Hanoi Uno

Well, nervousness about not being able to utter a single word of Vietnamese disslved upon discovery that everything has Engrish subtitles, and most people speak some also (except our cyclo!).

Arrived late yesterday. Could see Flash waiting through the plate glass before I even picked up my bag (It might have been the height (unusual for him!), or the colour of skin). First offer of cab started to lead us off into a darkened parking lot... needless to say, there was a second offer!

Hotel Flash found was NOT the one he was looking for. There goes his custard... right from the start! Room was Ok, people were kind of OK, bathroom was NOT Ok. We checked out next morning and found the correct hotel. Much better (after two insistents of needing TWO beds), but I don't think the aircon works. Obviously didn't pay the upgrade for that!

Hmmm, talking until 2AM might not have been such a good idea, we discovered upon being woken at 6AM by horns honking in street below. :-)

We wimped and had european style breakfast... on a lake front. Very nice. Good coffee too... first in years!!! Witnessed the first of my VN traffic on the way... 3 adults on one 90cc motorbike! No rules at the intersection below the balcony... quite amusing/scary to watch.

Took cyclo from new hotel to Post Office.... NOT. Round and round old quarter "one hour OK?". Eventually ended up near water puppet booking office... ditched cyclo (after being seriously ripped off!). Silly man, he loses our ongoing business. Can't wait to meet Dalat in Saigon.

Lots of walking round lakes today. Incense in temple, etc. No neon halos on Buddha yet, still looking. Have bought several kitsch gifts for people already. :-)

Met Lan Anh and husband (name half way between hung and hong). Learned how to pronounce Honda Om, will need that on Thursday, when back from Cat Ba. Ate first Vietnamese food this evening. GOOD! And more good coffeeeee :-D

Off to Water Puppets now.

We're having SOOOO MUCH FUN! And you should see the video footage of us crossing a busy street I think we have the hang of VN traffic now.... :S (message for Flash's Mum.... deep breathe... in... out... in....)

BTW DLA, tried for Korean 1000, no new ones sorry.

Love and Hugs
GBFSB