Day 23 - The day we saw a dead guy!!

Not a great nights sleep due to door to the balcony not having much of a seal round it and the Vietnamese city folk not going to bed until about 2am and being up at 05:30!

Decent breakfast selection but only noticed the full works after we'd ordered! Then it out onto the mean streets!

We decided we wanted to visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum which is where the great leader is embalmed for all to see. After about a 30 minute walk we thought we were there as we could see the building but no. As we made our way across the park, we had a guard whistle at us and point us down another road. Around the block we went and eventually came across the main entrance. With smartly dresses guards all around we were told to stand side by side as we walked through the security, handing over our bags. Through something that resembled airport security we marched up to the entrance (felt like Noah's ark as we 2 by 2!). On entry you are told to be in silence and show respect and with guards with guns there was no problem obeying. I only needed to be told to be quiet once!! Into the room where the body lies, there is a chill in the air and an eerie silence as you pass the body in a clear box for all of 30 seconds. The whole thing was a bit surreal as Ho Chi Minh had told his people he wanted to cremated and spread across northern, central and southern Vietnam to signify the unification he brought to the country. After his death, they decided to embalm his body instead so people could come and worship him which takes a bit of the meaning away.

On leaving the mausoleum it was a quick coffee in the Vietnamese Starbucks equivalent by the army museum before heading back to town. Unfortunately the museum was closed as apparently it holds the wreckage of lots of US military equipment which would have been cool. We wandered all the way to the other side of the city to have a look at the French Quarter with it's opera house and some of the designer shops. Spot of lunch down by the lake.

One thing we wanted to see was the Hoa Lo prison which was used to house the rebel Vietnamese during the French colonial period and also US soldiers during the 'American war'. The place was a real eye opener especially seeing some of the cells and the small spaces that people were crammed into. Basically a room with a bench against the side walls with shackles next to each other which captives were held in. Quite a good piece on how people escapes through the sewer system!! The only disappointment was the spin there was on how the US soldiers were treated as there was no mention of the cruel torture that the were (apparently) put through but only the 'luxuries' they were afforded. There was a really good piece on John McCain who was shot down over Hanoi and held here. He went onto stand for the presidential election in 2008.

A bit of a wander around town including a cake in a nice coffee shop and a drink over looking the cathedral in a bar. We could sit there all day and people watch as it is carnage with school kids running around, cars and mopeds which are not a good mix when in the same space!

Back to the hotel after trying a few dresses on, Alice that is. Bit of packing for our overnight trip to Halong Bay tomorrow to stay on a boat before heading out for dinner. We went to an amazing place called Quan An Ngon which was an open air courtyard Vietnamese restaurant. It has lots of different street food kitchens round the outside and each one cooks its own speciality dish. A nice English speaking waitress helped us order. Spring rolls to start which she showed us how to roll as it's not a easy as it sounds then a couple of amazing main courses. The place resembled the streets outside with loads of staff buzzing about everywhere. There was a good mix of locals, business men and tourists - a great atmosphere!! It was a fab meal for £8 which included drinks. Next door to the restaurant we 'happened' to stumble across a shop that specialised in chocolate! There was everything from kinder eggs to full on pure chocolate bars! I picked up a smallish white chocolate tablet and upon asking whether it was just pure white chocolate the assistant had it out of my hand and walked me to counter. I had no choice but to buy it, what a shame!!

Off to Halong Bay tomorrow and an early pick up so it was back to the hotel to watch a bit of quality tv and write the blog for yesterday. Still flicking through the channels every 5 minutes hoping the Chelsea vs Liverpool highlights will be on, no joy so far! Did mange to check how my fantasy football team is getting on and was pleasantly surprised.