Touristy Things

For the last two days we have been hoofing it around Hanoi, visiting all the required tourist sites. We visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, after saying all morning that we wouldn't take that one in. There were other sites we wanted to see within the complex, but to get to them we had to go through the whole line up thing and by then it was too late.

The man is a national hero and symbol so the whole procedure was very solemn and quiet. No stopping, no talking, no cameras and no inappropriate clothing.


We had wanted to see the One Pillar Pagoda and even that place was busy. Very nice, but crowded. The water plants surrounding the pagoda were beautiful.





We were having a break at a street side coffee shop when we realized we were right beside the Army Museum. It was the first time either of us has been that close to the big US war machines. That display, plus the display on the destruction of Agent Orange, was rather sobering and harsh.





On the way home we wandered through some streets that sell t shirts and caps and as I am a sucker for that sort of thing, I now have a supply of three too small T shirts!

It was so darn hot that we just had to stop for the Tiger! Tiger beer that is!

Once we cooled down we had enough energy to walk to the Opera House, which was closed for the day so we had to be content to just look around.


On the way to the Opera House we came upon a large group of people protesting China's involvement in off-shore oil rights. We think! Peaceful demonstration.


We are catching the over night train to Sapa, a small town in the mountains north of Hanoi. The train leaves at 8:30 so we kept our hotel room for an extra half day. We knew we would need to cool down before the train and that is exactly what we are doing right now - that and packing. It's going to be a long night!


The guy repairing the street lines was amazing. He just walked on the lines to the other side and went about his business.