Hello from Hanoi!

We arrived at Hanoi, Vietnam at around 1200hrs after a very comfortable, (we had a row each!)two hour flight from Bangkok.

We were approached by a woman who was herding westeners together to take them to the centre of Hanoi in a mini-bus, the price seemed reasonable so we went along. Being Dongless, we first had to get some cash so headed for the nearby ATM, Julie thinking that she'd pressed 250,000 was alarmed when the machine spat 2,500,000 out at her. Whilst she panicked about what she'd do with all her wonga kirst did the calculations and realised that it was actually only around 85 pounds so not such a big deal after all. Certainly the first and only time she'd be a millionaire!

After a 40 minute bus journal we were emptied on to a street side in the Old Quatre of Hanoi- there were several tauts all promising good room rates. We'd already picked a hotel we'd liked the look of out of the L.P and a young Vietnamese guy promised to take a few of us there. 15 minutes later we were at the 'Backpackers Hotel,' not actually where we'd intended to go but we had a look anyway and decided to book for at least a night.

The hotel was very comfy, we had air-con for the first time in ages, a mini bar and a television with MTV and round the clock movies- uh oh!

So the first evening went something like this:  Found a LP recommended resturant just up the road and ate meals that consisted of sea food and alot of garlic, we like garlic but they lurve it over here! We then went back to our room had a hot shower, blasted on the air-con to arctic like temperatures, snuggled down in our clean and cosy beds and settled down to watch 'Fire in the Sky.' Bliss!!

Julie woke up bright and early the next morning and turned over to find Kirsty still asleep clutching the air-con remote in one hand and the T.V remote in the other, a contented look spread accross her face.

After we had both showered and dressed we thought we'd do a little sight seeing, the first stop the 'Hanoi Hilton.' So julie dragged Kirsty kicking and screaming away from her beloved MTV and we were on our way.

So, how to get there?

Taxi- too expensive, on a bicycle- we'd die, walk- nah, on the back of a motor bike- no-way-hozey! So we ended up flagging down one of the rickshaw type things (cyclo), a seat powered by a guy peddelling behind.

We intended to flag down another cyclo but the guy would'nt hear of it, we were pointing at the seat and then at our hips, saying we need two- too big! As we looked around we saw many cyclo's carrying lone passengers. Anyway, thinking we'd try and save a few pennies Julie hopped on leaving four or five inches of seat. Kirst looking rather anxious, was desparately trying to find an available cyclo for herself, but alas she searched in vain! Eventually the man persuaded us and a reluctant Kirsty climbed aboard, half sat on Jules with the rest of her oozing into the passing flow of traffic, in fits of giggles we headed off. As we rode by you should have seen the stares we got from the locals and foriegners alike, many had to double-take and nearly landed themselves in accidents in the process. About half way, Julie's legs were turning a shade of purple and she was unable to feel her toes, Kirst was about pass out in pain from the developing pressure sore on her right hip so it was time to switch places, which we managed to do whilst still on the move- not easy i can tell you. So for the rest of the journey we kept our eyes to the ground whilst Kirsy sat craddling Julie like a babe in arms wishing the ground would open up and swallow us!

We reached Hoa Lo Prison Museum which is all that remains of the Hoa Lo Prison which was nicknamed the 'Hanoi Hilton' by US POW's during the American War. The bulk of the exhibits focused on the Vietnamese struggle for independance from France.

The prison was opened in 1896 and was one of the largest of French prisons in the north of Vietnam. Hoa Lo Prison quickly became a place where thousands of patriots and revolutionary fighters were imprissoned and tortured, both spiritually and physically. Many Vietnamese sacrificed their lives here to secure the independence and freedom of the nation.

A very interesting and educational visit all in all!

We spent the rest of the time wandering the mazelike streets and numerous markets, mingling with the locals who were very friendly on the whole. Kirst even got a go at carrying pole-baskets whilst doning the traditional connical hat- of course she had to buy a pound of bananas for the privillage! We strolled around the Hoan Kiem Lake and witnessed locals of all ages taking their daily exercise. We had lovely meals over looking the lake, the service is exceptional- with the waiteress/ess hovering close by, eyeing up your plate, ready to dish out more rice if need be- you felt as though you'd get a slapped wrist if you tried to help yourself!

The city as a whole felt quite different to Bangkok. The traffic is crazy- you feel as though you're playing dodgeball with the motor bikes and cyclo's, apparently the idea is to walk slowly so that the traffic, (which comes at you from all directions) can swerve around you!

Hanoi did have more charm than Bangkok and it was a relief to get away from the 7-11's and Burger Kings that could be found on most street corners! Thankfully Hanoi, from what we've seen so far has managed to steer clear of western commercialism.

We decided that we would like to see Halong Bay as we'd heard that it was beautiful and only a couple of hours north of Hanoi.