Hanoi here we come

Managed to miss the typhoon in the afternoon, we arrived about 7:30 pm just a little down pour and a bit of wind! 

We are here for one night before heading off to Sapa and Halong Bay.

Then we will be back for a night before heading south to Hue and Hoi Ann

Then we return for one more night before heading home!

So yes Hanoi is our base to explore the north of Vietnam. People, bikes, scooters, cars and more people!

Green Tangerine was the recommended restaurant on our return visit from Sapa. Excellent.

Catch cry in Vietnam " Same same". But different! 

Like clockwork we were met at the airport by the driver from Marigold Hotel, a delightful, friendly place to stay when in Hanoi. We had three different rooms, all very nicely set up, modern and very clean. They even stored our luggage while we went away to Sapa and Halong Bay and again when we went south.

Marigold Hotel Hanoi

Young Manager!

The young manager had organised our train trip to Sapa and boat trip on Halong Bay he was so efficient at doing this we let him organise our trip south to Hue and Hoi Ann too. Hotels, flights, car and driver, transfers, the lot, all worked almost like clockwork.

Still doing things the old way

The storm had left a trail of destruction

Yes whole families on one bike or scooter

The old quarter

We strolled around for a whole day exploring the old quarter, the market and the park, dodging the traffic and the monsoon rain. Like any Asian city it is always a hive of activity, sitting out on the pavement for a beer and watching the passing parade is the best way to see how the city works, it is fascinating to watch.