Hanging in Hanoi

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So we have spent the last 2 days cruising round Hanoi in the old quarter it's been a hoot. We have had it pretty cruisy just relaxing while the city is doing the same because of the 3 days of Tet. We watched the new years fireworks display the other night which was pretty impressive apart fro the trees in the way. I have really enjoyed the slower pace of things not sure bout Zania though although she has well and truly overcome her fear of eating at street stalls. Unfortunately there is not a lot to do in the way of Museums and the like as everything is closed. So we make our own fun by watching the traffic it is quite entertaining to see what and how many people you can get on a scooter it seems 4 is common but there is the odd 5 and 6. when we are not watching traffic we eat which is one of my favourite things to do but i have learnt to take it easy on the chilli sauce and not add a spoonfull to start off with.

We visited a temple in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake which was erected as a tribue to Emperor Ly Thai To who was a succesful General in the 15th century who had a mystical sword which he used to remove the chinese threat from Vietnam. When he was finished he gave the sword to a giant tortoise who carried the sword on his back to the bottom of the lake to keep untill it was needed again. Which is where the name Hoan Kiem derives from meaning Lake of the Restored Sword. There you go kids histoy lesson for the day. I have been amazed at how old and traditional this place is the people they pray to and worship have been dead for centuries. We came across a statue of some guy who's life was dated 974-1028 and the people were loving him its good to see.

Tomorrow we are going to see Mr Ho Chi Minh himself which is weird cos he died in 1969 but they have preserved him in a glass coffin so that will be interesting. We went to buy some shoes yesterday but couldn't find anything in my size so i might have to get some made in Hoi An when we make it there. We just booked our 3day cruise around Halong Bay which we are looking forward to Zarn says it's too cold to swim but i have my doubts.

So stay tuned people

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Comments

[Rose and Stasia]

Thank You
Hello Thanks for your help with facebook it works :D Sounds like you are having good fun on your travels, enjoy your boat trip at Halong Bay its really beautiful, Anastasia and Roseanna