So... where did i leave off. Day-2 in hanoi was another equally hot day. We got up, had breakfat this time which consisted of scrambled egg and bacon (very nice!) and a roll... which is actually more like a loaf of break. Nothing like getting the day started with a hearty breakfast! lol. We then made our way back to the masoleum of Ho Chi Minh. On arrival we could see this was popular, the queue snaked all around, however the Vietnamese do know how to take care of their people with blue covers of the top of the walkway to keep everyone in the shade. Nice huh!. Another cut a long story short, we eventually entered the masoleum after 30 mins standing outside in the queue. It was quite eerie. Guards were positioned every five paces to ensure everyone kept respectful, did not put their hands in their pockets and certainly did not speak!. You are moved along into a room in the center of the chamber where Ho Chi Minh himself lies in a glass coffin with four guards surrounding him at each corner and nothing but a yellow likght on him. (i suspect to hide the decomposition if any, even though he is embalmed.) He just looked like he was sleeping, everything was immaculately presented... even his nails were cut short. We left there and entered the Ho Chi Minh Museum where there were artefacts and pictures of the man himself as well asotehrs from the war. Afetr leaving there we went to the Highland cafe again to kill some time and have lunch before heading to the Cathedral. A gothic structure which supports the catholic faith here in Hanoi.Looks considerably out of place compared to the rest of the city.
After all that excitement we went to the Hai Lo prision. A place thart held alot of vietnamese political prisoners in years gone by as well as the american pilots captures in the Vietnam War. Including John Mccain.(even have his pilot suit on display).Walking around there, you get a real sense of what it was like.... or maybe thats just because of the eerie music they kept playing. But it was interesting to see how they were treated.. (not very nicely) and interesting to see there was a group of wopmen prisoners who stood up for their rights and even started a school in the prison itself. Amazing to see the sewege drain that a few of the prisoners managed to escape out of.. how they fit through that hole.. i'll never know. Of course, there was also the big guillotine used to cut of the heads of the unfortunate few. Pictures were on the wall and everything... lovely.
As evening drew in, we went for dinner. Not a pleasant experience and hopefully the first and last one. I ordered fried chicken with lemon sauce and rice and Charlotte ordered some seafood dish. Within 10 minutes the food was i front of us. We thought "uh oh". My chicken looked nothing like the picture... was cheap bits of meat and definately looked liek it had just been warmed through. Definately did not touch it!! and Charlotte didnt eat much of hers either.. So still hungry and $5 down we went back to the cafe on the edge of the river and ate a snack. Grilled cheese on toast for me and fries for Charlotte. Not exactly vietnamese but when your hungry....... We then went to the Water Puppet Show. Was interesting to say the least. The music and singing was lovely and the water puppets were too,. I'm glad i went to see it but you could tell it was programmed for kids. Adults could see people moving behind the curtains sometimes and the guy in row in front of me kept leaning forward so could hardly see what was happening. Was on the verge of tapping him on the shoulder and asking him to move. That was the end of day 2.
Day3- Ninh Binh.
We arranged a tour to Ninh Binh(Halong bay on land) for today through our hotel. We were picked up at 8am after our "hearty" breakfast and off we went. Take two hours to get there in vietnamese traffic- as i said before crazy!- and bumpy , potholy roads don't make it easier. The area is of the old Ancient Capital of Vietnam many years ago. We visited two temples of the king and his wife on the way to the boats. We then sat down to lunch. Lots of food was put in front of us including tofu, goat meat, spring rolls, gree veg, rice, some beef thing ( think it was beef :S) chicken stir fry.... pity wasn't very hungry after our breakfast ! :O
Afterwards we then got into our we boats and was rowed along the river through great limestone mountains. Truly is the Halong bay on the land. What i don't get is how they can row the boats using their feet.... yes thats right.... their feet!!!. everyone does it, its mad. Don't know what else to say about it apart from it was extremely hot (37C degrees) today and extremely pretty.
Up early again tomorrow to go to Halong bay for the night and then on overnight bus down to Hue on Tuesday night so may not write for few days again.
sara xx
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