Arrival in Hanoi

I made it to Hanoi in the morning. The plane from Moscow was on time although the night was a bit stress. It seems that Russian people tend to start to like Vietnam as well – fair enough – however unfair is if in a row of two a monstrous Russian Babushka has chosen to select the seat beside of me. The flesh was creping under the chair rest to my sides and her shoulders were far on my side. The plane was full – so no chance – but at least I could not move for the next 9 hours – great. By the way – she needed assistance to get out of this chair again – I want never ever in my live be that fat.

The breakfast in the Aeroflot was curious by the fact, that there was a lucky cookie included – cool stuff and a sign of trust for the plane – smile – however the content was funny – I could not understand the Russian side but the English side was clear enough – Carefully on the road – was the wording – I tested this by riding motorcycles 3 times today in Hanoi – though this was certainly careless – smile.

Hanoi is a charming city – easygoing with a big lake in the middle were a turtle lives supposed to be 1 million years old – did not see her, so I could not make my own picture of her age.

For a start and to cover the jetlag I tried to do some sightseeing starting, whit Ho Chin Min Mausoleum – a quite surreal place – he is like Stalin by the way a mummy – good old communist stile.

His residence was on the next turn und the Ho Chi Min Museum – great Russian Socialism wonderful

A short stop at the one pillar pagoda and the I took another motorcycle to the Temple of literature – this time there was the graduation ceremony of the students of the university ongoing. Side comment for the male followers – these ladies were beautiful – but see on your own……Since I have already my degrees there is no justification to start to study here ……

I as an European Alien I was forced to be photographed with them…

In the evening I took a walk to the turtle lake but did not see her either.

Tomorrow I will depart for Halong Bay 3 day 2 nights tour  - first night on the boat – no internet – second night in Cat Ba Island and Wednesday evening I should be back in Hanoi for another report.

Take care and keep on following

Markus