Ha Noi
The amount of traffic filtering through from all directions into Ha Noi is astounding. One such bus picked us up outside our hotel and dropped us off in the chaotic bus station a few kms outside of the Old Quarter. After a rather long (and expensive) taxi ride we were in the happening area of Ha Noi around the Hoan Kiem lake.
Each of the hundreds of streets has a name reflecting the kind of products one can purchase there. We settled into our cheap hotel room and set off to explore a bit. Strolling around the lake is great as the walkways are well designed and relaxing. One can watch the locals doing their stretching routines out here in the public. We found a huge supermarket and dined very well at a particular restaurant called Little Hanoi. Janine was very excited about all the shopping opportunities although prices in this tourist area were quite inflated for what one would expect to find in Vietnam.
The next morning we headed off to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum where the embalmed body of this long-since deceased national hero lies for all to view, albeit by strictly regulated control. The queue was long but quick. Bags are checked in and you are security checked. The hoards of people hoping to catch a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh are organized into long lines of pairs and marched off to the entrance. Silence must be observed, no hats, no hands in pockets, no cameras and a slow, reverend, but continuous walk around the body takes place, all this under the watchful gaze of uniformed custodians. So before you know it you are in and out.
The next morning we headed off to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum where the embalmed body of this long-since deceased national hero lies for all to view, albeit by strictly regulated control. The queue was long but quick. Bags are checked in and you are security checked. The hoards of people hoping to catch a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh are organized into long lines of pairs and marched off to the entrance. Silence must be observed, no hats, no hands in pockets, no cameras and a slow, reverend, but continuous walk around the body takes place, all this under the watchful gaze of uniformed custodians. So before you know it you are in and out.
Next to the mausoleum is the Ho Chi Minh museum - a striking abstract and artistic attempt at depicting the noble triumph of Vietnamese revolutionaries against the ruthless and decadent imperialist invasions they have known in recent history.
The rest of the time in Ha Noi was spent shopping (Janine had 180 fine napkins made for her sister's wedding and Johan decided to purchase an extra piece of luggage to handle our accumulating buys), eating and internetting (the usual). We also went to see the show that Ha Noi is famous for - a theatrical production of a traditional water puppetteering that evolved in the Vietnamese rice paddies as a form of entertainment. Each scene depicts something of the Vietnamese culture, beliefs and everyday life. We enjoyed it very much.
The rest of the time in Ha Noi was spent shopping (Janine had 180 fine napkins made for her sister's wedding and Johan decided to purchase an extra piece of luggage to handle our accumulating buys), eating and internetting (the usual). We also went to see the show that Ha Noi is famous for - a theatrical production of a traditional water puppetteering that evolved in the Vietnamese rice paddies as a form of entertainment. Each scene depicts something of the Vietnamese culture, beliefs and everyday life. We enjoyed it very much.
We also changed the date of our return flights to South Africa at the Singapore airlines offices and booked ourselves on a 2 day tour (by far the cheapest way to do it) of Halong Bay. Generally just a city where we could get things done.
Culture shock: One can't imagine the density of motorcycle traffic in this city. There is never a break in the traffic, so it does not help waiting for a chance to cross the street. The only method of pedestrian movement is to just walk, slowly and smoothly, across any road and let the traffic weave around you. Quite quick and easy once you get used to it!
Culture shock: One can't imagine the density of motorcycle traffic in this city. There is never a break in the traffic, so it does not help waiting for a chance to cross the street. The only method of pedestrian movement is to just walk, slowly and smoothly, across any road and let the traffic weave around you. Quite quick and easy once you get used to it!
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