Vietnam and Siem Reap

[Major]

Looking forward to the rest of your TR. I have been to Saigon/Vung Tau but not to the North.

 

[amaroo]

I also picked up some antibiotics (Augmentin) on the cheap. 115,000 dong (7.50AUD) 125mg, to manage a sinus and chest infection that I imported. No script required of course. I was quoted 650,000 (41AUD) at another pharmac_ for an insignificant dosage of 1mg. For any GP’s reading this I have access to MIMS and I’ve had this condition many times before.

I know a Chiro that can fix that for you

At less than 5 minutes walk to our hotel it was literally game on. Tiger draught beer was 1AUD on tap. That game hey, someone had to win…

What a thriller - would have been a fun environment to watch the game.

Enjoy Hanoi - excellent architecture, food, people.

 

[puppysparkes]

Uber works well in Hanoi, as does the buses using Google Maps (and they are very cheap)...

Assume you did Halong Bay last time?

For breakfast in Hanoi I recommend some good pho here
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g293924-d1124697-Reviews-Pho_Thin-Hanoi.html
A few blocks South of Opera Theatre.

For western food (if u need a break) or even a cool outdoor bar experience, Moose & Roo is interesting

But the street food in Hanoi is awesome

Yes we did a two night cruise in Halong Bay previously. To avoid the mandatory market visit imposed when on a bus, a private car transfer is recommended.

Totally agree on Hanoi street food. We decided that a Vespa food tour would be better in Hanoi over Siagon. I'm looking forward to having the beer and egg drink again.

 

[puppysparkes]

Yesterday we checked out of the Pullman Saigon a little later than expected; it is an excellent hotel with obliging staff. Jetstar advised us by email about an engineering requirement which meant our flight to Hanoi was rescheduled to depart at 4:00pm. We booked an Uber using a discount code to travel to the airport and at $6AUD it could not have been any cheaper. I paid for two front row seats for the extra leg room on a short flight of around 1 hour and 45min; unfortunately the seating did not stick and we were split to 1D and 12A. Row 1 had larger business style seating. Ms Sparkes prefers we sit together so row 12 it was. At thirty minutes prior to boarding nearly all the passengers were at the gate waiting for it to open. The late passengers walked to the front of the the long line and nobody batted an eye; arriving early or pushing in did not help at all. Regardless of boarding on time BL 800 eventually left 45min late and all the while I kept looking at row 1 while we sat on the tarmac. A smokey haze had set in over Saigon and I was hoping it didn’t extend to Hanoi. I was pleased to see lights on the ground as we tracked towards Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport. It was 28 degrees and the choice of my newly acquired sports top and shorts was a winner. On out last visit to Hanoi there was plenty of road works underway and it took some time to get to the hotel. It was a much faster trip to the hotel as construction was well and truly completed.


Once again we were upgraded to an executive room at check in. The Pullman hotel is roughy 3.3km walk from the old quarter and around 5min walk to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Last night we were told the Mausoleum was closed and Ho Chi Minh’s body was in Russia for maintenance; apparently October is not the time to view the body and it seems we have lucked out again. Today is another self guided walking tour and we are hoping to locate our favourite coffee shop again. I might try and find a local sim card and upload some photo’s as we view the sights. Hanoi is an amazing place for photographers of all skill levels.

 

[puppysparkes]

The complimentary fruit platter and chocolates did not last long

 

[puppysparkes]

A few photos from the walk today. After walking all day in the heat my hamstring tells me I need some salt.


A local in his workshop.

We’ve noticed that many locals prefer to ride on the luggage rack.

We we’re lucky enough to see the changing of the guard at the mausoleum.

It is an impressive space. This view is facing towards embassy precinct on Ong It Khiem.

Ho Chi Minh palace is in the opposite direction.

A statue of Vladimir Lennin in a park directly across from the military museum. We have been there before on our last trip. It is well worth the visit if you are planning a trip. More details here: http://www.btlsqsvn.org.vn/ Use google chrome and the page will translate for you.

 

[puppysparkes]

We found our favourite cafe again!

The staff must be fit to wait on tables on all four levels.

Previously it wasn’t air conditioned.

That has changed and there are several fans which provide welcome relief after walking.

 

[puppysparkes]

Yesterday we were casually looking for a water buffalo souvenir which we previously saw in the water puppet show. The water puppet show has been around since the eleventh century. While its origins are in the north of Vietnam I've seen it spread to Siagon. The puppet masters perform the show in waist deep water in order to create the illusion of puppets moving across the water. An orchestra plays music to accompany the show. The music itself is mesmerising after a long day.

Today we walked in to the old quarter again. We took a longer route and headed for the Sofitel Metropole. I needed to taunt myself about not booking our stay this property. This part of Hanoi is home to all the high end retailers for the wealthy. A short stroll away and we found ourselves in a side street with the smell of BBQ everywhere. In addition to the constant noise of motorbikes was chickens crowing.

We found a replica water puppet however apparently we need more.

