Hanoi -30/06/06 Silver bird was mode of transport - 1 1/2 hours - instead of 3,000,000 on a bleeding bus. No thinking required for that one! Hanoi is the capital of North Vietnam-The Grand Old Dame of Asia.I might add she is ageing far better than some of her contemporaries.After the Vietnam partition -Hanoi lay static- 40 years later with economic reforms has she got herself back on her feet- and continues to strive into the present charging world. Having survived American bombs and Russian planning(They are everywhere!)most of the damage has been repaired. Parts of Hanoi have an elegance - with loads of cool restaurants and shops - sort of Nottinhill in Asia!! Full of wealthy fun loving young Vietnamese and expats- out for a reprieve from work and local stressloads. Met a great trio whilst in La Salsa- chomping away on tapas and a v good margherita(bar man was a sweet French guy on work experience & boy could he make good margheritas) Well we all got chatting and Jamie,Marian,Neil(removals, reals estate) were wonderful hosts & hostesses. So hospitable and kindly invited me to join them over the weekend for various activities. Location a small restaurant in the back of beyond - local & a bit scary. The Snake banquet- where live snake is killed in front of you- blood a go go into glass along with pulsating heart- every course in some form of snake- the most interesting was the snake skin deepfried- a little bit like pork scratchings! The snake came in soup form, fried form, spring rolll form, grilled with /without skin- I ate a lot of rice! The occasion was a farewell party - 25 French and some Vietnamese -youthful,fun and eager to fall over with the rice wines,bloods and whatever the brown liquid was.A very jolly evening- and a great memory. Followed by the defeat of the Poms at the Embassy Towers. Felt so sorry for the boys of the England team- nearly had a heart attack with the exitement.4 more years to get over it.