25 September in Hanoi

The train got in at 5am and we negotiated with a taxi driver to get back to the Bro & Sis Hotel. Once there we sat on the step eating grapes surrounded by a strong whiff of drains. The lobby of the hotel was filled with scooters and there were two staff members sleeping on the floor.

We had to wait until 10am to check in at the new hotel, the Hong Ngoc Hotel in the Old Quarter, so we walked to the lake and booked tickets for the Water Puppet show. We spent some time around the lake where lots of people exercise, and walk dogs and just sit and eat ice-creams. But today there were newly weds everywhere having photos taken. There were also children having a drawing class probably to keep them out of their parents' hair.


In the evening we met our Gecko tour group and leader, Cuong, and then we went out for a meal together. We were asked how adventurous we were in terms of food: snake and rat being mentioned. He then explained that during 1975 and 1985, they were starving in Vietnam so had to work out what they could eat which is when rats turned up on menus.

The strangest thing seen so far on a scooter was at least 6 pig carcasses thrown across the saddle with the legs sticking out on either side.

I also love seeing the girls sitting side-saddle on scooters and also wearing high stilettos while driving – sometimes putting both feet down stilettos and all, as they prepare to stop.