. Halong translates to "where the dragon descends into the see" following the legend that the islands were created by a great dragon that lived in the mountains. It is the rainy season this time of year in northern Vietnam so a shroud of mist covered the islands my first day. The first night I spent on a boat under a full moon!!! It was breathtaking (warning: this word may be overused throughout my blog!! but so fitting.) Next day I ran into Will switching boats, he was on the same tour one day ahead of me. We exchanged a few words and the boats departed. Our tour group took off kayaking (my first time) and a bit of swimming. My favorite part is everyone watching me jump off the roof of our boat into the waters!!! I suddenly have an affinity of jumping off things here in Asia....its a thrill!! We then set off to Cat Ba Island where we spent the night. And back to Hanoi where I unexpectedly ran into the group that Will and I were travelling with.....we went to a Water Puppet Show and headed back to the guesthouse and I ran into Will
again, and it wasn't pretty......but he left to the next town and I remained in Hanoi.
Then next morning I woke up early, again, to witness a 100m dash in the park. Nate, an American from California claims he is the fastest man in Asia. His claim will have to be supported by races with 55 people in Asia. If he is succesful (50 wins out of 55) his cohort, Kai will have to "drive" Nate around Hanoi in a rickshaw. If he loses Kai will be the passenger. They have a very innovative website, if you're interested it is hugeinasia.com. Nate was successful in race number 5 against Mikkel from Belgium!!! I was sure Mikkel had a chance with his long limbs and all, but once again proving size doesn't matter...
After the race Mikkel and I decide to join Joe a Vietnamese man to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam's beloved revolutionary founder of the Communist Party and the president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 1946 until his death in 1969. A very somber experience to walk around his embalmed body encased in glass for rapid viewing...no stopping, no picture
Ngoc Son Temple
Situated on Hoam Kiem Lake in Hanoi taking. We traversed around his home and gardens and headed for our next stop.
The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius to honor those of literary accomplishments. Vietnam's first university was also established here in 1076. As you walk through the courtyards you can imagine what a serene environment it would have been to have studied in. That evening Mikkel and I met up to check out a jazz club and just as the music was getting good.....I had to leave for my 12 hr train ride to Hue...... so I hopped on the back of Ly's motorbike with my backpack which felt like I was carrying one of the islands in Halong bay and off to the train station we went.......Hue here I come!!!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. I wish you all could be with me.....especially during these times......if any of you would like to see how the trip began you can check out travelblog.org/bloggers/recon-at-the-mekong......that is the former blog. Sorry this particular entry is sooo long.....but I have alot of catching up to do....rather, you guys have alot of catching up to do.....I'll
try to keep it brief next time....With love,
Michelle
P.S. Please keep me in your prayers as you are in mine!!
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Joann
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Happy New Year
Hey! Sorry to hear about the heartbreak...=( I admire your strength in pushing through--you go girl! =) You certainly are in my prayers! Take care--love and miss ya!