Sunday September 6, 2009 Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 9 of 36

Hanoi, Vietnam

Woke up again at 5. My body clock just seems to have trouble adjusting but I'm almost there. Checked email and see that Tim left Atlanta on time for Seoul. He arrives in Hanoi tonight at 10 pm. Went back to sleep until 7. Then got up and showered and dressed.

Off for coffee. Headed out to explore and get the "lay of the land". First challenge: How to get from one side of the street to another without getting killed! The traffic with cars, buses, minibikes, motorcycles, and bicycles is incredible. You wait for a bit of a lull and then walk - yes walk - they tell me never to run - from one side to another. The traffic will avoid you. It was something. Headed to Hoan Kiem Lake first - lots of people sitting around (many with only one sandel on - puzzling!). Many waving their arms as if they were exercising.

Headed into the Old Quarter - full of shops, traffic, restaurants, people, and things to see. The sights, sounds, and smells were exhilerating. Loved it. Stopped at a coffee shop for coffee and a banana muffin. It cost about $4.

Went by St. Joseph's Church built in 1886 - they were having a service since it is Sunday and it was packed.

I was approached by literally dozens of men wanting to polish my shoes - but I had sandals on! And then many others wanted to give me a ride (for a fee) on their minibike! Lots of people hawking what they can.

Went to the Opera Theatre, found the Press Club (dinner on Tuesday) and went back to talk to the concierge about tours. Hanoi can be seen in one day, so Tim and I will do the city tomorrow on our own at our own pace. Tuesday I booked a tour to Halong Bay. We have dinner reservations tomorrow night at Le Beaulieu, a reknown Vietnamese French restaurant here in the hotel, and Tuesday night at The Press Club - also highly recommended. Hopefully, we'll have meals to remember both nights.

It was SO HOT that being out in the sun was unbearable, so I grabbed my book and headed to the pool and found a lounge chair and umbrella. Read for a while, took a dip, and then treated myself to a foot reflexology session. Dio was my therapist and my feet feel so much better now. She did my feet and lower legs. She used a stick to push at the pressure points on my feet. Hurt at times, but the hurt was worth it.

Napped and then headed back to the room to get ready to room around now that the day is cooling off a bit. Tonight is the last night of the Night Market, so I'm headed there shortly.

There was so much traffic - it is amazing all of the minibikes zipping around - you take you life in your hands trying to cross the street - but they warn you to "walk" - don't run! So I'm doing that and it works! It is amazing the yin and yang of the traffic - it all works somehow.

Mostly clothes and bags and jewelry at the Night Market - nothing to buy - walked around a while and then headed back to the hotel. Had an ice cream along the way - it is still HOT!

Took a shower and dressed and went to the Vietnamese Restaurant at the hotel for dinner. Ate way too much - but it was delicious. A food tour of Vietnam. Glad I did that.

Went back to the room about 9:30 and read for a while - waiting for Tim to arrive - probably about midnight. But he arrived at 11 pm - they were 30 minutes early arriving from Seoul and he had a driver from the hotel so they came right in. He had been traveling for 14 hours from Atlanta and was pooped.

The next 2 days are planned out so we went to sleep in anticipation of our upcoming adventures.