Day 8 of 36
Seoul, Korea to Hanoi, Vietnam
Flight 6 of 18
1,668 miles of 22,121 total trip miles
Up at 6 am to do email before my "time" runs out on the internet connection. Went to the bakery in the lobby for coffee and read the paper before heading out for some last morning touring of Seoul. It is very HOT early today.
Went to the Dondaemun Market and watched the merchants setting up for the day. The foods and fish stalls were interesting. I was pretty sweaty by the time I finished my walk. But walking around helped me loosen up my muscles from the workout they got yesterday!
Checked out of the hotel at noon and went to lunch before catching the shuttle to the airport. Had a Korean buffet with some more Kalbi beef and the most delicious lamp chops - so good. Interesting selection of foods including eel, snails, and some things I wouldn't dare try.
The airport bus was right on time. Again the madness of the traffic was something. No way I could drive here. Plus a lot of the sights are only in Korean. The drive was over 90 minutes to the airport. Once we got out of the city things moved along pretty good.
Checked in at Asiana Air, through security, immigration, and to the Asiana Lounge for a cocktail. Had a "massage" at one of their "Rest Chairs" - it was incredible, and actually felt like a deep tissue massage. Everything was right on time for my 4 hour flight from Seoul to Hanoi.
They did a "temperature check" in Hanoi of everyone just as they had done in Seoul, but this was using a heat machine. Lots of people here are wearing surgical masks to avoid contact with others in public due to the H1N1 virus. There is lots of concern here.
Once I got my bag I went to the ATM and got 2,500,000 dong. Gee - I'm a millionaire. My driver told me that they have money issues in that there are "too many zeroes"!
Went to the taxi stand but the Sofitel Metropole driver was there picking up a guest and hooked me up with a friend to drive me to the hotel. Oh, why not. He was informative and talked the entire way. Young guy with a baby girl and working all of the time to support his family.
Checked in at the Metropole (nicest hotel in Hanoi) and they escorted me to my room. Nice digs.
Did a little unpacking and then to bed about midnight - tired and looking forward to an uninterrupted night of sleep in Southeast Asia.
Excited about the adventures that lie ahead.
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