Had such a quality day today with the group, had an official city tour of Hanoi. It was much the same as yesterday, but we also saw where Ho Chi Min lived. He was a humble man, and wouldn't live in the presidential house, but had a small house on stilts built. We also saw the literacy temple and then we had the afternoon free. We had a walk around the city with half the group, but needed coffee first, so headed to lake view, a high rise at the side of the lake with incredible views. The coffee was great and traditional Vietnamese coffee is made with condensed milk, which I actually like.. We didn't really have much time on the afternoon, as we had already checked out of our hotel and was expecting the bus to take us to the station at 6. So after coffee we had to find beer and food. Beer first!, sorted 24 cans for 6 pounds, that will do.... Then off to the local French cafe for cheese sandwich, which turned out to be sooo tasty esp. with Vietnamese Pringles sprinkled with MSG...... At about 4 we got back to the hotel and propped up the bar with around 10 others and sculled a few pints before heading to the station. As we approached the "platform" I was just amazed at how behind the times their train infrastructure was, the.l station was literally a small hall and after about 5 meters you were on the platform?, which was essentially just the train at the side of the road, which I found cool, old off of the 30's style, I almost half expected an old steam train and steam filled platform with tranquil music and a dramatic toot of the horn whilst all being played in a sepia type colour.. I know, Amez,.. So we jumped aboard and the rooms were teet, I mean 4 to a cabin and bunk beds, but we had the booze, the snacks and the iPad, so tunes a plenty........ We had the most incredible time on the train, which by the way we were aboard for 14 hours, but the party was only just starting.. So far it's been the best way to get to know the others on the trip and to say we only met them 3 days ago, we feel like we know them so well,.. I found myself cabin hopping and checking out the other guys on our tour's cabins and just chat... And after a few beers there was a lot of chatting, the party went on until around 3 and we were off the train by 8 so very little sleep and definitely suffered today. We also met two guys from a different carriage, not sure on names but gay porn star from Sweden and brother in law, who was French... Crazy, but hilarious. They joined us for cake as it was someone's pretend birthday and drank with us into the night. We are so happy with the other tour members, a great diverse group with a great sense of humour... Literally just got into the hotel, it's 8: 30 in the morning and we have less than an hour to be ready and off for a full day of river cruising, temples and pagodas....
Laters, Moon, x