The horror, the horror...

Trip Start May 03, 2008
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7
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Trip End May 02, 2009


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Where I stayed
A boat!
(Halong Bay hotels)

Flag of Vietnam  ,
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

We arrived in Hanoi about six that morning in the middle of nowhere. The bus had dropped us off at the bus station with no one there and the station was about 6km outside of Hanoi which we didn't know at the time as no one on the bus spoke English after we asked them where they'd dumped us . After approaching a few army staff which seemed to be in the area and some pointing at the map we figured out our situation. For some reason the army guy who was trying to help us was trying to have a conversation with me in Vietnamese and wasn't dissuaded by the fact that I didn't know any. After a few minutes we finally reached a universal word that of "taxi", frantic nods from us as he went off to ring one for us. Soon enough one turned up and charged us an extortionate $10 fare. When he had to circle the block as he couldn't find the hotel we were looking for, he even tried to charge us an extra dollar but I was having none of it at this stage, you get quite used to people trying to scam you at every opportunity out here and you always have to check your change everywhere.

We found a hostel but had to wait till midday to check in so all in all we were travelling for 31 hours. After some rest we had a little look around Hanoi. The biggest adventure in Hanoi crossing the road and it is best described as a slow stroll forward across to the other side while the motorbikes maneuver round you. The trick is to slowly move forward or stand still but never ,ever move backwards. After a leisurely day we went to a water puppet show that evening. Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
 The puppets are pushed through a small pool at the end of long rods where the puppet master hid behind an ornate set. A Vietnamese traditional group accompanied the puppets telling a story in Vietnamese whilst the puppets moved in time to the music. Was interesting enough for about 10 minutes but the show went on for about an hour in the most cramped seats in the world, even worse than the buses.

The next day was visited the Hoa Lo Prison better know as the Hanoi Hilton where American prisoners of war were held including John McCain. The museum was not that exciting though as it largely dealt with the fact that it was normal prison for Vietnamese for over hundred years which could have been interesting except for the fact that most of the prison been demolished and there is not much left to see.

The following morning we took a tour to Halong bay where we went out on a boat and circled around the islands and later that day did some kayaking around some more and had a look at a few caves. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great and it was misty and dull for most of the day turning to rain later on. The views of the steep, foliage covered islands were still visible though. Most of the islands are uninhabited but people live in huts that float on bamboo all around the islands. We spent the night on the boat we a good group and headed back to Hanoi the next day.

On our last day we decided to try and visit Uncle Ho in his mausoleum,we arrived there at half ten to find out that it closes for the day at guess what... half ten. Lonely planet letting us down again. We visited his residences and then the propaganda museum.. sorry I meant to say the Ho Chi Minh Musuem. Again nothing spectacular really.

That afternoon we ate at restaurant that trains underprivileged kids and visited the Temple of Literature which we housed numerous pretty temples enclosed by gardens and ponds.

Leaving that night we felt a little let down by Hanoi. The sights were average, it always seemed to be impossible to find a particular shop or even somewhere to eat when you wanted to. These coupled with the fact the there constant noise from traffic with horns blaring every second. Suffice to say it wasn't the most relaxing city to visit.
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