Vietnam 2010

Nov 26, Hanoi, Vietnam

Arrived in Hanoi at 6.30 am.  Of course to a bunch of motorbike guys looking to give you a ride.  The stop was outside the old city as the buses can not go there.  No I know why!

But they company paid for taxis into city.  Nice but dropped off at hotel.  The street was very busy with people selling there goods.  Mostly fresh fish and fresh red meat!  A great smell in the morning, and especially with no coffee in me.

Wandered around and found a luxury hotel.  $23 a night!  Very nice.

Had a long hot shower as it is cool here, only about 20.  Then tried to have a nap but did not work.

Went walking and ended up at the Water puppet show.  Great performance for $2.  A show that goes back many years used to entertain the villagers during the floods.  Puppets are made of wood and on sticks controlled by people behind a curtain.  It really is done in the water.  Lots of music as well.  The 1 stringed guitar common in Asia, a 1 string flat instrument controlled by a flexible stick on the end.  Very different sounds.  I hope it is clear on the video clips I took.

Went to the Pagoda in the middle of the lake.  Interesting as dedicated to the very large (up to 250 kg) turtles that live in the lake.

Back to hotel via Ma Ming street. Went here as there are many 'tube' houses'.  Narrow shops/houses about 3 feet wide.  Very long halls that seem to lead to a building behind the street side shops.

NIce as this area as many small streets, but difficult to navigate as there are many many motorcycles, people with their carts full of goods, bicycles loaded with goods, and then the walkers.  Of course the cars, taxis and small buses then try to get through as well.

Lots of traffic here but at least there is not as many lanes of motorbikes to cross as there was in Ho Chi Minh City!

Early night tonight, feel exhausted even though I did seem to get a fair bit of sleep!

Nov 25, Hue, Vietnam

Did not do much.  Walked around a bit.  Went to look at Hotel Morin.  Very nice.

Then had lunch at French bakery.  Interesting as started by 2 French guys as a project to teach Vietnamese underprivileged kids how to bake.  Great bread!  Excellent coffee.

Spent the most of afternoon there, working on computer.  Very lazy but then had a 12 hour bus ride to look forward.

The bus was not that bad, much better than the last one.  Seat more cushioned which was nice.  

Left Hue about 6.30 pm, and stopped for dinner at 8.  Was told that was the last stop until Hanoi!  Good thing the toilet works on this bus!

Dinner was in the middle of nowhere.  But the people very friendly and lots of smiles!

Nov 24, Hue, Vietnam

A busy day on tour!  Another $6 tour including lunch.

Stopped at Old Citadel or the Purple Royal Palace.  As this was the former capital there is a large area walled with moat, and then there is also an interior wall.

Not much left as most has been destroyed, but what has been restored has a lot of Chinese influence.  Even the odd French influence.  The Chinese controlled for about 1000 years until the French took over in about 1845.

Garden House, which is where the former Emperor used to hide out.  Not much there but the yard was full of fruit trees.  Plum, jack fruit, dragon fruit, figs and more!

Thien Mu Pagoda

Ming Mang Tomb, the 2nd emperor built in mid 1800s.  He is remembered for improving the agricultural practices in the country.  The largest of the 3 with many lakes and buildings.  His tomb is a mound of dirt.  Apparently there is a room underneath containing all the things that he would need in the next life.  The sculptures are of guards, horses and elephants.  Similar to the Khai Dinh Tomb.

Khai Dinh Tomb, the 12th emperor.  It was this emperor that adopted the French policies and allowed the French to take over.

Tu Doc Tomb, the 4th emperor.  A large area as well, but there are many other tombs within the walls.

Incense Stick making Village, another stop for shopping!  But have to admit the coloured sticks looked very nice.