Day 5 and 6

Since we had such little time in Hanoi, we have been out and about nonstop for 2 days! I have to wake up in 2 hours anyway, so I figured I might as well stay up.

Day 5 - Exploring Hanoi
We got a late start in our day since we got to Hanoi late the night before and changed hotels the next morning. Thaison hotel definitely seems cleaner and more modern than Elegant hotel, which is where we were staying at the night we got into Hanoi, but ultimately, I don't think I saw much difference, except that Thaison was closer to where the heart of Hanoi was. Right off the bat, I could feel that Hanoi was a lot different from Saigon. Hanoi seemed less crowded, and the people here seemed to be better off, though Jess did say that we just couldn't see the poor folk as obviously.

Auntie's friend came to take us out to lunch and show us around. Lunch was at a German-themed restaurant called Hoa Vien. The decor was set up to look like a German beer hall and they served guiness style beer in small mugs. The dark beer was actually really good and the light beer not so good. For me, the formula usually goes the other way around. Foodwise, we ordered papaya salad with dried beef (apparently a Hanoi special), jellyfish salad, baked salmon with cheese (obvioulsy not a traditional Hanoi dish), sour fish soup, and grilled mushrooms for auntie. Along with all the food, I had 4 beers.

Right after lunch, we went exploring. Now after all i had eaten along with the 4 beers, food coma was kicking my butt. However, after we got out of the cab, we did a lot of walking, which woke me right up. We visited a temple in a lake where legend has it that a famous general returned the sword that was bestowed upon him by an ancient turtle. They actually had a stuffed turtle from that lake on display, with his *ahem* parts separated from the turtle also on display. I didn't understand why they displayed it like that, but it was there.

We then visited a temple dedicated to one of Vietnam's kings. At this temple, a large copper statue of the King had been enshrined. People believe that if your rub the statue, your wish will come true. Apparently, the copper statue become so popular that it became black. I joined in and rubbed his toe.

On our our final stop of the friendly tour, we walked along one of Hanoi's lakes and stopped at a temple where many renowned monks have come to pray and meditate. This temple was in the middle of another lake (not the same one as the first stop). It was also beautiful, but the most notable part of this temple was the shrine that had been built as layers. The way it was constructed was very interesting, and made it very hard to take an actual picture of it. Luckily, Jess had her flipcam to help out.

After resting a bit at the hotel, we went to THE place in Hanoi to get Bun Cha Ca. Some folks said you could get the same thing on the street for a cheaper price, but we went there anyway partly to be sure that we wouldn't get sick, partly because it was kind of a landmark, and partly because Auntie's friend wanted to take us there. I gotta say it - OMG. The food was fantastic, and I don't think I could ever eat bun cha Hanoi anything back in the states anymore. I see how far off they are. However, their service sucks. If we tried to get anything extra, like extra water bottles or soy sauce, they'd give you some major attitude.

We ended this very busy day with a trip to the night market in Hanoi, which is HUGE. It's actually bigger than the night market in Saigon, and probably bigger than Cho Ben Thanh. The way the street was blocked and arranged for the night market actually reminded me of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but without the hand grenades and alcoholics. Andre, I got you your ties bro, AND I'm bringing back change.

We went to bed soon after, since we were planning on getting up at 4 in the morning to leave for Ha Long Bay at 5.

One last thing, Hanoi folks can be quite rude!

Day 6 - Ha Long Bay, Pizza Hut, and Bia Hoi
So we got up a bit late and left for Ha Long Bay a bit late. Our Winnabego was waiting and ready to take us on the 4 hour trip to Ha Long Bay. If we calculate it out, we spent 8 hours today on the road, and only 3 hours actually in Ha Long Bay, but it was absolutely worth it.

Ha Long is a very humid place. Literally, every thing was covered in water. We went baller status and got our own boat to take us around Ha Long Bay (or so we thought - more on this later). On our way out towards the island caves and beaches that Ha Long Bay is known for, we do nothing but pose for pictures and enjoy the nice sea wind. When we get to the caves, it is absolutely breathtaking. I would try to describe it, but to be honest, I don't think my words, or even my pictures would do it justice. I'll post up my pictures, but anyone going to Vietnam should try to make a trip out to Ha Long Bay.

After leaving the caves, we get back on our boat, which took us behind the island cave to what looked like a neighborhood of houseboats. This word takes on different meaning here because literally, each one is a house built on a floating collection of styrofoam. Wood is laid out on top of the styrofoam to keep the whole thing together, and a house is built on a corner of it while the rest serves as a dock and space to farm their fish, crabs, shrimp and other seafood items. You can even pick out a fish or whatever from them and the deckhands working on your boat will cook it for you.

After we leave the neighborhood, we settle in for lunch, while the boat continues to circle the island and tell us about some of the rock formations. Our delightful sea trip was rudely interrupted though when we were told that they were heading back to shore, even though we thought we would be getting the boat for 4 hours. Auntie tries to explain that we rented a boat and not a personal tour, but this conversation goes nowhere quickly and we are left heading back to shore. Even with that though, the trip to Ha Long Bay was totally worth it.

Back in Hanoi, we're tired, but hungry, so we get dinner. At this point, I have to say that part of my exploration here in Vietnam is partly about how American food is redone here in Vietnam. Pizza Hut is one of those experiences.

This pizza hut is NICE (lol...never thought I'd say that). It's set up as a restaurant with interesting decor, and the menu is full of other non-pizza items. You can actually get a pizza combo meal with rice, which is something that we did NOT try. Auntie and Bao said they liked the pizza, but they could only finish two slices. Being the generous person I am, I ate all of the leftovers so they wouldn't feel guilty.

After dinner, I got to see Vi!!! It was actually a pretty fun hangout, even though I was pretty tired. Her friends were telling me about a specific Hanoi treat called Bia Hoi, which is freshly brewed daily and has nothing in it but actual beer stuff, snice it is served on the same day. It is very light, but actually tastes really good. We get a couple of glasses in before we all head back, since all of us were supposed to be getting ready to fly out.

I didn't get a chance to see Patrick on our super tight schedule, but I'll get to see him back in the states, so I don't feel too guilty.

Tired, but gotta get ready to fly high (BALLIN!). Hue next.