We got here around 1:30 this afternoon after spending last night in Bangkok. The hotel we stayed in was close to the airport and really convenient. So convenient, in fact, that it was called "Convenient Hotel and Resort"...and it was basically a replica of a Holiday Inn Express. Except that it had this toilet:
How great is that?! Haha...the room was actually really nice and then we walk into the bathroom and BAM! It's like they handed a two year old some stickers and said go to town. Love it.
So we flew over to Hanoi today and spent the day walking around the Old Quarter, which is the part of town we're staying in. It's also the part of town with the most French influence so it's really old/colonial looking. There's a beautiful lake right in the middle of the Old Quarter with floating temples on it. We were able to go into one of them and walk around. Really we just took pictures of the lake...so here goes:
This is the floating temple.
The red bridge to get over to the floating temple.
The other floating temple...but looks like you can't get there unless you feel like swimming. Probably not the best of plans.
Another part of the lake. There's a really pretty walkway that goes all the way around it...they call it a "jogging trail" and people were actually exercising everywhere around the lake. Except the kind of exercise they do here is ridiculous. And by ridiculous I mean absolutely hilarious to watch. They just stand there and swing their arms around then crouch down and swing their arms some more, then shake each leg for a while, then do a little jig, then repeat. How this is supposed to be good for you is beyond me but it was definitely entertaining to watch.
Our hotel in Hanoi is amazing. Everyone who works here is absolutely wonderful and accommodating. It's one of the nicer hotels we've stayed in the whole trip. They even booked us a cruise on Ha Long Bay for tomorrow night. I'm really excited about this. Apparently Ha Long Bay is currently being considered to be one of the new "Wonders of the World." So basically it's going to be gorgeous. We cruise on a junk (Vietnamese yacht basically) and we get to go kayaking, and we stop at some secluded beaches and islands and such. It should be really nice. We get back to Hanoi on the 28th and we're staying at this same hotel again. The 29th we'll be heading to Nha Trang...beach town! Super excited about that, naturally.
Oh also while in Hanoi today we went to a water puppet show. It was...interesting. I had read about how it was "absolutely necessary" to go see the water puppet show, and it was only two dollars, so we went. Basically, you go into this theater (think super miniaturized version of Bass Concert Hall and/or just a lecture hall at a university with comfy red seats) and the stage is a pool of water with a big Vietnamese building in the background/palm treees, etc. The puppeteers stand behind the building thing and move the puppets around in the water. Then there's traditional Vietnamese musicians sitting on the side playing music...and I guess I'm not the biggest fan of Vietnamese music. Just got kind of bored. The whole thing was actually pretty boring. But it's a really traditional Vietnamese art form, so we did our part to experience the culture while we were here. I'll just pass on those from now on.
By the way, if I was to die here it would be from getting plowed down by one of the eight billion motor bikes coming at you at any given time. There are no "you can walk now" signs on any street so you basically just have to start walking, don't look anyone in the eye, and hope that the oncoming traffic sees you and swerves to miss you. We've had more than one near death experience, to be honest. But amazingly, the people are used to this, and they all drive pretty slow (as opposed to the crazy fast drivers in Bangkok) so I think we'll be ok. :)
I'll post about Ha Long Bay when we get back! Hope all is well.
4 comments:
Well, again you have managed a snicker out of me... the toilet was too much and then the motor bikes just topped it off...
Enjoyed the pics as usual!! Can't wait to get an update on the next stop... Makayla askes everynight if we have new pictures yet...
Until next time... be safe and have fun!!
Pam
Scootie --
If you ever decide that the law is not for you, look into being a travel writer . . . you are not bad.
The john with stickers is priceless -- would love to know what they are thinking.
Thoroughly enjoyed your exercise description -- most unusual.
And watch those motorbikes -- sounds like you take your life in you own hands there.
Can tell that you are having an absolute blast and I am sooo glad!
I'm leaving for the lake Monday for two weeks -- I can access your blog on my blackberry and will do so. However, am having troubles entering comments via blackberry. Just check your e-mail as I will be doing that while I am at the lake.
Take care -- love to M
aab
That toilet would have gone perfect in the turquoise bathroom dammit.
You look like you are having fun!! We need to plan a cool trip like that for next summer. Maybe Fiji?? The apartment is awesome by the way!
Catherine,
So glad to have an alternate to Michole's blog. She doesn't write often enough. The pictures are awesome. I am so happy that this trip is everything you and Michole had hoped for. Can't wait to see all the pics. I think this is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for you both. Enjoy.
Michole's mom.
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