Hanoi

Sunday – The Vietnam Air flight landed on time at 06:30 this morning at Hanoi airport. Feeling much better today. Baggage collection was another drama. After a very long wait Sylvie’s bag finally arrived but mine was left behind at CDG airport in Paris, and it was not the only one. A whole pallet of bags was left behind. Then a lengthy delay in completing the paperwork and then to our dismay our hotel car wasn’t waiting for us. Next mistake we took an un-approved taxi called Grab who asked for US$45 but we gave him US$20, the going rate. The hotel that he took us to was called the “GM Premium Hotel” but we were booked into the “LeaH Silk Hotel”. It turns out that our hotel was sold, and the name changed. Two hotel name changes in two countries in two days, who would credit that happening and each time there were related transport problems. The hotel staff are fabulous, the staff are delightful, and nothing was too much for them. We were greeted with fruit tea. Delicious!! After settling in we walked to the cathedral, the one pillar pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. For lunch I had a packed of potato chips and fresh coconut juice, this was followed by some city exploration and a delicious dinner in our room.Read more