Back to Hanoi for the third time and the Flower Garden Hotel which is a nice hotel not too far from the Old Quarter and the French Quarter.

Hanoi is a big, noisy Asian city with millions of scooters that honk at every opportunity. Crossing the street requires a special strategy of stepping out bravely and strolling nonchalantly across the street hoping that the cars and bikes will miss you as they weave around you. Janet has it down pat but I am more wary and tend to stick very closely to her or skitter across like a frightened mouse. So far so good!!
Instructions from an American man who lives here, says on no account run or make sudden moves as you don't want to startle them into making a silly move.

First day we went to visit Ho Chi Minhs houses and museum. What an experience!!! Had to leave bottles of water, were bag searched several times and joined a queue of thousands that wove around streets and the complex for about a kilometer . However, they have it very well controlled and the line kept moving fairly quickly so we filed past Uncle Ho's preserved body. The line was not allowed to stop and of course no photos. He looked like he was peacefully sleeping despite his request that his body be cremated and his ashes scattered across Vietnam.

We looked at two of his earlier houses and again the line of people moved steadily along and before long we were through and out and had picked up our belongings.

Hanoi has been very hot and humid - 38 and 39. So in the late afternoon we went back into the centre of Hanoi to find a post office, then had lunch at the Metropole Hotel. This is one of the beautiful old buildings bestowed by the French reign and we enjoyed sitting in air conditioned comfort eating Chicken Caeser Salad followed by the most delightful citrus eclair and coconut ice cream.

We then strolled down the left bank of the lake looking at art galleries and wandered home through the Old quarter. We were a little tired after all the walking and had dinner near the hotel!!

Next day we visited the Fine Arts Museum which was a bit disappointing because it needed some love and care. We tracked down a restaurant that trains street kids to give them a chance of learning a trade - had great food.

Later visited a great antique shop owned by an American who really knew his history. Some interesting items all with info on where found and history. He took us on a tour of his shop - 3 floors and whilst there a huge storm broke over the city.

We were trapped there for a couple of hours with flooded streets and trees ripped up. We entertained ourselves watching from the shop front as people tried to drive bikes, motorbikes and cars through the flooded streets.

Eventually we braved the rain to make it to a nearby restaurant for dinner. What an experience.

Today we went into town to do some shopping and again wandered back through the Old Quarter and saw lots of interesting things

After a rest we decided to spend our remaining Dong and treat ourselves to a manicure and pedicure (for the princely sum of $10). Thank goodness Janet went first -she has no fingernails or toenails left!! It was so funny cos the lady wanted to paint them and was so disappointed that she would only let them paint her toes. Hers and mine look terrible but I managed to save my nails by pulling them away when she tried to cut them!!

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Vietnam and head for China.