Hanoi Vietnam, - - Saturday, 27th September, 2014

Last day in Hanoi & off to Ha Long Bay tomorrow for two day cruise on the Paloma. Not sure about wi-fi on the boat so we might vanish for 2 or 3 days.

I was done today. Bought some sort of boat shoes. Price started at 550,000 dong, I said no so she came down to 400,000.00 and another no, so she said how much, I said 300,000.00 she said 380.000.00 so I walk out , she came after me and said $350,000.00 so I got them. Then we walked down the street further and saw them for 250.000.00 Dong. I was done. We are only talking about $6.00NZ difference!!!!!!!!! But I was DONE.

We have really enjoyed our stay at this hotel Oriental Central 39  Hang Bac Str.
The staff are out of this world and a special thanks to Annie who has been corresponding with me over  the last twelve months organising bookings, pick up from airport on arrival, which worked really well and generally helping me with ideas. Also Brian who seems to be in charge, that's the guy who helped me with the computer. He is always there to help and seems to know when you are due back if you have been out on a tour to rush and greet you. Would highly recommend this Hotel.

Not sure what the men do in this country except sit round drinking coffee and smoking. The ladies are the ones hard working out in the rice fields working for hours.
When we flew in to Hanoi, it was dark, we could see little pockets of burning smoke which looked like it was coming out of the ground and causing massive smoke pollution. I found out yesterday that it was piles of the rice roots and stalks burning which they make fertilizer out of.. The place was full of smoke when we drove in from the airport.

At the markets a couple of days ago PT decided we needed a knife as they leave us fresh fruit every morning in our room. Amazingly we found one which had a Kiwi on it with the word Kiwi beside it. Then on the blade said Kiwi brand made in Thailand. Work that one out.

Decided today just to do very little. Went back down to the lake  and saw these little battery powered carts which do a tour from the top of the lake out of the old town through the newer Hanoi, but still very old. They take you for an hour round the bottom of the lake back to the top of the lake stopping whenever you want a photo. We enjoyed it got out of the business of the old town, although it was Saturday and not so busy, and saw the part we couldn't have walked. The streets were wide with lots of  green areas, parks and ofcourse the nice areas and walkways around the lake.

First stop was the Quan Su Pagoda built in the 15th century. Hopped out of are cart went in took some photos while our driver waited. ( I think that we are getting over visiting Pagodas, saw a lot in China and guess we will see some more.)

They are all mad drivers everyone for their own. This is what we have to get through when crossing  the road, nobody gives way but I think that we have learned how to work it. Just keep walking slowly, don't stop, and hopefully they just drive round you. You can't afford to hesitate or I think that they would just go through you. Scary. It could be described as a Grand Prix with unlimited starters.

Next stop the old prison. Just dropped PT off to do his time........

On the left the old prison wall. PT waving goodbye

At the top of the wall no barbed wire just lots of broken glass cemented into the concrete.

The old gates to the prison now in the museum part.

One of the cells you just had to sit there in these clamps

This one painted all black, can you imagine.

One of the old Guillotines

This is why it is so hard to walk along the footpath and you usually have to walk on road with scooters flying past you.

Now in the newer old town, (CBD)... wider tree lined  roads.

And photo below. 

Next photo stop Opera house. This building is a small version of the Opera Garnier in Paris. Was build from 1901 to 1911

More of the CBD. Much more orderly. 

Now back half way down the lake edge still heading south to round the bottom of Hoan Kiem Lake. A natural freshwater lake in the city. Good place to go to get more air. The water is always green. (Dirty looking) This is a temple on an island. I zoomed in from the other side shown yesterday.

Looking back up the lake from the same spot.

Now back up the northern end were we started, back to the Ngoc Son Temple The place we visited on our first day here where we crossed the red bridge out to the island where the temple is. Temple on Island where the flags are flying, city in the distance.

More of the lake area, nice spot.

Being Saturday families were out in the park. Lots of artists out drawing portraits.

This shows how narrow our hotel is, just the width of the white entrance way.. When you arrive in this old street you immediately think hell ,where would you find a hotel here. Go through these white doors and there it is this nice very modern interior.

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From the outside taken across the narrow road. Just the width of the white building. Our room was on the fifth floor, the one with the closed curtains across the windows  The room is the width if the hotel. 

The bigger rooms are across the whole width front and back and smaller rooms in the middle to make room for the lift and stairs. This is how most

of the buildings are, very narrow across the front but can go back quite a way in depth. You see this everywhere.

Off to the water puppets tonight. Can't visit Hanoi without going there. Will post this when we get back tonight.

