Day 21: Tue 19 Nov - Hanoi

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21-28 deg C, a very mild day in Hanoi

Walk: 13km

"Breakfast at the hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for departure flight. TOUR ENDS." 

After breakfast, we went for a walk to and around Hoan Kiem Lake, stopped in at Maccas for mornos, then continued back to the hotel. We had a leisurely pack-up, checked-out and waited for our driver to pick us up and transfer us to our new hotel - Anatole Hotel. It was only 700m away, however, we figured that walking was bad enough, let alone having to drag a suitcase in and around scooters etc, on the the footpath. Also, the tour company had told Wendy that the Anatole was the hotel they use in Hanoi, so to avoid having to move hotels, Wendy booked rooms for everyone at Anatole. It wasn't until we had paid for the last three nights, that the company told us of their change, grrr. They did, however, arrange the transfer free of charge.

After check-in at our new salubrious rooms (we finally have a decent view), we hit the streets again for lunch, again at Maccas. We then walked, and walked, and walked some more. First up was the Hanoi Hilton, the nickname of the prison where the French imprisoned the Vietnamese, and then the Vietnamese imprisoned the US 'pilots' as a result of the Vietnam War. All very dark, dreary, and brutal; but, it was a prison.

The Hanoi Central Station was next as we thought it might have a classical French facade, but it was quite ordinary. Back to the hotel via the back block, the real Hanoi that was interesting. 

Back at the hotel, we rested a bit, sorted photos, did some washing, then Wendy joined a few on the pool and bar deck on level 10 for a few pre-dinner drinks. Neither of us felt like dinner, so we stayed in our room and blogged. Greg is not feeling too good this evening, but will hopefully pull through by morning.

LOTS OF PICTURES!

Hoan Kiem Lake pictures


The Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge
Bright red bridge, illuminated at night, leading to an iconic temple set on an islet in the lake.




Ngoc Son Temple
Confucian temple on a lake reached by bridge with tower & pavilions dedicated to the national hero.



Inside the locked area; there was just enough space to fit the iPhone lens through!






Sword Lake Turtle - a face only a mother could love!



The Pen Tower

A black squirrel


Turtle Tower on Hoan Kiem Lake, from different angles



Emperor Ly Thai To Monument Statue
Massive bronze statue of King Ly Thai To in a serene garden to honour liberation, culture & history. He was a founding emperor of Lý dynasty and the 6th ruler of Đại Việt; he reigned from 1009 to 1028.

Pretty

A shop selling buttons and other haberdashery items



An outdoor art gallery





Our last hotel for this trip - Anatole, a rather larny 4*






Room #403



Our views



From the outside

Happy Teacher's Day at a school near our hotel

The Supreme People's Court


'Hanoi Hilton' pics








































The residence of the Australian Ambassador

Hanoi Central Station





Back street of Hanoi


Hanoi Order of Affection for the Holy Cross, a Monastery

St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral



Pre-dinner drinks at the 'Tipsy Bar'

Hanoi at night from level 10 of the Anatole Hotel































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