Hanoi: Dinner with Anthony Bourdain and President Obama - sort of

Checked into flight to come home today.  If all goes well, I should be back in my apartment by 11:30 tonight (29^th).  Cross your fingers.

It’s been an amazing 3 months of travel (1 month in the states, then 2 in Asia).  I’m so glad I kept a travel blog so I can reflect on my experiences in more depth.  It seems like a long time, yet not.  It’s hard to explain, but towards the end really felt pretty at ease with it all.  I met so many wonderful people along the way and was fortunate to have good friends like Paul and Terri with me for part of the trip.  Looking forward to reminiscing about the trip with them.

A couple more experiences to share.  If you sit long enough in the park by the lake, locals will come up to you and ask to practice their English.  I think this is so cool.  Lein was a real joy to talk to.  For my last night dinner in Hanoi I chose a restaurant where Anthony Bourdain and President Obama met to eat good local food.   The Bun Cha from Bun Cha Huong Lien was excellent.  Even the locals where there to take pictures of President Obama’s photo on the wall.

Hanoi: Adrenalin Rush

Want an adrenalin rush?  Sit on a balcony and watch and feel a train scream by within two feet of your café and local people’s living rooms. It’s the norm here but has become a tourist attraction because it is so ridiculously dangerous.  They now restrict tourists from sitting on the side of the tracks, but I still saw several tourists down below within a couple feet of the train.  What a rush!

I can’t believe I head back home tomorrow.  Has it really been 3 months?  What will it feel like to be home?  I’m still enjoying myself and feeling quite comfortable living out of a suitcase, but at the same time I am ready for everything clean: bathroom, water and feet. Also, better get home before the corona virus gets worse. 

Came upon the changing of the guard for Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and then visited Tran Quoc Pagoda.  Went to a Bamboo Circus show at the beautiful Opera House.

I love having extra time here in Hanoi so I can take my time and just stroll the busy streets and take in the action on the streets.

Dog and owner waiting for the train.  Just after the train passed the dog went right back on the tracks.

Lunch - not for me.

Across the street from my hotel.  By morning, serving breakfast noodle soup, by noon it turns back into a souvenir shop.

The lake Senator John McCain's plane crashed during the Vietnam War

I love the way the birds are put outside during the day.  Its adds a nice charm to the streets to hear birds singing.

Hanoi: Corona fears and the Naples of Asia

Back in Hanoi since the 24^th until the 29^th (I hope).  So lets talk Corona Virus.  It’s getting a bit scary here.  The kids are out of school for a month; a restaurant had a sign that said “Chinese customers not allowed”; and the next door Hanoi Cathedral closed.  Perhaps 50 percent of the people are wearing masks, but that doesn’t stop people from scolding you if you are not wearing your mask.  There is hand sanitizer everywhere which I appreciate, even though I keep a little bottle on me at all times.  The Government actually told businesses to not allow Chinese people into their establishments.  Wow!  Tourism is down 40% which is good for me as hotel prices are at 50% of the normal cost and landmarks are not crowded with tourists.  I’m a little concerned about my flight back on the 29^th as the first flight takes me to a layover in South Korea. We shall see.

Hanoi is such a great city.  Perhaps you could call it the Naples of Asia.  Its chaotic, vibrant, people living large, traffic is wild, lots of temples instead of churches; and people very friendly. Oh and….. the food is excellent here.  I could stay here three months just to make my way through the street food stands and restaurants.  So far my favorite foods are banh mi, banh xeo, and banh cuon. I know, that’s a lot of banhs.  Tried the famous egg coffee which was delicious, served in a cup of warm water.

Visited the Hoa No (Hanoi Hilton) where Senator John McCain was held captive during the Vietnam War.  Getting a broader perspective seeing the impact and damage from that war here in Asia.  Horrible to say the least.

Visited the Temple of Literature. Confucius teachings and school of thought and attended a local Bamboo Circus Show at the Opera House.  Excellent show and beautiful venue.

Enjoy photos of Hanoi city life and its wonderful people and food.

These children ran up to me in the park and wanted to practice their English.  So cute.

Egg Coffee 

Praying at a temple

attending a wedding

A normal site on the streets of Vietnam.  The stools are very low by the way

Triplets.  They were just the cutest.

A normal site in Vietnam

Banh Xeo

Dim Sum

From the Hoa Lo Museum.  Shows the capture of  Senator McCain from the nearby lake. 

Videos from local temples

Ha Long Bay: Dragon Dropping Pearls

To protect Ha Long Bay a dragon dropped 2000 pearls into the bay which grew into beautiful rock formations.  Ha Long Bay - ok, I know I say this a lot, but this place is gorgeous!   I'm on a luxury cruise for two nights, three days.  This is my first cruise and so far I'm very impressed.  It's a small ship with only 32 cabins, which is a nice size.  I have met some wonderful people on the cruise to include two gentlemen who live in the same city I lived in Hawaii - Kailua.  Small world.  It's been fun catching up on all the Hawaii news. The other guests are with a tour group from Australia and Canada.  Last night I crashed their wine tasing event by accident.  They announced wine tasing and appetizers, which I naturally took advantage of.  I drank wine, mingled and ate plenty of food, then later found out it was a private event for the tour group.  So funny.  They didn't mind apparently.

Fortunately we have sunshine which is not always common this time of year  Eating well and keeping busy with kayaking, visiting floating villages, cooking classes and taking tai chi in the morning.  Enjoying the luxury after being in some rough accommodations in Ninh Binh.  I even got to pick out the scent of essential oils I would have in my room.  Life is good.

I am fast approaching my return date of 29 February and winding down.  I may just stay in Hanoi for the last four days as there is plenty to see there.  I don't have the energy to transport to another town and get all dirty again.  LOL.

Van (Cindy) of the crew.  She started us off with Tai Chi each morning.

Tea time in a local village.

our cooking class.  Spring rolls

Children in a nearby fishing village.  They live on this boat.

Sunrise

Fishing Boat

A boy and his dog.  They live on a floating structure and boat.

See the couple swimming?