Hanoi

We arrived in Hanoi from Hue on the train. Our second experience was a lot better than the first, this time getting the bottom two bunks in a soft sleeper four berth. Much more comfortable.

We knew we would have a few days back and forth to Hanoi as it was to be our base from which we booked our trips to Ha long Bay and Sapa. With this in mind we spent the first few days relaxing, wondering around the old quarter, going to the cinema (where Mike got friendly with the cast of Monsters University) and discovering new eating experiences.

Life centres around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. On the edge of the old quarter the 'Lake of the returned sword' is a major scenic spot. Towards the north shore of the lake is Jade island on which stands the Temple of Jade Mountain, erected in the 18th century. The island is connected to the shoreline by a red-painted wooden bridge.

It is a lovely place to walk around day or night and if you get there early enough in the morning you will get to see the Vietnamese working out - doing T'ai Chi or jogging.

The old quarter itself is a sight to behold. With thirty six street each street is known for selling a different product. It is a hustle and bustle day or night but particularly on market days at the weekends.

It is also a place to experience culinary delights. Lined with street stalls and vendors foodies can easily indulge themselves here. Our two favourites was a street BBQ where you cook your own food and a street bar where beers are only 5000 VND (15 pence) and you can take your own food. The strategically placed 'kebab' lady over the street makes a quick buck out of this. To be fair her pork sandwiches are delicious and at less than one pound a sandwich you can't really complain.

Aside from eating we couldn't visit Hanoi without heading to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and complex. A large memorial where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh has been preserved since his death in 1969 is an eerie experience. Protected by military guard we lined up to see the body which is displayed in a glass case under dim lights. No photos are allowed inside the mausoleum so I can only explain by comparing it to looking at a very realistic waxwork figure - very weird.

The rest of the complex is worth exploring as well so we headed across to the presidential palace and residence of Ho Chi Minh to have a look at the place his lived and worked during his presidency.

As this was our last full day in Hanoi we spent the rest of the day wandering around the city before heading back to our hotel to get ready for our flight back to Bangkok.

After a mad dash last minute shopping for 24 hours in Bangkok it was time to board the flight home :(