Hanoi

As we pulled into Hanoi lots of men rushed to the bus to try and take the passengers to their hotel. We ended up at a pretty nice place with b'fst included, cable TV and free internet with aircon for cheaper than we thought we'd have to pay. I immediately showered and fell asleep, but Ben took off exploring and came back saying it was crazier than we could imagine 'out there.'

Eating Dog

We spent the next few days: fending off people trying to sell us fruit, bike rides and books/postcards; dodging bikes that get so close you swear they'll hit you - sometimes they do; trying to navigate the myriad of roads in the Old Quarter where we were staying; trying to bargain with the relentless vendors who never back down and would rather have none of your money than some; and trying to find something other than spring rolls and noodle soup to eat.

Eating Pigeon

Our 2nd morning in Hanoi we were off to meet some friends we'd met in Laos when we were unexpectedly told we had to check out. A discussion and then an argument ensued and then we collected our things from the room. After yelling at the reception guy for being a dick and threatening to write to several guide books (which I subsequently have done) we paid and checked into the same hotel as our friends with no free internet/b'fst/aircon but cheap. We talked to other people who said they were also kicked out of the same hotel with no warning and they think it's because we didn't purchase any of the hotel's overpriced tours which is a big way hotels make money in Hanoi.

fresh Bia Hoi (10 cents)

Ben and I ate grubs, pigeon and dog while in Hanoi and soon after my stomach was crook again and I had the runs and not much of an appetite. I know what you're thinking, but I don't think any of the above things did it. We also got to try a beer everyone brews and sells for around 10 cents on the street. It's called Bia Hoi and after 1 night drinking it we realised why it was so cheap - there's barely any alcohol in it.

One day we watched the police come through a market area. All of a sudden people were pulling their goods back from the footpath into their stores as the Police yelled from their car over a loud speaker. Then the police got out and started to take things and put them in the car - stealing them essentially.

Pig and Duck in the Market

We also walked through Lenin Park and went to the Hoh Chi Mihn Museum as well as wandered around a few of the lakes that are dotted throughout the area.

Our little group was an Aussie, an American, a Pom, an Israeli and 2 American/Israelis. We now have a kibutz we can stay on whenever we want which is something we've both wanted to do.

Snake Whiskey