20 Sept Sydney to Ha Noi

We had Maccas for breakfast this morning – there's a first time for everything. Won't hurry to do it again however. Once at the airport, check in was smooth and then we had hours to fill. I found myself gazing at the departure board at such exotic place names as Denpasar, Hangzhou Shenzhen, Kuala Lumpur, etc – dreaming of adventures and connections with people with different beliefs, skin colour, languages ….... We left after 2 pm instead of at 10 am and consequently landed in Saigon after 8 pm where we had a run around the houses. We had to pick up our luggage and go through customs and sort out the Visas which cost US$50 as we had a multiple entry visa. Then we lined up with some eager locals to board for Ha Noi but suddenly they all sat down so they had heard an announcement that the plane from Danang had been delayed. Ho hum! Finally, after a 1.5 hour flight we arrive in Ha Noi but of course our transfer pick up didn't show – it was 1 am after all. We asked an official looking person what to expect to pay for a taxi to the Bro and Sis Hotel since the taxi touts were all hanging in the door of the Arrivals lounge and bouncing back everytime they were moved on by “uniforms”.

It is approximately an 8 hour flight to Ha Noi. We got there to our room at about 1.30 which is 4.30 Sydney time so weary doesn't come close to how we felt. On the way from the airport, there was not much traffic but there were those on scooters who looked like they were going to a market. Then we saw a market: unbelievable, at that time in the morning, who would be buying?

Another conseequence of the QANTAS strike was that the usual fare was not loaded on the plane and the crew apologised frequently for the poor food. I'll not eat another panini for a very long time.

Stayed at: Bro and Sis Hotel, 53 Hung Bun, Ba Dinh district