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Hanoi: Everywhere
bikes and motorbicycles, thousands of them but few cars only. Permanent
hoot.
The air in
the city is blue because of the two-stroke engines. But it is not hot,
there is not such a tropical humidity like in the South. In the night
it is cool and breezy. My first walk led me to the Hoan Kim Lake which
is situated in the middle of the city, very romantic. Then I strolled
through the ancient part and narrow lanes of Hanoi. On the way I bought
already all needed tickets, reservations and excursions for the next
two weeks.
Dinner in "Garden Restaurant",
vietnamese and french food, recommendable.
Later I went to an open air cafe exactly between Westlake and Truc
Bac Lake. The full moon was shining over the water, lots of young locals,
no tourist except me. At the bar there were big glasses with pickled
snakes and lizards, really challenging snacks! I managed to resist
them and better had a "Paradise" whatever it was, it had
a good taste and I had a good feeling.
Hanoi City
Tour: Of course first came the Army museum. The Vietnamese had lots
of different wars during the last 1000 years, mostly against China,
then France, finally USA and Cambodia.
After the
museum I saw the President's palace, would be great for some nights!
I skipped the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The Temple of literature was Vietnam's
firtst university almost a thousand years ago, really worth to be seen.
Other points I saw: Tay Ho Pagoda
at West Lake, Dong Xuan Market, a huge three-storey building containing
the market, no bad smell like normally at such a place. Finally Ngoc
Son Temple in the northern part of the Hoan Kim Lake.
Art: many galleries exhibit modern
Vietnamese painters, also quite interesting.
Evening program: There are some
bars int the Bao Kanh Street near Hoan Kim Lake where other travellers
and foreigners hang around. The elegant French Café directly
situated at the lake is very recommendable, has also a good restaurant
(needs reservation). |
