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I've got to say, my initial perception of the traffic situation in Hanoi was perhaps slightly unwarranted. Yes its hectic, it's kind of dramatic at first glance but there is also a certain fluidity and assurance in their riding that allows traffic flow kind of effortlessly and in the end makes a certain amount of sense. In the same manner, just like a 'newbie' crossing the road, the first time you don't know how the hell you're going to make your first step out onto the combative streets but as the gonads grow and the time you spend standing in the middle of traffic grows less stressful, the way of the people finds an enclave of meaning in that Western brain of mine.
Moto action in Hanoi
No really, there's a train line outside of my front door - Hanoi - Vietnam
Taking on the wily veteran of the courts!
Raise a fist for the only point you'll win on this day Mr. Elisher!
Overall the two days we spent in Hanoi was about a week too short., and to think, our original itinerary had us beating a path out of here within 24 hours. First of all the people are charming, friendly and have the most engaging smiles you've seen. Architecturally there is a distinct French influence but there is an obvious intersection with a Chinese/SE Asian style which just makes it that much more appealing. The food is brilliant, the bargains that you get sometimes makes you feel like you're actually ripping them off and each turn down a small street is just another invitation to run into something new and exciting. I truly didn't think that I'd enjoy Hanoi, and now Vietnam as much as I have. If I did have a policy of visiting places twice then I'd be back here in a hurry, and you never know, I might just break that rule on careful reflection (...stuff the reflection, consider the rule broken)
Near our hotel - Hanoi - Vietnam
Hanoi style
After our two days in Hanoi we jumped a Vietnam Airlines flight to the up and coming resort town of Da Nang. On first impressions were that it wasn't a particularly dynamic place and not somewhere that you'd make a point of travelling to but hanging out on China Beach for $29USD with a great mate, having meals virtually at the water's edge for $35USD (1kg prawns, vegetables, rice and a bucket of beers), having a bike taxi available literally at any time of day or night for just $2USD and in that sense available to take you virtually anywhere you need to go means that this is an opportunity you just can't pass up, and of course we didn't.
Hoi An
Jase and I jumped on the back of a couple of Honda's this morning and made our way out of Da Nang to the small, quaint town of Hoi An. This place just has 'too cute' written all over it, from the picture perfect 'small village' Chinese type side streets, to the cafes/bars/restaurants on the river, to even the 'hard sells' put on you by vendors of every kind, it's a beautiful and intriguing place.
Japanese bridge - Hoi An - Vietnam
On the river - Hoi An - Vietnam
Hoi An streetscape
What Hoi An is known for however is for its tailor made clothing, i.e., shirts, trousers, suits etc. I managed to get myself four tailored shirts, two trousers and a suit for $187 USD. Not bad value considering how good the quality was, how great the fit was, and the fact that the turn around time on all those items was 'just' 5 hours!
Anyway that's all I've got for now, tomorrow afternoon we're flying down to Saigon to count in the New Year and then we'll be moving into Cambodia the day after that. I'd like to say that I can't wait but being in the moment is just too much fun.
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