Hanoi, Vietnam

Upon my arrival to Vietnam I quickly learned that Facebook is blocked on many wifi connections.  So not being able to post much on Facebook from my iPad I am sharing now my favorite pictures of my time spent in Hanoi.  It's immediately wild and crazy ~ a far cry from the relaxed, laid back country of Laos which I had just arrived from.  Horns honking constantly and millions of motorcycles wildly weaving in and out from everywhere!!!  Although it's a big city, the capital of Vietnam, crime is inevitably ~ but the most dangerous thing you will encounter is trying to cross the street!  Usually I would rent a bicycle or moped and take off on my own....but not here!  NO WAY!

I was met my first night by Quynh Vu who was a contact from Butch Lund in Minnesota and we quickly became fast friends.  She arrived at my hotel shortly after I had checked in at the Nam Hai Hotel at 9:00 PM and met me the next morning as well.  Although Quynh and her husband live in Ho Chi Minh City, they just happened to be in Hanoi on business when I arrived.  Perfect!!!

We spent the morning arranging  my travel plans for a city tour, a 2 day cruise to Ha Long Bay and a train trip north to Sa Pa.  After all tours were arranged she took me to a the oldest restaurant in Hanoi for lunch, Cha Ca La Vong, where all they serve is ~ you got it ~ Cha Ca!  A sizzling pan of fish brought to the table with a wonderful mix of fresh exotic greens and fresh white rice noodles ~ served with a strong pungent milky fish sauce!

My hotel which I had previously booked on Agoda.com was a pleasant surprise and a wonderful introduction to Vietnam.  Decorated with lavish Vietnamese furniture inlayed with mother of pearl, a mini bar full of  cold Heineken, a flat screen TV, a flat screen computer in my room and a jacuzzi tub!  All for $17.00 a night!   What's not to love about Vietnam!!!

My city tour the following day was great, booked through Sinh Cafe, a good cheap travel agency, and for $20 I saw more of Hanoi than a lot of the locals probably even know about.  My favorite was probably getting to see Ho Chi Minh himself at his mausoleum!   He is on display 10 months a year and the other 2 months his body is flown to Russia to be submerged in 'special' water and then back to Hanoi for display!!!  No pictures were allowed and the guard even made me take off my sunglasses upon entering as I learned later that it is considered rude when they cannot see your eyes!!!

Vietnam proves to be amazing.........

Sa Pa, Vietnam

Taking the overnight train from Hanoi up north to Sa Pa was yet another great, amazing adventure!  It is a beautiful mountainous area where various hilltribes appear to live in harmony!  It is mystical and alluring.  

The tribal girls are extremely annoying trying to sell you their wares and follow you around until you eventually fall in love with them!  You do...they are relentless!  But the one girl who followed me was my anchor when we were trekking, I don't know how I would have made it without her constant support and helping hand!

 I fell asleep each night with their manta in my head....'Buy from ME, Buy from ME, Buy from ME'.....and so I bought and fell in love with Sa Pa!