Hanoi - Thursday

We didn't wake up until 9 am. We must have been tired. We had originally booked another tour for today, cancelled it last night, really that we didn't fancy another 6 or 7 hours on a bus. But it was raining again it this morning, but not much.

But we have a secret weapon now. A pakamack and after a hearty breakfast, set off across town. Hey we've got crossing the road sussed. You basically just walk slowly across letting everything around you. Don't stop, it confuses them. We may have it sussed but it still scary as hell.

We decided this morning to walk through the French Quarter, but this time carrying on than last time.  And we found a another lake which we walked half way round and then found the Lenin Park. It cost us 15p each to get in and was worth it.  I bet in summer its a lively place to be. It's got a little train running around it, a few small cafes, a kids funfair and lots of gardens. All was closed today, but a peaceful place to be in the city. And another huge lake.

At 1pm the rain just stopped...yeh! Off came the plastic Mac.

This is our last full day in the city so we wanted to have a good walk around a new area. Walking back we passed the Opera House and financial district and then St. Joseph's Cathedral, and then into a call cave for lunch. Lovely beef stirfy. There were groups of mean sitting around drinking shots out of a bottle covered in newspaper!it isound out it was home made vodka. They certainly put it away, two bottles between four of them.

This was a building site, fancy doing this sort of work under these circumstances.

At 2pm the sun could be seen trying to burn through the clouds yehhh! And off came the padded coat.

Tired and foot sore, a couple of hours later we hobbled into the hotel to rest, pack, shower and have a night in the night market area.

I am getting to like the city more and more as we spend time here. Not that I want to spend too much time here, it gets very tiring, but it has grown on me.  What I love is the contrast I?n e setting, people, building, commerce.

Tomorrow we are off on our last adventure in Northern Thailand.  We are spending two nights at Halong Bay.  I have set my expectations are rock bottom with regard to the weather.  I am expecting rain, cold and fog.  If it is any improvement on that, I will be very happy.  I am sure the boat will be lovely, the people interesting and trip fascinating, aren't we lucky!