Hanoi

---

Good morning Vietnam!

(Saw that line coming, right?)

You need to learn fast in Hanoi. Stepping out onto the street is quite a commitment and usually a risky manoeuvre. Motorbikes do not stop for anything (traffic lights turn red = time to mount pavement), so crossing the road requires guts, determination and a bit of luck.

We stayed in the old quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake - a tranquil spot away from the motorbike mayhem. It was a great location - walking distance to many of the sights.

The show at The Municipal Water Puppet Theatre was touted as a “must see” according to our guidebook, but we started to doubt the recommendation when the first rather lame puppet popped up at the start. We’re very pleased to say, that the show quickly picked up, and fire breathing dragons soon had us hooked. A really great (and occasionally random) experience.

Eating out was often entertaining. We had unfortunately missed the main season for dog (Lucy was most disappointed), but many restaurants offered various dishes with snake’s head or “fighting cock”. Our favourite would have to be “Iridescent Ox Dandruff ” - presumably (hopefully) an internet translation gone wrong. Needless to say, neither of us opted for any of the above, but confidence is growing - so stay tuned in…

We went to check out the Ho Chi Minh complex (museum, mausoleum and one pillar pagoda) but arrived as things were closing down for lunch. It would have been interesting to see Ho Chi Minh himself to compare our experience of Mao in Beijing (especially as HCM had just returned from touch-up in Moscow).

---

Comments

[Si and Luce on tour]

CONGRATS!
Great news on the new baby, less good on the depleated nappy stockpile... Rushing off to get a flight to Bangkok airport (hopefully!?), but will drop you a mail in a day or two. PS Name Zachary well received this end. - Si.