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We are here, the airport is beautifully new (1 year old), very clean and welcoming.
Travelmarvel transfer waiting for us as we leave the baggage collection area. Population of Hanoi, approx. 6 million, we can see Hanoi in the distance as we pass by outer country living, rice and vegetable fields.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and in Vietnamese Hanoi is actually two words - “Ha” and “Noi”. Ha means 'river' and Noi means 'inner'. Ha noi therefore means "Rivers Inner", so called because it is located between the Red River and Nhue River.
We cross the Red River via the new Nhat Tan Bridge (Japanese Friendship). The Red River was a major industry port however used less nowadays.
Room is ready for our arrival, glad because Dad needs to get some sleep so his illness passes, nice hotel - perfect for our four night stay. I feel a little under the weather, still have asthma but strong willed and venture out on my own to the Old Quarter.
Easy to get lost, so many little streets, street names all look same, lots of motorbikes everywhere. I have to learn how to cross roads, so why not; follow the locals..........tip don't go backwards, always keep walking, bikes will navigate around you.
I found the Ho Hoan Kiem Lake which is in the very heart of the old town, legend has it that in the 15th century, King Le Thai To was given a magical sword by a tortoise that lived in the lake and he used the sword to drive the Chinese from the country, but later the tortoise snatched the sword from his hand and disappeared into the lake.
Spent some time at café by the lake, and then walked to the end of the lake watching all the locals in the park area - exercising, cuddling, ice-cream eating, taking photos, playing backgammon and being competitive with a game of foot shuttlecock.
Returning I watched how the people rode their bikes, listening to the organised chaos of beeping, rickshaws ringing their bells, locals carrying food balanced in baskets on their shoulders, young couples getting photos taken, and locals selling anything from food to big bunches of balloons.
I wanted to get back before it got too late and before dark, as I returned, I noticed how many of the locals sit in front of shops on the sidewalk, having their evening meal, sitting at little tables and chairs, like cubbyhouse sets, noticeably the Vietnamese people are so much smaller than us, petite, elegant and short.
On return, Dad seems to have gained more strength, however we ate in and it was a fairly early night.
- comments
Cherie and John The two photos with the water reflections are gorgeous! xx