Day three

A lengthened sleep refreshed the batteries, the onto a full day of being a tourist. Visited some incredible places - I have now come to realise that the Vietnamese really have a large soft spot for Ho Chi Minh, or ' Uncle Ho' as the locals like to refer to him. I prefer to call him a Funkmaster Ho, but that's just me. We visited an exhibition over 4 floors dedicated just to him - it's very much pro 'Ho'. In the eyes of the Vietnamese, he was a guardian angel, but read about it one should make their own mind up. He was very dedicated to his people, but with most militant leaders, there was a certain edge to him! Next door, what was there you ask? Well, a gigantic mausoleum dedicated to none other than the people choice , Dr Ho. moving along, Ho's house! I think he may just of had a pretty good time of it when he was around and about. All of this was based in front of huge runway style concrete road - similar to a communist style military parade ground equipped with grandstands. Next door, Ho's former presidential palace, now used by some bloke who apparently just the same as Ho. A complete walk around Hanoi was then undertaken with military precision, visiting the obvious tourist sites, such as temples, pagodas, train station, jails ( where political prisoners were kept until 20 odd years ago, including senator John McCain of the U.S when he was a pilot during the Vietnam War). Tried what is considered a Vietnamese breakfast dish for lunch - beef, in a broth of chillies, mint, cardamom, parsley and garlic. Jasmin had an old favourite - chicken, cashew and vegetable stir fry. Authentic food in authentic surroundings! The afternoon was then filled with similar tourist sightseeing, including the unveiling of Big Al's next secret envelope at an island based meditation shrine. There is absolutely no point going there if you want to meditate, because it seemed every tourist in Vietnam was there. One ageing dude was peacefully muttering his thanks to Buddha, and we thought ' good on him, eladdy the monk'. Not for long though, because the poor fella was tapped on the back and asked to take a photo by group of tourists! It did make me laugh, I must admit. Cool amber liquid was then poured down our pollution ravaged tracheae with much ease, taking in the cool breeze by the lake. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, This is a place that the likes of the gledhills could become very much immersed in - the quality of food, tasty beer, markets and activity.