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Published: July 30th 2016
Yesterday morning I went out to the airport to pick Lis up as she has decided to join me on my travels for a couple of weeks. The trip to the airport was an event on itself. Once you get out of the city limits you are surrounded by market gardens that supply the city of Hanoi with food. There is not a lot in the way of logistics and refrigeration so proximity is essential. In the afternoon we took a bit of a wander through the old quarter while Lis got used to the concept of walking in the narrow streets because the footpaths are all either parking places for motorcycles or places of business. Stepping out in front of dozens of motorcycles every time you cross the road also takes some getting used to. Went to a very nice restaurant called Madame Yen for dinner, which was exquisite and washed it down with a nice bottle of Baron Phillipe Rothschild. This travelling life can be so hard sometimes.
Today was a slow day. A more in depth wander around the old quarter, had a look at an old Chinese shop house that had been pretty faithfully restored, then
down to the east gate which marked the original city limits and on to the Dong Xuan market, a large undercover market selling everything from herbs and spices, through to dried fish and shrimp, chopsticks, clothes, you name it, it could be bought there. Lis bought a $2 watch and I bought chopsticks. After all that shopping I was exhausted so nipped back to the hotel for a quick lie down to let the worst of the heat pass, 36c, before heading off to a water puppet show. Quite entertaining and uniquely Vietnamese, the water puppets started out in flooded rice fields and tell stories about everyday life, growing rice, fishing etc. They now travel the world showing off Vietnamese culture.
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Lisa
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Hanoi Old Quarter
Hey travellers. Hanoi Old Quarter is one of my favourite places in the world! Try not to get squished by a bike! Hope you shop and eat well, as your will be spoiled for choice in both departments.