We are back from the water puppets. Wasn't anything great but you have to go while in Hanoi. Went to 6.30 show, gets dark about 5.30ish so saw a bit of  night life.

Just to show how it is done. This is the stage which is water.

Then the water puppets appear. Not a good shot but just to give you an idea.

A bit of street life outside the theatre.

Night street market  across from our hotel.
Should add that we got temporarily misplaced on he way back from the puppet show. Bit of stress for a few minutes but all good.

Don't forget probably be out of contact for three days and don't forget to adjust all your clocks.

Hanoi Vietnam - 26th Friday, September, 2014

Got picked up from Hotel at 8.00am in a 20 seater bus and headed south for over two hours driving to a little village surrounded by  the mountains. It was where our guide was brought up and he kept referring to it as his town and of cause thinks it's a very special area. I just don't know how to spell the name but will check tomorrow and enter it in.

When we arrived and stepped off the bus it was soooo hot never felt anything like it, no wind as amongst the mountains. Bought a Vietnamese coolly hat for a dollar to help keep the sun off me and off we went to walk around the area. We crossed over a bridge to walk round the temple gardens and to have a look inside.

Looking back through the valley from the bridge

Crossing the bridge to go through the gates to the gardens

The gates to the temple. You just couldn't believe how hot it was here in this village. Never drunk so much water even PT drunk lots for him.

Back into the bus drive on to Tam Coc where we first had lunch (above) before we had our sanpan boat ride up through the valley of the mountains.

After lunch we met down at the wharf to get started in our boats and headed down the lake through the mountains. Note all the sanpans lined up to the right. Thats the last of them most of them had already gone with other tours. The place was packed with them. the boats were made of stainless steel and were about 3 metres long and 1.2 wide blunt front and back as can be seen.

Boats ready to go out.

We are off.

Passing through the town.

This is our rower. Aged about 50 plus.  We were on the boat for one and half hours and he had to row like this with his feet. He was leaning back against a seat back and it looked quite comfortable. There were women as well as men young and old.

Scenes as we go along very peaceful and relaxing

This is my hat I brought to help with the heat. Won't be bringing it home.

This is entering the first cave. Went through three, all different sizes.

Inside not very high.

Coming out the other side.

Coming out of the second cave

The had a load they needed an extra rower. No not really, just one of the ladies "helping". 

Approaching the third cave. Hello PT

This is the boat that had the extra rower, going fast passed us. 

When we got to the other end of the lake we had a break while the rowers stopped for a ciggy and a little rest. Suddenly we were swamped with ladies trying to sell us food thinking we might be hungry but before we started we had  just had a full cooked meal . Part of the meat was goats meat.(no kidding) as well as normal Asian food.

Turning round to return to base.

Ladies still trying hard on their sales before we leave.

Another shot of our rower. Rowing while you have a drink. The advantages of rowing with your feet.

A little hut on the side of the lake away from anything. Probably is somebodies home.

Front of our boat. I was sitting on the floor by this stage a lot easier on your back and bum and more relaxing.

Also was included was a 40 minute bike ride round the town and outskirts but we decided that it was too hot for that so pottered round town ourselves until they all came back. This is our bus team. Note the hats lots of us brought these just for the extreme heat. $1

While we were walking around we came across these boys fishing.

Guess who couldn't resist getting involved.

Great day in all but exhausting with the heat but you have to get out of the cities/towns to see the real Vietnam. Arrived back at the Hotel at 7.00pm.

Forgot to tell you I had a massage on my neck shoulders upper back yesterday to relieve some tension from all the full on touring  through China. Good half hour for $15.00. They were very good and professional in a well set up spa. Hotel put me onto it. The staff are so helpful will do anything for you. Not only one person running around after you but two or three. When the bus comes to pick you up they lead you safely across the road and seem to know when you are due back and rush out to help again.

Last night I had a panic as the computer decided to play up couldn't make the mouse move everything froze. I immediately thought oh no, first no connection to blog in China and now this. Peter tried a few things but said sorry I can't do anything but I wasn't going to give up so went downstairs to ask the boys (staff) First one couldn't help, second one no good and the third which seems to know your every movement came over and said the virus protector was very weak and could loose things.....

He said he would set up a new virus protector for me which took some time. (Hope I did right Adam, it was that or computer not working. It had been on and off for a few days.) Anyway he said it is still downloading but can do my work at the same time. Went back upstairs didn't work up there. This up and down to the lobby went on for about three or four times and finally got going again. If it hadn't been for him that would have been the end of the computer for us.

The wifi is really fast, as good as Hong Kong so hope it lasts.