Hanoi - Capital of Vietnam

February 17
I have had difficulties with Vietjet Air on all my domestic flights around Vietnam. So I spent the better part of the early, early morning on their hotline trying to get a seat on the flight to Hanoi. Success!

I spent the day relaxing. Went to the Cua Dai beach thinking I'd spend the morning on the beach... Ebook, towel, and a bottel of water in hand I boarded the free bus to the beach from my resort. I noticed the beach was deserted because it was still early in the morning. As I got closer, I noticed the whole beach was sandbagged. The beach is errording, big waves...

So... I walked around old town enjoying the sights and sounds. Decided to take a ride on a cycle rickshaw tour...

Spent the rest of the day at the pool. Dinner was at the Morning Glory, a restaurant that came highly recommended by the couple I met last night from the UK. It was delicious! Took a final walk around looking at all the pretty lanterns all lit up. You can buy a lantern to float in the river. This brings you luck.

February 18
At the airport for my 10:10 am flight to Hanoi. Check in was easy peasy after my phone call to Vietjet yesterday. Quick flight 1:15 hour in the air. Checked into the hotel and headed out to explore. Map in hand I headed out to Dong Xuan Market, the largest covered market of Hanoi where the wholesale traders sell everything from clothes, household goods to foodstuffs.

Is this a fruit or vegetable?

Wow! It's a busy, busy city. Got turned around many times, paid attention to landmarks, and even had to stop and ask directions (Bradley, I really tried!). Had lunch at a street vendor right outside the hotel (safer this way).

It's cooler here than Hoi An. I was walking around in my skirt and flip flops and the locals were laughing at me. They were all bundled up in winter jackets. So I went to get changed into warmer clothes... 2 tshirts, a sweater, long pants and flip flops (for those who know me know that I never wear closed toe shoes or socks even at home).

Headed out to explore Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is considered the center of Hanoi, not only physically but also symbolically. The water color of Hoan Kiem Lake is not commonly found in other lakes elsewhere in the country: greenish, with dark or light shade depending on the reflection of the sky. The lake is full of tortoise, which is not common among Vietnamese lakes. If you are lucky, you will catch sight of these giant animals rising out of water. And because tortoise is considered a sacred animal in Vietnam’s culture (along with dragon, phoenix and unicorn), Hoan Kiem Lake then become a holy place that nurtures tortoise.

If you can wake up early in the morning, at about 5 a.m., you will see people doing anything from yoga to tai-chi to aerobics.

Artists will do portraits of you

Got into my room for the night, sitting in bed writing my blog. I kept getting bit on the legs so I checked for bedbugs. Nothing! I went down to the front desk to tell them. They upgraded me to a suite!