6/22/13

Hanoi-> Vietiane

So apparently I'm still jet lagged because I woke up at 4:30 and 6:30 this morning. I decided to get up around 8:30 to have breakfast. Kristine met me downstairs in the scorching hot lobby. I had warm fruit, warm juice and warm eggs (do you see a pattern!?) I then finished packing my bag ( side note- I'm the only one on the whole trip that has a rolling duffel bag... Everyone else has massive backpacks!)

I brought all my stuff downstairs and got the receptionist to call me a cab. I took the cab a couple miles to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. The cab driver had to drive part way around the block because the line to get in was so long.

I got in the line that was so long it would make any line on a Disneyland ride look short. After about 25 minutes I approached the entrance. A woman working near the front pulled me out of line and told me I wouldn't be let in because my shoulders were exposed in my tank top and my shorts were above the knee. She sent me to a souvenir stand that was selling sarongs and scarves. She promptly wrapped me in a sarong and put the scarf on my shoulders. I got back in line (where people were so pushy and constantly trying to push past me and cut in front).

A couple minutes later I made it to the security check point. I had to check on my camera and was told I couldn't take my phone out. After weaving through the line I finally made it to the entrance. There were multiple armed guards standing at attention at the entrance. It was nice and cool inside and after going up some stairs we finally entered the room where Ho Chi Minh's body is displayed in a glass case under spotlights also being guarded by armed guards. It was a but disturbing to see but they filtered us through the room pretty quickly.

I then picked up my camera and put my sarong and scarf away. There is a lot to see around the palace grounds. I really enjoyed seeing Ho Chi Minh's find display of cars. I also liked seeing the house on stilts that he apparently used to use as one of his offices.

After strolling around the grounds, I headed out to the street to catch a cab. I was frequently propositioned for rides on motorbikes. I found a cab and headed back to the hotel.

Kristine was finishing packing because we had to be out of the room by 12. We ended up meeting everyone in the lobby so we could head out to lunch at a bakery/cafe called Joma.

We had a couple hours to hang out there because we didn't have to head to the airport until about 2:30. I hung out with a couple British girls who were doing some traveling before heading off to "uni" aka college. (Side note- I am officially the old lady of the group! At least our guide, Chen, is older than me so I don't feel too bad :)

After my chicken bagel sandwich lunch, we walked back to the hotel to get ready to head to the airport. After loading up and heading off, it started to pour rain... Perfect timing! :)

We got in line at the airport (which was also scorching hot!) and boarded our afternoon flight.

Once we get into Laos it should only be about a 15 minute drive to our hotel. We will then head out to dinner and (hopefully!) go to bed early!

Until next time!