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We headed to Hanoi today. But before we left, we set out to get last minute bakery items just to be safe. And we needed to get more Vietnamese money. So one last foray into the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Then a bus to the airport. On the way, we got another thinly veiled attempt to ask for tips by the Vietnamese guide. We didn’t love him to begin with but that cost him any hope. He got a nice drawing by Marion instead which he fawned over gratuitously in an attempt at guilt. Nice try, but no dice. Bros on the other hand we gave a nice tip to. He was great.
Ho Chi Minh City airport is fairly small considering how big of a city it is. We found a few more items to buy in the shops before boarding. Then a 2-hour flight to Hanoi. We’re traveling with 3 older ladies so we felt a bit responsible for them but we made an effort to not ‘take care of them’ and have our own trip.
We got our bags and exited to the terminal and… no one is there to meet us. Well that’s disappointing. We wait a bit. Nothing. We try to call the number in our final itinerary. It doesn’t go through. About the time we’re thinking of getting a taxi he comes running up. Apparently they changed exit lounges on him (there are 2) and it took him a bit before he figured it out. It also turns out he’s not the guy they said it would be but he seemed legit so we went with him. His name is Khan. (In your best William Shatner impersonator voice, shout Khan!! and shake your fist).
As we try to explain that we were expecting someone else, and he continues to explain how they changed exit lounges on him, we come to the realization that his English comprehension isn’t particularly good. But he’s friendly and enthusiastic.
It’s an interesting drive into town. It’s a new road (built in the last 2 years). It cuts the time into town in half, which is nice. It also cuts the farmer’s fields in half and doesn’t provide a way across. So that sucks for them. But you don’t argue with the government. There was also a new bridge over the Red River (built by the Japanese) into town. It’s cool looking.
Hanoi is very vibrant. The houses are nicer and cooler looking than Ho Chi Minh City. People seem more aggressive. There are LOTS of shops along every street. And constant motion (cars, scooters, bikes, people) everywhere. It all just sort of merges together with no traffic control. But it seems to work.
We stopped to drop off stuff at the hotel. It’s a nice place but no Grand Hotel Saigon. They’ve got it decorated for Halloween, which was not a celebrated holiday in Vietnam in the past but has been glommed onto the culture thanks to foreigners like ourselves and the fact the children like it (free candy, what’s not to like).
Then back on the bus to go to the lake for an electric car ride around the city. These are 8-passenger open-sided golf cart sort of things that drive around town and show you the major sites. A good first look. We got a feel for the traffic mayhem and the plethora of shops. We passed by a big lake (apparently Hanoi is known for its lakes) with a “temple” of sorts in the middle that is for the lake turtles. The turtles are an icon of the culture.
After our ride we went to a water puppet show. I’d never seen or heard of the concept. It’s puppets on long poles attached to their ‘feet’ with strings to control them. The water is there to hide the poles and strings and it’s done in front of a backdrop to hide the puppeteers. It works pretty well. It’s performed to Vietnamese music (which is a bit like cats howling but ok). The themes were Vietnamese culture/history/legends so it would help to be Vietnamese I’m sure (sort of like a Vietnamese trying to understand say Ichabod Crane). It was pretty interesting but it was good it didn’t last much longer than it did.
We dropped Marion off at the hotel and went to dinner. It was a nice place, designed for foreigners. Vietnamese food (surprise surprise). There was a small band playing gypsy/eastern European style music on violin and guitar which was very nice. And seasonal fruit! What season is it? Watermelon, pineapple, dragon fruit and bananas (as it has been the whole time we’ve been here). Ok and the occasional mango.
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