Nikko Hotel Hanoi

... headed off to find somewhere quieter. We walked around for about 45 minutes looking for a bar, only to find ourselves back on the same street as GC Bar and standing by the bar next door, which we'd missed first time around! They had the England v Ukraine match on the TV in there which was a bonus. Once that closed we headed back to the hostel.

Next day Simone (someone from the dorm) and I decided to check out a few museums. First off ...

... complimentary
private car transfers to Dong Hoi Airport or Dong Hoi Railway Station, a
complimentary bottle of champagne, daily breakfast and Vietnamese set lunch.
If that isn’t enticing enough, honeymooners will also receive a
complimentary candlelight dinner ...

... my group was gone. This was unfortunate because after climbing up those stone steps, I knew my joints would be hurting on my way down and so decided to take the cable car back down with them.

Going down wasn’t as bad as I thought. This time I passed many Vietnamese walking up. Proud that I walked up the way pilgrims would have done, I took out my video camera and got evidence of others walking up. I was feeling one with the Vietnamese.

Hanoi, Dac Lac, Vietnam damangela

... instruments and cult objects. They are decorated with geometric patterns, scenes of daily life and war, animals and birds, and boats. The latter alludes to the importance of trade to the culture in which they were made, and the drums themselves became objects of trade and heirlooms.) I'll keep an eye out for them Allen so when you come you can check 'em out.
I was picked up at the airport by a school representative and handed a huge ...

... on the outside with a Chinese character
meaning "double happiness". With these characteristics, “Bánh cốm” is
believed to be a symbol of steadfast and eternal love.



Green sticky rice cakes are sold on Hang Than Street. Sticky cakes
stuffed with green rice are sold on Hang Dieu Street and Quoc Huong
green rice paste is sold on Hang Bong Street. Restaurants also offer
dishes involving “Cốm ...

Hi All! Well, we have now left China and have arrived safely in Vietnam.

First things first, i'm melting in this country. Ok! Perhaps not quite literally, but my god, it's just so humid, constantly sweating all day long which makes it highly uncomfortable, I do however have to keep drinking beer to cool me down....so I guess it's not all bad? haha. More seriously though, Vietnam and Hanoi seem fantastic (so far) and Izzy and I are both really pleased ...

... is to pay for just the liquid and the plastic baggie. You will see people walking around Thailand and Laos, sipping from bags with straws, and it all looks very cool. Any time I see soda in a bag, I start singing, "Soda in a bag, soda in a bag. Soda in a bag, hey hey hey hey" (to the tune of "I got a pickle, I got a pickle. I got a pickle hey hey hey hey). Another thing I might bring back to the US. 4. Towel On The Head Towel on the head is very similar to soda in ...

... to life and it is an ancient artform long practised by the ethnic groups of Vietnam. We found out that it used to be quite dangerous as the puppeteers would catch water borne diseases from years of performing. An occupational hazard that no longer exists now thanks to waist high waders. It was a great experience and a great way to end another evening in Hanoi. We are truly enjoying ourselves here and can't wait to the next adventure.

... pleasant park lands and restaurants surrounding it. The two islands both have buildings on them: one has Thap Ria (tortoise tower), and the other has the Ngoc Son Temple which was founded in the 18th century and is accessible to tourists via a bridge for a small fee. Walking around this area is a great way to relax and get away from the hectic pace that seems to be everywhere else in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Some other sites we saw during our stay in ...

... street cafes in the old quarter. Finished off a great day of catching up with a warm chocolate brownie cake and icecream - then felt it was only right to walk home to help burn off a few of the excess calories. Booked my flight to Vientiane (the idea of taking the ten buck 24 hour bus ride had left my head after about the first 20 minutes of my first bus ride!!!!! Old age is a bummer!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) Luckily I'm happy to go along with my dads saying " With advancing years you ...