Trying to catch up on the blog and edit the photos when I am not at the computer is hard, so thought I would jump ahead to today and fill in the gaps when I can. As just about all museums and sights of interest are closed in Hanoi on Mondays, I intelligently planned two Mondays here so had to make the best of today, Tuesday. Started the day at Hoa Lu Prison, the "Hanoi Hilton" as it was called by the Americans imprisoned there during the Vietnam War. The prison ...

The train arrived a little early and I was sound asleep on the top bunk as e pulled into the Hanoi train station. I had to quickly get myself and my things together (and ended up leaving my sweatshirt there). Once out of the station, I found a moto to take me back to the hotel. When I arrived I found the doors locked (5:30 A.M.) so I decided to resort to Plan B. However, I really needed to use the restroom. I had slept so well on the train that the need didn't ar...

Didn't sleep too well with the various boat noises, so I wasn't up quite as early to see the sunset. We had breakfast and were then offered the option to go swimming which everyone declined. The boat started back to Halong City and about two hours after breakfast we had lunch before disembarking. Then back into the van for the drive back to Hanoi. No detours this time, but as predicted, another stop at a handicraft center for the disabled. Once back in Hanoi aro...

I ordered an omelette but got a banana pancake with honey for breakfast which was quite good. Then I got the omelette and the hotel cook knocked over my coffee - it made a mess but I was unscathed. As most museums are closed Monday, today was the day to explore the Old Quarter and to search out rain gear which I left at home with last minute rearrangements. I had prepared a nice walking guide which didn't serve much purpose since I started in the middle and ended...

Off to a good start with a long and somewhat restful trip on EVA airlines - two decent hot meals and a personal movie screen so I could watch movies (The Perfect Host with David Hyde Pierce, Too Big to Fall (about the fall of the investment banks, and a Chinese movie, The Piano in the Factory), when not eating or dozing. Arrived in Taiwan for a change of planes only to be met by one of Taiwan's favorites. (see pictures). Thought about calling home or even sending...