Exploring Hanoi

Foreigner
n. a person born in or coming from a country other than one's own

Um wow. I am so sorry! Its been what, 7 months? These 7 months has has its ups and downs but I'm here, I've gotten more clothes, I've gotten more experiences, I've got my High School Certificate and I have definitely got a lot more weight!

During my 3 months long holiday back in Hong Kong, I decided that I just needed to get out of the country even if its just for 5 days. So after much persuasion and many change of plans, on the 14th of February, the lovely valentines day, I headed off to Vietnam with my... father. Yup, no lovers or anything just my lovely father.

I've had a few choices for my holiday destination. I wanted Korea in the beginning but it was 'too cold' for my dad, there was also the option of Japan since we haven't been back for so long but you know, I wanted to go somewhere I've never been - or in my father's word, I just wanted to say that I've been to somewhere - the somewhere which happens to be Hanoi, Vietnam. And I definitely do not regret going to this incredible city.

      

First stop was the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. This show was recommended in almost every 'what to do in Hanoi' posts I've read so naturally we had to go. It was entertaining, something you shouldn't miss out on, also gives you a chance to just sit and appreciate their culture after a long day of walking and sight seeing. Because we got there around 5 minutes after the show started, we were in quite a bit of a rush to just get in and sit, so we got whatever ticket was available, which just happened to be the first row seats - also the more expensive ticket but it was only 100,000 VND (only 6 AUD!) totally worth paying that extra 40,000 VND. It also does get crowded many nights, so if you do want to ensure a seat on a particular timing, buy your ticket hours before the show or travel tours will snatch them up!

Second stop was actually the next day. You don't need to go to Europe to see big old churches. There's one right here in Hanoi! This is the Saint Joseph's Cathedral, incredibly impressive, tucked away into the neighbourhoods. I'm not quite sure if you could actually go inside or not but when we went the from was barricaded.

Third stop, Hoan Kiem Lake which translates to the Lake of the Returned Sword. The centre of Hanoi tourism. You can definitely see western influence in here and its aim to please foreigners, everything from KFC to Papaya to shopping like West Nine is all here. Which reminds me, I can readily say that Hanoi is not the most advanced city, but you should definitely not expect dirt roads and shops with absolutely no english in it. Just outside my hotel, there was Longchamp and Prada. A few blocks away, there was a whole centre dedicated to Chanel, Dior and all that stuff. I mean yes it is near tourist district but it's definitely not behind. Anyways pictured here is the turtle tower!

On one side of the lake is this gorgeous red 'Huc Bridge' which leads to the Temple of Jade Mountain (which is the very first picture of this post) which you have to pay to get in. But that is alright, the view from the bridge is already enough. I'm not sure how much tickets are as we didn't go in because the line was crazy long and we didn't feel like waiting (more like we thought we were in a line but we were actually only in the not going in the temple so don't need ticket line)

Well that is all for today, there are many more pictures to see, many more places we visited, so we'll just have to leave it for next time :)

So tell me, where did you go the past holiday? I would love to get some ideas on where to go next!

See you next time//
Elle