A Day in Hanoi

I got to Hanoi, logged onto my phone and started chatting with a guy who offered to shuttle me around on his day off.  So, instead of having to worry about taxis and walking, my friend Ngoc picked me up and we were off on seeing the sites of Hanoi!  Thanks, Ngoc!

"Celebrate 59 years since independence!"  1954 was the year the Vietnamese defeated the French at Dien Bien Phu.

First stop, Ho Chi Minh's memorial.  Inside the memorial we passed Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body.

Inside the mausoleum complex are many buildings.  Here's the Presidential Palace which was the home of the French Governor of Indochina.

The Stilt House, Ho Chi Minh's residence from 1958 to 1969.

Next stop, the Temple of Literature

A running theme that I concluded (rightly or wrongly) is that Vietnam is much like China.  The Temple of Literature houses a Confucian temple.

It was also a place for Confucian study and where the exams were given.  Therefore it is the unofficial first University in Vietnam.

Just like in China, the names of those who faced the Confucian exams are carved onto stele that ride turtles.

Find Ernie!

For lunch, we went to this restaurant that was written up in the International New York Times.

It's located in a residential neighborhood near Truc Bac Lake.

It's a nostalgia filled restaurant!

It's theme is a throwback to the state-fun food shops of the 1970's when the government even ran restaurants.  Although it no longer runs on the ration card system, the old signs have been hung up on the wall.

Ration cards.

Ngoc ordered and this arrived first.  A dome of rice?

Turns out, just a shell of crispy rice.  Dipped in sauce and it was one of the best things I ate in Vietnam!

Last stop, the "Hanoi Hilton."  Here's the entrance of Ho Loa Prison (it's actual name).  The French built this in the late 1800's to house prisoners, specifically Vietnamese who were anti-French colonial rule.

As I learned in my week in Vietnam....the "propaganda" quotient is laid on thick.

John McCain's flight suit.  The current museum is housed in about what is 25% of the original Ho Loa prison.  The rest of it was torn down and a high rise was built on that land.  Progress in Vietnam!

Halong Bay Part 2

One morning during the trip, we had the opportunity to visit a floating village.  Here the residents come by in their boats to pick up us tourists to take a lap around the village.

Home to about 200 families, their lives revolve around fishing.

A floating market!

The Japanese have set up oyster/pearl farm.  I wish that I spoke Vietnamese to be able to find out more about the history of this village and about their lives. 

Here is a resident who has been trained to implant the mother of pearl into the oyster.  It's kind of cool to see how it's done.

Halong Bay Part 1

Two weeks for Christmas & New Years Holiday so I decided to head to Vietnam and Thailand.  First stop, Ha Long Bay.  Three nights and two days aboard the Treasure Junk!

Perfect weather and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

On both days, we spent time kayaking.

The facilities were way nicer than I expected.  Since I was traveling solo, I was seated by myself, but was adopted by another group!

At night, squid fishing.  I dropped my hook in nonchalantly and after 5 minutes, had a squid on the hook. Here it is releasing it's ink! 

Morning sunrise from my room!

Beach ahead!

I've now swam in the Gulf of Tonkin

I wanted to drive the ship.....and they let me!

This boat is loaded with fresh water to resupply the boats as they return passengers and pick up new ones in Ha Long City.