Yesterday we left Halong Bay and headed back to Hanoi, stopping at a couple of locations along the way, a ceramics place and handicrafts place where we had lunch (one of the worst of the trip). Arrived in Hanoi and checked back into the hotel. Had a skype session with mum before going on a walk around the hotel. We are staying out of the old quarter and it isn't so touristy here which is nice. Surrounded by locals going about their daily business and there is a bustling local market just around the corner. We met up and jumped in taxis to head to a Water Puppet show. Was very interesting. It went for about 45mins and stories were about local life and also legends. There was a small band on the side, playing traditional instruments who also voiced some of the stories, although they were all in Vietnamese. I didn't get a program till after the show ended but that helped explained what I had just seen.

We went for dinner in the Old Quarter. This area just has such an energy to it and lots of shopping to be done. This morning we visited Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Luckily it wasn't too crowded…I have heard the queue can snake for hours some times. Lots of soldiers on guard and keeping an eye out for people with hats or sunglasses on or hands in pockets. He is laying in state, like he is just sleeping. This is not what he wanted. From what I've read he was a very simple man and he just wanted to be cremated but he is such a huge figure to the local people. We also visited the house where he lived and worked and the Presidential Palace (where he never lived, it was too grand for him).

We went to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and I was expecting to find out about his life but it was one of the weirdest museums I have been to. Almost like a contemporary art gallery the way it was set out. Wasn't really my cup of tea. A group of us then walked back to the old quarter and along the lake before having lunch with a view over the lake. Toni, Paul and I visited Ngoc Son Temple which is on an island on the lake. You cross over a beautiful red bridge to get to it. Felt very peaceful although the hustle and bustle of Hanoi is not far away.

We then explored the Old Quarter just wandering and wandering some more. Found somd hidden temples down alleyways, one in the upstairs of a home, lots of local markets and people just going about their daily business. Lots of fresh food for sale, including frogs, turtles, fish, crabs, sea worms, etc. We're thinking we will be trying some of those on our street food tour tomorrow. We tried a cheese stick and potato chips on a stick (fresh potatoes sliced and put on a skewer and then deep fried).

Had a drink overlooking the lake before heading back to the hotel to get ready for our farewell dinner. We went to KOTO (Know One, Teach One). We also visited their restaurant in Saigon. They train street/disadvantaged youth in hospitality over 2 years, giving them accomodation and training and also life skills. They have a 100% success rate in their staff being employed elsewhere after the 2 years. This dinner was included and we had a set menu. Food is divine and the staff try really hard. It is a great enterprise which was started by a Vietnamese born Australian. Hard to believe tonight is the end really. Rosina is flying out tonight, Dale and Reece fly out tomorrow. Time for goodbyes once more.