Monday September 7, 2009 Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 10 of 36

Hanoi, Vietnam

We woke up early - Tim a bit jet lagged but not too bad. Showered and dressed and went to the continental buffet at the hotel for coffee and bread. The homemade jams were delicious and the baguettes were just like in France.

We left to walk around Hanoi - we understand we can see it in one day.

First stop - the Hanoi Hilton - now known as Hoa Lo Prison - or Maison Centralle - this is the prison where American pilots who were captured by the North Vietnamese were imprisoned. John McCain was one of them. We saw the cells (very small) and somewhat biased commentary. They had a guillotine where they beheaded political prisoners. Interesting and sobering.

Then off to the Temple of Literature - established in the 10th century to teach. Confucius is quoted here. Beautiful gardens and buildings.

Crossing the streets is a real challenge - there is an ebb and flow you have to guage and then you just "walk" - don't run - across and weave through the ongoing traffic - sometimes both ways. Challenging, and frightening.

Then across town to the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. He wanted to be cremated , but after his death his advisors decided to embalm his body and put him on display. He has been viewed for 40 years now and the Russians use their technology to keep his body preserved (like Lenin). Supposedly he is better preserved than Chairman Mao which makes the Russians happy. So his body is off to Moscow to "have his sauce changed" like Mao. He'll be gone for 2 months.

It was very hot out. We walked by the Presidential Palace and where Ho Chi Minh lived and died. On to the West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda. It was in the smaller lake where Senator McCain crashed and was captured in the late 60's.

We stopped for lunch at a lake side restaurant. We had 6 beer, a plate of spring rolls, and chicken with noodles, and watermelon - all for less than $12. It was delicious.

We walked back toward the hotel through the Old Quarter - it was so hot! Another "forced march"? I was seriously overheating but we made it. Stopped for ice cream along the way by Hoan Kiem Lake. We saw people there in the morning doing morning exercises - swinging their arms all around. We don't know what that does!

Went by the statue to the ruler who unified the country in 1000 AD. Lots of flowers there in tribute to him.

We changed and went to the pool. Larry read and listened to music. Tim said he wasn't tired and went right to sleep for over an hour.

We showered and dressed and went to Angelina's for their 2-4-1 cocktails - which wasn't. We ordered the wrong drinks (which they didn't tell us!) and ours weren't available for 2-4-1. Oh well. The Vietnamese version of false advertising we decided.

Went to the hotel bar for another drink. Then to Le Beaulieu, the french restaurant in the hotel that was supposed to be excellent. It was good but not spectacular. A good relaxing dinner with good service in a beautiful room. Crepes suzette for dessert tableside was special.

Then off to bed. A great day of exploring Hanoi. Resting up for our day tomorrow at Halong Bay.