HANOI

It was a very long journey (four hours each way) but we decided to make the trip to Hanoi.  We set off at 7:30 a.m. from Ha Long Bay and although the distance is only 120 km., the driving conditions are poor and at times quite dangerous.  Fortunately, we were blessed with a good driver and a knowledgeable guide.  We had also pre-determined who our travelling companions would be in the six passenger van and the ship had packed a large cooler filled with champagne and beer for in- transit refreshments. Along with Peter and Pru and Tony and Patti, we enjoyed the scenery, if not the near-death experiences provided by vehicles, including busses, that were overtaking others on extremely narrow roads. 

 

We finally reached a two lane highway about an hour out of the city centre and then, all too soon, we were treated to the madness of traffic in a city where the means of transporation ranges from bicycles, motor bikes, tuk tuks, cars, and vans to local and luxury tourist busses. 

 

Hanoi is not nearly as modern and prosperous looking as Saigon in the south but it does have some charming architecture influenced of course by the French.  The large yellow building is the Presidential Palace but our guide was quick to inform us that Ho Chi Minh refused to live there.  Instead, he took up residence in the smaller building next to the pond and then finally the "people" built him a house on stilts on the palace grounds.  This came complete with a bomb shelter!  There are over 1000 villas in the beautiful French Quarter of the city and of course it is now only government officials who live in them. 

 

Russia played a huge role in Ho Chi Minh's battles with the French and later the Americans and if you look at the photo of his office, you will see portraits of Marx and Lennin.  And according to our guide, the car was a Russian version of a Rolls Royce! 

 

I had a problem with my camera and unfortunately lost the photo of the memorial erected where John McCain was captured when his plane was shot down. Our guide informed us that he was badly injured parachuting from the plane and they "saved his life".  His former accommodation, at the Hanoi Hilton, is not open for visitors! Just like China, there is a set pattern to what they say about their wonderful leaders.  In Ho Chi Minh's case, it is that he devoted his entire life to his country and never married because he considered all the Vietnamese people his children. They obviously spent a bundle on his mausoleum which is also on the palace grounds.   

 

After a delicious lunch in a charming restaurant, we spent about half an hour walking around the old and somewhat decaying part of the city where the ordinary Vietnamese people live.  The power lines look like spaghetti (another lost photo) and you have to wonder how reliable that must be. We also visited a very old and charming Temple built by one of the last Emperors.  Since 80% of the people are now communist and don't practice any religion, it is mostly a tourist destination. 

 

After an equally crazy ride back to Ha Long Bay, we reached the ship's tender about twenty minutes late. They had waited for us and as soon as we were on board, we sailed immediately.  The fog was settling in again and our Captain was understandably anxious to get away. 

 

We were exhausted and after a drink at the pool bar, we all decided a shower and dinner in our cabins was called for.  It was an interesting day and we felt it was worth the trip.

 

Hope everyone is well at home.  We are definitely back to hot and steamy weather in Thailand. This is merely an observation ... not a complaint!   Lots more to write about and I'll try and catch up soon.

 

D & K