Landing in Hanoi, we had problems locating my name on the sea of cards at the arrival area. Spotted it in the hands of a half-hearted tall, think young man who looked like he didn't want to be there.
The drive from the airport to Hanoi was done by another guy, who was consistently on the phone... actually... on 2 phones! But we made it ok to the Old Quarters where we met our Hanoi co-ordinator at his inn to re-confirm and pay for our Sapa tours (ex-Sapa) and Halong Bay overnight cruise on Phoenix Cruises.
It was uncomfortable when we were told that we had to change cars for the rest of the drive to Melia Hanoi. Switched from a private car to a cab. Still don't way we had to change cars... hhhmmm...
Anyway, Fata's room at Melia Hanoi is comfy. While he had to sort out some work for the conference organizers, Pea and I walked to Hoan Kiem Lake, passing Fanny Ice-Cream Parlour. Looking for pho, we left a cafe 'cos they hadn't any local food.
Strolling along the lake, we saw the red bridge and the little gazebo in the middle of the lake. Then we caught sight of Pho 24 cafe, there we had our very first Vietnamese beef pho :) we also bought some back for Fata. Good thing there was a guy at Pho 24 who spoke English, 'cos we couldn't get any of the helpful staff to understand that we wanted to take-away :P
When Fata was done with his work, we walked out towards the Old Quarters. Passed a pretty old church during Sunday mass. Pass the church was a yummy sandwich shop which had a straight-faced young lady running the counter. We had pate with 3 different types of ham in a crunchy/crispy french baguette for 35,000 dong. Yummy!
We walked to Dong Xuan market after reading online reviews that it was a good, cheap place to get stuff. We walked through the bustling market and walk right out, didn't get a thing! hahaha... we wanted to get lacquer Tin Tin pictures for a friend, but the prices quoted there were double the shops outside :(
Evening traffic was challenging, if the pedestrian crossing are not controlled, you just need to look straight and walk forward. All the traffic will navigate around you. It was harrowing the first few times, but I think we have gotten the hang of things now.
Based on Trip Advisor, we headed to Five restaurant at 5 Hang Be. Honestly, it was not what we were looking for. When in Vietnam, we wanted to eat Vietnamese! Oh well, we had a Vietnamese street food sampler, a few drinks and headed to the street. The 'Flu Buster' drink was good with the honey and ginger and lime...
Many of the local food stalls have low tables and even lower stools. Good thing Fata found one pho store with regular height tables and stools :) yummy! :)
Then we had glutinous rice balls stuffed with coconut & ginger, in a steaming ginger broth, dotted with chopped nuts. Yummy!
Heading back to the Old Quarters for a walk. It was Sunday so the streets were closed and lined with lots of stalls selling all sorts of things. We just walked and soaked up the atmosphere. Even found a food street in the middle of it all. And there was a hot plate street stall that took up an entire street corner. And it looked yummy, we tourists said that it was! :) Will try when we are in that area again.
The street market was long stretch, the fatigue of travel was getting to us, so at the end of it, we took a cab to Fanny Ice-Cream Parlour for 50,000 dong. Fata said that the ice-cream was like Haagen Daz, & Pea said that it was 'quite good'.
Back to the hotel, we're googling for Hanoi's best breakfast & lunch! hahaha... already thinking about the next meal :) Kumxia Pea & Fata for a fun first day in Hanoi :)
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