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Friendship Pass and Hanoi, Part I
Entry 15 of 58 | show all | print this entry |
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I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on
- Jean Kerr, Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, The Snake Has All the Lines
Doing what it takes
It was a bit of a trip but we made it here earlier today to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. The trip involved an uncomfortable 3 and a half hour train ride from Nanning to Pingxiang in China (Pingxiang being the closest Chinese town to
the boarder crossing which is know as the 'Friendship Pass'), a very bouncy peticab over some crazy roads to the border post itself, a walk across the frontier, a taxi to the nearest town on the Vietnamese side and finally a 3 hour bus ride into Hanoi. Sounds easy. Well, I suppose it wasn't too bad. From leaving Nanning at 8am this morning to getting to Hanoi it was about 8 hours, 9 if you count the time difference between Vietnam and China.
Hanoi. It's been a while
Hanoi, capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, has shaken off its unwelcoming attitude to travellers and has become one of the most beguiling cities in Asia. It is slow-paced and pleasant, while its lovely landscape of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks is home to beautiful and diverse architectural treasures, colonial French homes and astounding modern skyscrapers. Its bustling markets, thriving nightlife and excellent food are attracting visitors of every stripe to this ancient city. Birthplace to so much of Vietnam's traditional culture, Hanoi, more than any other city in Vietnam, is a unique fusion of old and new. It personifies the spirit of historic Vietnam in the temples, monuments and pockets of ancient culture along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, yet perfectly reflects the rapid changes sweeping the country as Hanoian yuppies sip cappucinos in roadside cafes and compare cell phones.
It's almost 3 years since I was last in Hanoi and it's really great to be back to a place I have very fond memories of. It's still busy, busy, busy; a scooter lovers dream come true. I almost forgot, despite the sea of scooters on the roads, how easy it is to cross the roads here as everyone has this cunning ability to avoid you. Not that I would test that theory too often with too much confidence. Especially today when a scooter driver clipped my backpack and dragged me to the ground. No harm done. I think he was more surprised than me.
Changes
I've only been here a few hours but from what I've seen thus far things haven't changed much. As the saying here goes it's the same same, but different! (if I figure that one out before the end of my trip I'll be sure to let you all know what it means). The same offers open to travellers 3 years ago are still on offer to travellers today and prices seem to be the same, if a bit cheaper. The cheap, high standard accommodation continues, although at US$6 a night it's a different currency. The Vietnamese still seem to use the dollar as their preferred currency which is fine by me as with the strong euro it makes things that bit cheaper. One difference I have noticed is the availability of high speed internet access. Don't get me wrong; it's no Korea but Hanoi seems a lot better connected this time around. I remember how few places there were to get on-line 3 years ago and all with frustratingly slow connections. But the times they are a changing!
The Pending arrival
I'm not quite sure what the plans for the coming days are but I'm meeting my friends from home at the airport tomorrow morning (Sunday) and we'll take it from there. We'll probably spend a few days here before beginning the pilgrimage south. But fear not, whatever we decide to do I'll be detailing it all here, on my trusty Travelogue.
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| 15. | Friendship Pass and Hanoi, Part I - Hanoi, Vietnam Sep 03, 2005 (  1 ) |
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