Our trip to Hanoi, Vietnam started before the sun was up on Friday, November 28th.
We managed to have a super quick 10 minutes in the lounge, enough time for Mum and Dad to see the perk I have every time I travel. With my pass I'm supposed to only have 1 guest but managed to get them both in which was great. They are most envious! Headed off to the gate to see "final call" flashing, so a quick walk ended up being a run through the airport only to arrive at the gate with lots of people still boarding. So no need for us to panic!!
After finally getting to our seats (some people decided they liked our seats rather than their own) we had a quick flight to Hanoi. Straight through customs then waited for our bags before meeting up with our driver who displayed a lovely sign with my name in bold letters.
One of the first sights we saw leaving the airport was a local bus turning up and people running to get on. Clearly they didn't want to stand up for the journey. Next sight was not pleasant, a man relieving himself (taking a leak) on the side of the road. Welcome to Vietnam!!
On arrival at the hotel we were presented with a lovely welcome fruit juice drink then given information about the hotel and Hanoi (sights to see, places to eat, rules on crossing the road etc) by the staff before being taken to our room. The service was just amazing, you definitely wouldn't get this in a 5 star hotel.
After dropping our bags and surveying our room we headed out to see Hanoi. We just wandered the streets, getting our bearings and learning to cross the streets (not an easy task and one that takes lots of practice. No running or walking backwards, just slowing walking watching the bikes/cars/buses). After stopping for lunch at a very busy intersection we headed off to the Temple of Literature. This was founded in 1070 as a Confucian temple, then 6 years later Vietnam's first university was established within the Temple to educate Vietnam's elite. We really enjoyed this and amazed at the age of some of the buildings, going back to the 11th century.
Stopped at Koto (Know One Teach One) for a beer on their roof terrace overlooking the Temple of Literature. This is a cafe/restaurant that trains young people in the hospitality arena who have had struggles in their daily lives. We loved it.
Back to the hotel to relax and get some peace and quiet before venturing out for dinner at a place the hotel recommended and what a fab recommendation it was! The noise and chaos on the streets was just amazing. Thousands of motor bikes and some carrying up to 4 people, bales of hay and many other things. At times almost no vision of the driver was possible!
Adter dinner we ventured into a long street that was set up as a Night market. Lots to see but not a lot of shopping done. Not the best standard of goods on sale!! Fun to be there though.
Saturday morning we had breakfast in the hotel then headed off walking to the Hoa Lo Prison. Here we saw lots of photos statues etc depicting the lives of prisoners over the past couple of hundred years and especially during the Vietnam war with the American pilots who had been captured as prisoners. Most interesting.
We seemed to do lots of walking around the streets. There is so much to see and take in and every block has something new. Many streets sell all of the one product. E.g. all shoes; all products made with tin; all sweets; etc etc.
After the prison we did the walk suggested in the lonely planet book. Stopped for lunch where we got some great photos of normal day Hanoi life. So fascinating. We ended up at a Tailor who we had been recommended to us. After spending at least 30 minutes with them Mum and I both ordered clothes.
After more walking the streets we headed to Koto for dinner, the food was great. It was difficult deciding what to eat!
Sunday we were up early, had breakfast then took a taxi to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Here we saw Mr Ho Chi Minh. We had to line up with lots of other people and hand in our cameras and cell phones as no-one was permitted to take a photo of the man himself! He is off viewing for 3 months of each year while he goes back to Russia to be re-embalmed. Lovely grounds we were allowed to walk around once we had viewed the body!
We walked back towards our hotel, being stopped a few times along the way to see if we wanted a taxi. We were fortunate to see a family of 4 on a motorbike who allowed us to take their photo. Definitely a different life fitting the whole family on 1 bike.
More wandering around, taking in the sights and shopping. Later in the day Mum and I went to collect our clothes from the tailor. It definitely was not a good experience, none of the clothes were there so 30 minutes later we went back and only 1 of Mum's items were there. On trying it on she realised it wasn't what she wanted, oh dear so lots of discussion later we decided on a time to meet back at the hotel later so we could try everything on and hope that Mum's item had been fixed.
After returning from a yummy, but hot!, dinner we met the tailor. Mum's things were ok however my shirt was in the completely wrong fabric and a tad too small. I was not impressed. Lots more discussion and we left having the agreement the shirt would be at the hotel by 12noon on Tuesday with nothing else to pay and the hotel would post me my shirt. (I didn't want them knowing I would be back).
Monday morning we were up early and were picked up by a mini van, along with 6 others to head to Halong Bay. The drive was around 3.5 hours plus a short stop at a tourist store, of course. This one was a little different though as it was employing and supporting the local disabled children. On arrival into Halong Bay we were met by our guide and taken by small boat to our junk for the evening, Lagoon Explorer I. We sat on the top deck in the sun, had a welcome drink and briefing then set off. Its near impossible to explain Halong Bay other than amazing. If you have been to Guilin/Yangzhou, China or Krabi, Thailand you will have a vague idea of the scenery. I really hope my photos do it the justice it deserves. It was great to be out of loud and chaotic Hanoi, such a huge contrast. We had a yummy 7-8 course lunch, every course coming out after we had completed the previous one.
We were taken to visit a floating school by local row boat. Was interesting seeing and learning about the boat people, certainly not a life I'd like although they do have TV's. Quite a few, if not all, houses had a dog. I thought it was nice until we were informed they were kept not as pets but for food.......nearly enough to make me not want to eat meat ever again.
Back onto the junk and we were off cruising again. As the sun was setting we got off again and visited a cave. Amazing views and some super photos were taken by Dad and me. We had dinner a couple of hours later sitting on the top deck. The food was just amazing and so tasty. In same ways its good we're only on for 1 night.
Tuesday morning we were up early for breakfast on the deck before kayaking for about an hour. Amazing views, it was great to get so close to the rocks. I could have spent all day out there if it wasn't for the fact I had to actually paddle!! I decided to jump in the water as who knows if I'll ever be back, I was in for all of 30 seconds as it was rather cold.
The staff on the boat were super and the chef did himself proud. We seemed to eat all the time! Driving to and from Hanoi to Halong Bay was certainly an experience. There is only 1 lane per direction however we seemed to spend a large amount of time on and other side of the road. Lots of tooting going on.
We got back into Hanoi around 4pm and had 1 hour before having to depart for the airport. We discovered the tailor hadn't left my shirt and they would be back at just before 5pm. Mum and I headed up the street to do our last minute shopping and came back to the hotel to see the lady from the tailor. I tried on my shirt and thankfully it was aok. The next 10 minutes however were not, they were a fiasco and to save writing screeds, suffice to say it was not a good experience and we left Hanoi predicting the Mafia would be after us prior to our leaving the airport!! We did manage to "get out" safely, but not before Mum realised her wallet was missing. We have NO idea how that happened and of course it necessitated in all her cards being cancelled etc! So a bit of a stressful end to our time in Vietnam to say the least!!
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