Day 96 - 99 Hanoi

Hanoi is like being on a furious motorbike at high speed, chaotic and colourful, street life carrying on frantically. The footpath isn’t for walking, it’s for motorbikes, its for trading, its for food stands, its for locals to sit on tiny chairs eating Bun Cha while sipping iced coffee. However amongst the fury of the cities roaring engine, the old quarter and lake area awaits. History, narrow streets, great restaurants, little boutique shops, and large trees blocking the burning sun all join the local footpath mall to create an authentic yet pleasant experience of Hanoi. Mike and I stayed in a great hotel called Golden Ledged right in the heart of the old quarter. We spent nights watching the most intense lightening storms we have ever seen while rolling grilled pork spring rolls and eating banana flower salad. During the day we weaved our way through the maze (taking small steps and almost closing my eyes everytime I crossed the road), perspired a couple of rivers and visited many of the museums including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Being our last stop we also decided to invest in some R&R and experience the perfectionism of Hanoi’s day spas for a next to nothing price. Hanoi will definitely be a stop in the near future.