Hanoi-040706 Just got back from my cookery course at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel-WOOOOOweee.The best yet. I cannot believe the food we cooked- stuffed crab- steamed-deep fried stuffed pincers, rolls - different style- beef marinated with lemon grass grilled and served inside lemon grass sticks,fried rice - but the best I have ever tasted, hot sour fish soup with lotus seeds. The most wonderful Vietnamese woman chef under the charge of Didier Colou who is world reknowned. Had dinner there again tonight which was simply OUTSTANDING. A trio of surprises: shrimp on bamboo stick served on piping hot stone,glass of urchin and sharks fin soup, lychee filled with mint and shrimp stuffing which made you close your eyes and groan in total culinery plesure.Then a mystery soup- s***ake mushrooms,shrimp and heavenly broth, followed by chicken in a s***ake /soy sauce.Dessert was sublime-honey blossom icecream with a sugar cage on a jelly of orange -garnished with the cutest little bee made of marzipan and toasted almond wings. A lemon sorbet to cleanse. I know I exaggerate but this restaurant has to rate as one of my top ever. I have another reservation for lunch on Friday after a dose of coiffure attention. This course and restaurant have surpassed all expectations. I am so chuffed and excited to put the recipes from book to practice. Photos will follow as soon as I get downloaded. Hanoi has been a great stopover and one I highly recommend to all- it is buzzing and contains real empathy and heritage. Halong Bay tomorrow for some serenity and more beauty- so will let you know as soon as I can scribble down suitable descriptions and stories- of which there are bound to be a few. Cannot tell you how good I feel and am so thrilled and lucky to have had this experience in Vietnam. It was absolutely the right thing for me to do at this time of my life and career. Thanks God. Night night