Hanoi

08/10/11
After an overnight stay in Halong Bay, were that night we visited a karaoke bar where you get your own private booth to sing songs just with your mates, we had an early start as we made our way back to the capital Hanoi to spend two nights there. On arriving we went on a quick tour through the Old Quarters where each street used to sell the same products as its name (e.g. Paper Street, Metal Street) before a group of us headed off to watch the rugby before the rain set in as it was England vs. France. England of course lost and with the rain still falling we decided tonight would be a good chance for us to have a farewell party as half of our group would be leaving the day after tomorrow. After a group meal and a few drinks at a local bar involving downing B-52 shots (when in Nam!), we headed off to a nearby club. The night was going well until the police raided the club and confiscated the sound system! This happens all the time as clubs aren’t meant to be open in the early hours, but after a raid and some money has passed hands most open up again. We on the other hand took this as a sign to end our night and so made our way back to the hotel.

09/10/11
What a difference a day makes, today I woke up to find it sunny and warm outside, a prefect day to go sightseeing on my last full day in Vietnam. We started off by visiting Hoa Lo prison where American airmen were detained during the Vietnam War; to them it was ironically known as the Hanoi Hilton. Most of it has been destroyed but a part still remains although if you believe the propaganda pictures you would think the airmen who were held there wanted to stay! Afterwards we walked past St Joseph Cathedral (legacy to French rule) before we split up as some were going to watch the water puppets. Joined by the two Colombians on the tour I set off with them for what would be a long walking tour of the city. We first visited Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum which unfortunately was closed before seeing the One Pillar Pagoda. Next we went in hunt of a relic of the war which we successfully found, part of a shot down B-52 which has been left were it fell, in the middle of a pond in a residential estate. We completed our tour by walking past the gardens and flag tower here, before lastly visiting the lake at the centre of the city. On walking round we saw lots of couples having their wedding photos done, here these are done before the big day so the pictures can be displayed at their receptions.