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Buzzing, beeping, bustling Hanoi
We arrived in Hanoi during rush hour and I have never seen so many mopeds, scooters and motorbikes, carrying trees for Têt (Lunar New Year), baskets, boxes, fish tanks, pigs, chickens, you name it they can attach to their bikes. The Old Quarter consisted of lots of busy lanes with people eating crouched down on small plastic table and chairs, outdoor kitchens next to bins and petrol, women with triangle bamboo hats selling fruit and bits and bobs from their baskets all while scooters whizz past with no intention of slowing down.
Hanoi was probably the most crazy of places I have been to and definitely the busiest. I was sick one day and Neil the other but we still managed to see as much as we wanted. The walking market was huge and was popular with tourists and locals, selling lots of souvenirs and clothes, sunglasses etc. Seeing Ho Chi Minh's dead body was an insane experience! We had to show the up most respect on our visit, the boys having to spend 80,000 dong on sarongs to cover their knees (I for once was respectful in my leggings). We lined up to get into the mausoleum, a big grey cube shaped building, we slowly walked past the guards in white along a red carpet. The building was cold from the air con, we walked slowly up some stairs and past the glass coffin surrounded by guards in white. His body looked in perfect condition like a wax sleeping figure, he slightly glowed. It was a surreal experience. The complex also included a 25,000 dong fee to visit the outside of his house and presidential palace. The house was nice but didn't learn much. The museum was a huge soviet style building but also cost money so we left as Luke needed feeding as he missed breakfast.
Hanoi was crazy, the backpackers hostel and our hotel room was a safe place from the crazy outside. There were lots of bars but never got the chance to experience their club culture.
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