Back in Hanoi we decided to leave the hostel and get our own space again. We managed to check-in to a nice hotel around the corner so we were still able to meet up with our new found friends in the hostel. We decided to actually see a bit of Hanoi seeing as we were there before but left pretty sharpish for Ha Long. We set off on foot towards the lake which is the epicentre of Hanoi and beautifully lit at night time. It consists of a giant turtle (bit like loch ness) and has a temple in the middle of it. Then we headed to the army museum. We stopped at a really cool bar that a guy in Saigon told us about just for a quick drink before getting accosted by an old woman and her fruit basket at Lenin Park. We were both looking at the massive Statue of Lenin in the middle of the park when two little women surrounded us from different angles. One tried to put her fruit basket on Matts shoulder but he managed to dodge her and step to the side only to dodge her again from the other side and say 'No thank you, come on Sinead'. It was only then he realised I was trapped - the little old lady had managed to get her basket on my shoulder and her hat on my head before I could even utter a word! They are well trained and very quick for tiny old women. We did however end up getting a funny photo and a few bananas and pieces of fresh pinapple for our trouble (obviously we had to pay them for the privilage!)

The army museum was pretty big and we managed to get in for free by simply walking in the side entrance accidently. We were greeted by an outdoor display of weaponry and machinery including a soviet built MiG-21 jet fighter. We felt a bit guilty for not paying the entrance fee so we stayed outside and then climbed the hexagonal flag tower, which is a symbol of Hanoi where we could see the wiley old women standing around the Statue of Lenin.

To be honest we were a bit cultured out so headed back after the army museum and found another recommendation that Lisa gave us in Hoi An, had the most amazing springrolls so far there (crab meat and herbs) for lunch. We headed back to tell our companions about our finds and decided to return that night, so after a quick change and skype to Roisin we headed back to the hostel to meet John and the brizzy girls. We got a bit held up though as Nat was roped into straightening Sideshow Bobs hair before he shaved it into a mohawk and stuck the shaved hair onto any permitted part of his mates body - we left before this happened!!

The restaurant was lovely, a great recommendation which consisted of street food but in a restaurant environment! It had a great atmosphere and was full of both locals and foreigners. There were about 6 mini kitchens that turned out teriffic food (we got spring rolls again!). Yum. Then we wanted to show our friends the new pub we had found but only John was up for it so the three of us headed over to the old fashioned pub that felt like your grans living room. Equipped with Marlyn Monroe pictures, old school dial telephones, old black and white T.V's with ariels and Charlie Chaplin in his glory! We sat on the roof top and chatted with the hue of soft tunes behind us - it was a really funky pub and well worth finding!