Hanoi

The first decent weather in Vietnam greeted us here. We took it easy, signing up for Halong Bay tour, get more money, see the well perserved turtle in the turtle temple, and saw a good water puppet play. Then at night few us from the place we stayed, went out to have "halloween" dinner.

On the day we came back from Halong Bay tour, we checked into the place where we are going to stay (wasn't great, but it was free) and started our plan for the next day. Shan is going to Hoi An the next evening and I am stay couple more days in Hanoi for sightseeing and shopping. I also find a new place to stay for two nights.

The next day, another gray day greeted me, I went for tour of Perfume Pagoda 53km outside of Hanoi. It took 2 hours to get there :( We have about 24 in our group. After getting out of the bus, we get on a tin boat (3-4 people per boat) and a peaceful 1.5 hour ride to our hike in point. As anywhere in Vietnam, the "resturant" at the landing point has the highest inflated price for water I saw in Vietnam.

Any after brief drink break, we started our 4km hike up the Perfume pagoda. the short hike was good work out, but our group is pretty out the shape, I waited 15 minutes for the first person to arrive. the sight wasn't great, just a Budda temple build into the cave. I guess as they say, it more of the journey than the destination.

After 20 minutes or so at the temple we headed back down for lunch, again, I waited another 15-20 minutes. Food was ok.

After the super late lunch (3:15PM), we visited a near by temple (no hills). And then we headed back to our boat.

The boat ride again was peaceful until near the end when the boat ladies (yes, only women, no men. Apparently Vietnames men like many third world countries, don't do much work) started demanding we give them tips. tipping is not customery in Vietnam. So me and the British lady decided to give 10,000 dongs (US 60c, average daily salary in Vietnam may be US $1) each, the other guy on the boat (German) did not react/give until he get off the boat (smart). Anyway on one boat with 4 people decided to give 100,000 dong (US $6)! And that boat lady started waving 100,000 dongs in our face demand we give the same! what a way to ruin an average trip. We did not give in of course.

Anyway a boring 2 hours back to Hanoi....

My Final day in hanoi started with morning run along the lake in old city, and followed by purchasing a 7AM flight for tomorrow to Hue. since the sky was gray again, so I decided to leave instead go on one day Halong Bay tour to capture that elusive magical picture.

I then hired a motor-bike/driver for a day around Hanoi.

Stop 1: silk village, I started my first shopping of the trip here. I bought some hopefully hand made silk items.

Stop 2: Enthnology Museum, interesting exhibts about the ethinic groups in Vietnam with some original and recreation of their dwellings. The place apparently is very popular with wedding couples. There must be 3-4 couples takine their photo here among the houses, very strange.

Stop 3: the temple of Literature/Royal College: a temple dedicated to scholars (what a concept instead drug using stupid athelets of western culture). A magical moment occured while I was there: the sky cleared and blue sky appeared! the first time since I arrived in Vietnam, whole 8 days later. Well too late for the visit Halong Bay again.

Stop 4 and final stop: the snake village. yes I ate snake, drink its blood, gal bladder etc. And yes, they killed the snake in front of me. I promise never to seek out snake meat intentionally again. I always want try snake meat, even for just once. BTW, it does not taste like chicken, I don't know how to describe the texture, a little chewy. you would have to try it to find out.

Now, only few hours before I leave for Hoi An.....