Although there is only a three hour time difference and I usually laugh in the face of jet-lag, I'll be b*****ed if I can get those three hours back. If I wake up again at 5am then that's it, I'll have to drink myself to sleep.
Got organised this morning & went down stairs for brekkie, not the buffet style but in the Hotel Elegance 4 they had made to order. Went the standard fried number and will eye off the French toast tomorrow.
Binny & I were splitting from the guys today as they were off to see some of he sights we saw last time we were here. Our plan was to take a walk around the Old Quarter & French Quarter and take some snaps of the sights we missed last time.
Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of the old quarter is beautiful. The entire old own revolves around it and just about every shop & cafe has a different view to enjoy. It is amazing how many bikes there are on the road. I was told that the population is around 5million and there are 3 million motorcycles in Hanoi alone. The constant flow of traffic is incredible. I came to the conclusion that there were really only 1349 people that rode around the block again & again changing costume just to freak me out. Binny is sure I am wrong.

We make it around to the French Quarter and ook in the Opera house and surrounds. The difference between the Old & French quarters is great. The French Quarter follows typical western architecture whilst the Old quarter more the Chinese. The French influence is still very much present in the food and design & seems to marry well with the traditional Vietnamese. Vietnam is the second largest producer of coffee to the world behind Brazil, and I dare say that the pastries would probably leave the frogs for dead, Binny could vouch for that!

After cruising around town for several hours, we caught up with the guys who had enjoyed an equally adventurous morning. Now those of you who had heard my rabble about our last trip to Vietnam, would be familiar with the legendary 'SPRING ROLL VOLCANO'. Binny & I had walked the narrow streets of the Old Quarter earlier in the morning, retracing our steps to find the restaurant that served the mythical gastronimical delight.

Pictures and video of the beast can be fond in the Hanoi photo album. Lets just say, I don’t think Stevo was disappointed.

After lunch we headed back to the hotel for a quick rest & then we were off to the Water Puppets.

The world famous Hanoi Water Puppets are situated lakeside in the Old Quarter. The show goes for about 45 mins (some might say 44 mins too long) but is a must see in Hanoi. There are around ten or so puppeteers behind a green bamboo screen splashing the puppets about to the tunes of a live traditional Vietnamese band/music group. I kind of lost the plot a bit watching this so I am sorry if I cannot relay the entire story. Someting about a guy & the turtles or something???? but it was great.

Back to the hotel via more shopping & a rest then off to Bobby Chinns for dinner.

Bobby Chinn's story is pretty awesome, half Egyptian, half Chinese, born in New Zealand, educated primarily in England, and has a sense that San Francisco was home. He was privileged to be brought up with two grandmothers who were both really great cooks. His Chinese grandmother was from Shanghai and made Chinese food that he had never tasted in any restaurant anywhere. She was cooking a “fusion” type of Chinese food back in the 50’s, substituting for ingredients that were not readily available in the U.S. at that time. Some how she made light sauces, greaseless noodles, and tastes that were entirely unique. His Egyptian grandmother cooked in all manners of North African food - she would make a wicked couscous, Bisteeya, and desserts that are highly addictive.

Combined with his show on Foxtel 'World Cafe Asia' the guy has come up with a truly unique menu from his travels through Asia & amazing restaurant. It used to be located just on the lake in the Old Quarter but has moved just out of town, a 15 min cab ride. We rocked up in our Sunday bests and had a few drinks before eating. The decor & art in the place is pretty confronting. Alot of Vietnam war style pop art and sketches line the walls. The menu had not changed very much from out last visit & we were all pleased with our choices. Unfortunately Bobby was off travelling so I couldn't say gday, bought his cook book which is forwarded by Bourdaine so I am well chuffed.

We took a cab back to the hotel after dinner and hit the sack as Binny & I were off to Hoa Lu & Tam Coc in the morning & Steve & Timmos to Ha Long Bay.