One day in Hanoi.... thats enough
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2009
1
7
20
Trip End
Aug 25, 2009
Hanoi,
Vietnam
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
We arrived in Hanoi late last nite, as our two flights were delayed. But that's been the only travel mishap we've had so far, which isn't too bad.
Our first impressions of Hanoi are not great. First off, the airport taxi driver tried to scam us by telling us his taxi had a meter, when it didn't, but we were ok and we made him stop the car and put us in a taxi with a meter. The hotel we're in, does not look like the pictures on the internet... nuff said.
Hanoi is one crazy place & we think it's worse than Bangkok. It's so unbelievebly noisy & busy. They drive like lunatics and your risking your life trying to cross the road. Also there is constantly a car horn blaring in the background wherever you are in the city!
However today was a nice day, the area that our hotel is in (Old Quarter of Hanoi) isn't great looking, but about 5 mins down the road there is a gorgeous lake called Hoan Kiem Lake where we spent most of the day walking around & we had a lovely lunch on a balcony overlooking the lake. After lunch we walked over the Huc bridge to an island in the lake where there is a lovely temple called Ngoc Son.
Earlier this evening we went to a really enjoyable Vietnamese water puppet show. It was really good overall but espcially the traditional Vietnamese music which was fantastic! Then we had dinner in a lovely Vietnamese restaurant & we got lost in the complex network of steets & busy traffic on the way home to the hotel, but it was ok, as we made it back in one piece thanks to the little, badly drawn, map on the back of the restaurant leaflet & not the map in the guidebook!
Early tomorrow morning we are going on a 2 day, cruise to Ha Long Bay on an old Vietnamese junk boat, which should be cool. We are really, really looking forward to some peaceful relaxing! & we cant wait to see the bay.
Talk to you all again soon!
Comments
Now we are 5
Hiya How are you both, you look great in all the pics. The places you are going to, its just fantastic to think you're there. You're great for keeping up the blog so well. Yes we now have 3 boys. Daniel arrived on Fri 26th at half twelve. 8 pounds 10 ounces. He is just great. We are all mad about him. He is the best baby in Dublin. Young Michael is particularly taken with him. Wants to do the feeding, holding, walking around with him. Its a bit scary but it'll be grand. Sean loves him too, he thinks he's soooo cute. We have to agree with him. I've loads of photos to add but don't know how. Any clues anyone? Love for now Lou Mick Michael Sean and Daniel aka (The Knocklyon 5)
Hi Sweetheart, Hello Ferg,
You look great the two of you, I think everyone here is mad jealous. Tommy is away sailing in Cork, I drove him down on Saturday, 11 hours in the car down and back some marathon... He forgot his sleeping bag.! He seems to be really enjoying it despite being very nervous poor thing ...