Meet Chuckie the water puppet.
View attachment 57517

Tomorrow we head off on a private day tour to Hoa Lu the ancient capital and Trang An Grottoes, Ninh Binh province. The Trang An Grottoes referred to as the inland Halong Bay.

Tonight the hotel has Johnny Walker blue at 50% off. A night cap is in order.

 

[puppysparkes]

Well folks despite the cheap Macallan’s and JWB on offer last night I made it to bed on time.

Our guide and driver arrived on time and we are currently on our way to Hoa Lu. We should arrive in around two hours. It is a little hazy but hopefully we can get some good photo opportunities.

 

[puppysparkes]

The trip along the expressway was always going to be exciting. Generally there are no road rules when driving. The express way is no different except the 100km speed limit. Our driver was pulled over by the police and after a brief discussion we were on our way again. Our first stop was the central sector of the imperial citadel of Thang Long which is a UNESCO listed site. Further reading here for anyone interested: Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi - UNESCO World Heritage Centre


It was a long day that included a buffet lunch at our next destination Tam Coc. Our guide mentioned goat was the preferred meat in Ninh Binh province and this was reflected in the buffet. Grilled goat, goat soup, braised goat. There was also rice, braised beef, noodles, and caramel pork. Ms Sparkes is vegetarian and had the fish (most likely basa), tofu, salad and tropical fruit.


After lunch we headed off on a tour to see the local grottoes. Our tour took around an hour and a half which was perfect. There is a longer tour of three to four hours and I would recommend taking a yoga mat or a foam product to sit on. Our guide explained that local farmers supplement their income by rowing tourists through the grottoes. We were told we may be asked for a tip at the end and that 40,000 to 50,000 dong (3AUD) is the going rate.


A few photos from today.

 

[puppysparkes]

We climbed to the top of the mountain next to the citadel to view the kings tomb. A sign at the start stated that the climb was 80 meters. It was more like 120 meters. Do not attempt this climb if you have knee problems, a heart condition, are not moderately fit or if you drank whiskey the night before.

This 65 year old lady positioned herself at around half way at 150 steps. She sold fans, cold drinks and incense to burn at the king’s tomb. She carried her product up the hill to her spot every day. She has a small hammock to snooze in when business was slow. She guided us to the top and showed us some other viewing points.

 

[puppysparkes]

Grotto tour photos.

The departure terminal.

 

[puppysparkes]

 

[RB]

A great read and photos. You are bringing back fond memories of Vietnam. Think I preferred the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh when we were there.

 

[puppysparkes]

Crispy rice was also on the menu yesterday.

 

[puppysparkes]

It is added to soup; goat soup in this instance. Taste wise I noticed coriander and onion and not so much goat. I was surprised by it and had a second helping. It was slightly gelatinous in consistency.

 

[puppysparkes]

Today was overcast and accompanied by sporadic rain so we decided to catch an Uber down to Hoa Lo Prison located at 1 Hoa Lo Street, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District.


The prison is open between 8:00am and 5:00pm every day and costs 3AUD per person for entry. Some parts are air conditioned and there are toilets and gift shops as always. I found it repetitious but still worth a look. You can purchase a guide book which makes for interesting reading as is some of the lighting and background music. The displays tell the story of political prisoners sent there by the french colonialists. The prison was also host to captured american pilots between 1964 - 1973.

 

[puppysparkes]

We wandered into the old quarter again to find an older style water puppet from the water puppet theatre. When we had enough of the heckling and tourist junk we decided to treat ourselves to Hanoi’s famous egg drink. Giang Cafe Hanoi ,Cafe Giang Hanoi ,Egg Coffe Hanoi


According to their website Giang Café was founded by Mr. Nguyen Giang in 1946, when he was working as a bartender for the famous five-star Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel. The ingredients include ‘egg yolk, Vietnamese coffee powder, sweetened condensed milk, butter and cheese. The coffee is brewed in a small cup with a filter before the addition of a well-whisked mixture of the yolk and other ingredients. The cup is placed in a bowl of hot water to keep its temperature.’


The street sign has changed so keep an eye out for the new version pictured below. You can order hot or cold versions flavoured with rum, coffee or beer. We ordered one of each (for science). Regardless of your preferred additive the taste is very sweet.

Hailing the Uber back to the hotel took longer than expected. To overcome the language barrier I sent a MMS to the driver to assist him to find us; problem solved.

 

[puppysparkes]

Folks unfortunately it rained on our last night in Hanoi and these are the only shots worthy of posting. Some were taken around the lake near the old quarter. You could easily take in more sights if you are on a tour however we prefer to wander the streets which mean we got lost and walked through the same places a couple of times. Unfortunately we missed the B52 museum and B52 lake which is home to a B52 bomber shot down during the war. We also missed out on a meal at the Moose and Roo, there is always next time.


Ballon guy decided to set up right in the middle of the street until the police moved him along.

 

[love_the_life]

That coffee sounds like it would rot your teeth! It's the condensed milk I find just over the top. Great night pics in spite of the rain.
Thanks - enjoying immensely