Hanoi

Posted by Brian

Posted on August 9, 2007

Hanoi is again like any city here. A bit more westernised than Vientiane though. The first thing you notice about Hanoi though is the traffic. Hundreds of mopeds on narrow streets zipping past you, with blatant disregard for the rules of the road. Red lights mean nothing in Hanoi and the green man means target practice for the mopeds. If you want to cross the road, you just walk out and let them swerve to avoid you! Its crazy. Apparently Ho Chi Min is worse, although I don't see how it could be.

When me and Jonny arrived at the airport in Hanoi we got ourselves a bargained down taxi driver. He was leading us to the car park when a security gaurd stopped us, mentioned something about the mafia and showed us to the taxi rank. It was 2 dollars more than the mafia dude but probably worth it.

We didn't do a whole lot in Hanoi. It was very humid and with the traffic, getting around was a burden. We did get a new camera though, for a very reasonable price, because my charger still wont work. Not happy.

Another thing worth mentioning about Vietnam is that the women are stunning. The one at reception in our guesthouse looked like Tia Carrera! They are definitely much better looking than the Thai's. The people here are much friendlier too and their English is excellent. Will be looking in the lonely planet though to see if I can pick up a few phrases. The one good thing here though is that we can read the letters. In Thailand and Laos letters look like a drunk man had a piss in the snow!

The Irish girls that had made up our group in Laos met us on the second day in Hanoi and we went to dinner where a mouse ran across one girls foot and then on to a jazz club, where a rat hopped up onto the stage. It really is a filthy city. There are bags of rubbish thrown on the street. Its still a nice city though, but again I think 2 nights is enough. There are tours around Hanoi but all the travelling lately is starting to take its toll.

We went to the same Irish bar both nights we were in Hanoi, for a very simple reason, lock-in. Most of the places aeem to shut at 11:30 but we walked up to this place and they opened the shutters to let us in for a few. Not too shabby. Apparently they do a great fuck off fry too but we didn't bother going for that.

At the moment we are in Hue on the way to Hoi An. It took us about 12 hours to get here and we have another 4 to go I think. Its a quiet town but big enough, although again, I doubt we'll wonder it. We have big bags with us while we wait for the next bus. We are in a place that has free internet, and free pool. Will keep us occupied for a bit.

Looking forward to Hoi An. There are 30km of white sandy beaches there. Should be good. ALthough the weather is meant to be really bad down there. Will have to see how it goes.

Talk soon

Brian

Just had to try one!!

Us and the Irish girls at a Jazz club

Jonny and Mary