An Epic Avalonian Adventure: Hanoi

We did a lot in Hanoi and it was one of my favorite 'bigger' cities on the trip. I've come to the conclusion that I enjoy what I call 'walking' cities. This is a city where public transportation or transportation of any sort for that matter is not really necessary. Although it makes for a long day, and while you do get some great exercise, Hanoi barely makes it as a walking city in my book. We were able to do and see a lot of things the few days we spent here and used it as our hub to book our Halong Bay Trip. Anyway, here are a few of the photos.

(Walking snacks, treats, and goodies)

(Getting ready to pay after breakfast)

(Cafe 27 - I think Katrina took this photo for the old man underneath the sign)

(One of the many alley ways. I'm sure if you took the time to get to know the city you could find some wonderful things in the nooks...)

(Cooking up a feast or at least something to eat - I believe a lady yelled at me for taking this picture, although I don't quite know why)

(Lake/Pond at the center of town. To the right is an island with a Chinese Temple on it...)

(Here is Katrina on the bridge)

(Entrance to the temple)

(A little artwork)

(Inside the temple)

(Another shot)

(A cool little statue I liked)

(This was just as we were walking around the pond)

(This was the Prisoner of War Camp where John McCain was held. It is amusing, perhaps not the best word, that this has now become a tourist attraction.)

(One of the gates which kept the prisoners in at the 'Hanoi Hilton')

(Uniform worn by the pilots and POW while they were in the camp)

(Not the best shot, but there were shards of glass in the concrete outside to prevent prisoners from escaping)

(The French influence; however, I think it was only used a handful of times in the history of Vietnam)

(Shackles used to keep the prisoners at bay)

(Entrance to one of the cells)

(Supposedly John McCain's flight suit. From what I understand he actually made a visit to this camp at some point in the past. The videos they play are rather interesting, especially as an American.)

(These are cards pilots and military personnel would carry with them during the war. If they were caught, they would hand this to their captors. I forget exactly what it says but something along the lines of 'I am an United States Citizen...)

(While we weren't hungry, this woman was trying to make a sale so she let Katrina hold her fruit)

(And the wear the hat, but we didn't buy anything...)

(Water puppets)

(A different kind of puppet)

(More puppets)

(The 'stage' - for being the premier water puppet show in Vietnam I was rather disappointed. It was definitely worth a visit and something to do, though.)

(This woman told the story and her entourage played the music during the show)

(Here come the people who controlled the puppets at the end of the show)

(A few more of the 'controllers')

(View from our balcony, nothing special)

(Headed to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum)

(Unfortunately, due to the time of year we arrived, Ho Chi Minh was not in his mausoleum. Instead, he was taking his yearly tour to Russia. So, we missed him.)

(Jump shot in front of the mausoleum)

(Due to our timing, we also missed out on the museum. It has some strange hours on Monday and Friday, I believe, so be sure to check before you go.)

(This was a park dedicated to education and scholars)

(A view towards the front gate)

(These stone tablets hold the names of the individuals who graduated from way back in the day)

(Apparently, students, parents, family, and friends still come here to pray for good luck on tests and university entrance exams.)

(The golden turtle)

(Study time)

(Another gate)

(So, if you are in Hanoi, it is a must to try Bia Hoi also known as Beer Hoi. A beer costs about 25 cents and the atmosphere is a good time. We met two older couples from Australia as we were enjoying our drinks.)