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Back in the capital of Hanoi, were to be our two final nights in Vietnam. Checking out the old quarter of the city, not far from our hotel, we tried to figure out our bearings and what we wanted to see and do whilst here in this city. Most of decided that we wanted to go to see the water puppetry show. Puppets aren't really my cup of tea, and I imagined puppets on water wouldn't be that thrilling either, but whilst in Hanoi, as they say, and for only $2, it would be rude not to. We booked tickets for a perfomance that evening, and in the meantime headed in search of the market, which our tour guide Aj had raved about, telling us to visit. Trawling the streets in search of the market, wasn't to be desired, but we finally stumbled across it, and as we entered, it could easily have been a market from back home. No traditional goods were to be found, copis of i-pods, and designe bags, yes, but no traditional hats or a postcard in sight. Disappointed I left.
The water puppets that night however weren't as bad as I thought. The hour long sequence, was well produced, bizarre and interesting. Traditional music played throughout, and various puppets came on in certain sequences and splashed around in the waters. It was certainly different, I doubt I would see it again, but at least it's been ticked off the list.
After the show, we met up with our other group members at a restaurant reccommended by the Lonely Planet - Little Hanoi. Situated down a tiny alley, the restauarant was quaint, yet vibrant. We have often found it quite difficul to seat fifteen of us, yet more so in this restaurant. It was already pretty full when we walked in, with all tables occupied, yet the staff seemed insistant that they would seat us. So we waited, and watched, as they made one table move upsatirs, and another table, who alraedy had all their food get up and move to the now vacant table. I couldn't quite believe it!
The food was delicious, and made it worth the shuffle. I had fried chicken with cashew nuts. Afterwards, we headed in search of some cheap bia hoi, and found some cool bars, one where we were in charge of the soundsystem and could play whatever we liked. Mrtin, you would have liked this! We later retreated to a cool bar, with a balcony style area, which we had to ourselves to enjoy. Pretty cool.After a good few hours spent, some people began to retire home, either too drunk, or too exhausted. But I wanted to dance. A few of us decided to stay out, and jumped into a taxi to take us to a club. When we pulled up on a dark road, I didn't feel so confident, but he assured us there was a bar inside.
We walked through a series of motorbikes before getting to the door, which we slid open to reveal a club, slightly dingy, but there was music, a pool table and a bar. We walked around, exploring our surroundings, and I've never been anywhere like it before. We ventured upstairs, wehre it was pitch black, and the boys swore they saw bllod, and I reminded them, that it was places like this young people get killed. We didn't hang around, and left in search of a taxi home.
No wonder I was tired the following morning, I hadn't realised it was five am when we got back, and en route spotting many rats and cockroaches. This city is so dirty and smelly, and not very pleasant or welcoming at all, people are just out to get our money. Piles of litter are visable every ouple of yards, and marajuana is offred left right and centre.
That day, we went to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, and raced around the museum in search of his body, only to find out that it was closed. Nice of AJ to give us this information - he really is useless.
That afternnon, we spent chilling out, napping, and had a stroll around the lake to see the red bridge. Nice and relaxed and rejuvinated, it was our final night in Vietnam, and our final night with ten of our fellow travekllers. Only five of us were continuing on to do Laos and the full loop, and we were to be joined by one more group member. Intrigued, we headed back to the hotel for a meeting with Aj and to meet our new companion.
We were quite taken aback to see a much older woman, I would put her at 52, sitting next to AJ. We smiled and politely said hello, and she introduced herself as Monika from Poland, now living in Australia. After meets and greets, and discovring we would be having a five am start to take us to the Vietnam/Laos border, we headed out for our last meal as a full group.
The following morning, bright and early at four forty-five am, we ate breakfast in silnce, still asleep. Most of the others had got up and out of bed to wave us off which was really nice, but Aj was nowhere to be seen. He casually came downstairs at half five, adn we didn't actually leave until twenty to six, so frustrating knowing we had a fifteen hour bus journey ahead of us.
Given a tiny bus, we realised another thing about our new member Monika, she stinks. She has incredibly bad breath, but also seems to have an aroma which coats her body and clothes. It is vile. We all had to physically cover our noses and mouths for the duration.
Passing some amazing scenery. and going up and down windy mountian roads, I began to feel nautious. The roads were hellishly bumpy and windy, I didn't think I would be able to take it much longer, but then we made it to the Loas border.
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