Last day in Hanoi

February 19
Spent a quiet morning on my "upgraded" deck. Here is the view from the deck.

I walked and walked and walked today. Found a walking tour of the Old Quarter in my Lonely Planet book so I decided to do it today. It was supposed to be a 3.5 km (minimum two hours) walk. I got so turned around in many spots had to back track so many times that I actually think I walked more than that. There's so much going on.... trying not to get hit by the cars, motorbikes, and cyclists, reading the map, it's difficult to concentrate! The walk took me to temples, monuments, and the Dong Xuan Market (went there yesterday). I walked passed so many stores selling everything from toys, herbs, food, mirrors, silks, clothing, hardware, and tin boxes (made right on site).

Hanoi’s Old East Gate is the only survivor of 16 medieval city gates that provided access to the historic walled city, we now refer to as Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The gate remains a hive of activity, with pedestrians and motorcycles navigating through the Old Quarter.

The walk ended at St. Joseph Cathedral. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Hanoi.

Tea stop... Thank goodness I'm a small person, those chairs are soooo small!

Lunch was a bahn mai again.... Found Bahn Mi 25 on Tripadvisor. I walked there to find a long lineup.

Hanoi hosts Night Markets on Friday and Saturday nights. It was crowded, families, friends, and tourists. The roads are closed to traffic... People everywhere shopping and eating.

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Tomorrow I head out to Halong Bay for a one night cruise. I will post when I get back on Sunday.