Sunday, March 6, 2011

Vietnam: Hanoi Day 1

Okok, I know my travel log for Taiwan yet to be complete and now I started to write about Hanoi. Sorry about that. I'm not the one who plan for Taiwan, hence a lot of details I'm not so sure about it. Please forgive me and let me write Hanoi ok? :P

Our flight depart on 6.30am and we are force to reach LCCT 2 hours earlier for the check in luggage. Well that's expected. Thanks to my housemate who willing to wake up early and fetch us to the Airport. The flight to Hanoi took nearly 3 hour and we successful landed at around 9.15am. After pickup our luggage, we will then meet the driver who will fetch us to our guest house. FOR FREE. Yeah this is the service that provided by the guest house if we stayed for at least two (2) night :D

The distance from Nobai Airport to our guest house took about 45 minutes, including the ridiculous traffic jam all along the way. As you might know, Vietnam time zone is 1 hour earlier than Malaysia. So, when we reach our guest house is just nearly 10.30am.
Little Hanoi
This is the guest house that we'll be staying in Hanoi - Little Hanoi
But as we are going to SAPA on the next day, tonight we'll be sleeping inside the train. The owner is so good that she immediately serve us with a warm breakfast to welcome our arrival at Hanoi. Again, the breakfast is free :)

Chicken Instant Noodle
Chicken Instant Noodle

Beef Instant Noodle
Beef Instant Noodle

After having our full meal, is time to move out and explore Hanoi. Wait! Let me take out my GPS first.

Ta da! This printed Google maps will bring us and explore every part of Hanoi attraction.

According to the itinerary planned. Our first stop is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. However, along the way to the Mausoleum, there are few interesting place that might worth to visit as well. Let's enjoy the photo :)

Lenin Park
Lenin Park

DSC6340Embassy of Malaysia
This is not for visit. Our Malaysia Boleh Embassy.

Hanoi Government
Please keep off the grass!
Please keep off the grass!

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausolem (Opening Hour 8-11am, fee 2USD)

Just a few block away, you will reach the next destination.
One Pillar Pagoda
One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda
Now you know why it call One Pillar.

One Pillar Pagoda
A lot of people praying here. Only for those who wear long pant allowed to climb up to the stair.

One Pillar Pagoda
Shot that took inside the pond. From bottom up. Nah, is just a reflection :P

Hanoi National Museum
Next to One Pillar Pagoda is National Museum

Unknown Temple
Ticket Hanoi National Museum
Entrance Ticket to the Museum (Fee 15000dong or 0.75USD)

Exhibition Item
Statue of Ho Chi Minh
Exhibition Hall
Statue of Ho Chi Minh
Exhibition Item
Exhibition Item
Exhibition Item
Exhibition Item
Exhibition Item
Exhibition Item

Ok, the next attraction is damn far away. Just follow the directory on Google Maps will definitely bring you to the place. Moreover, the weather is cooling and is best to walk around like this without any sweat!

Ticket Temple of Literature
Entrance to Temple of Literature (Fee 10000dong or 0.50USD)

Entrance Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature, most of the visitor are student who wish to get a good result on their study.

Dragon Head
Dong
Temple of Literature
Statue of Literature

Is around 3pm (Malaysia time 4pm) now and we yet to take any lunch :(
Move on to the next spot

Train Track
The local must be very annoyed living on this area.

St Joseph Cathedral
St Joseph Cathedral, our last stop before going back to Little Hanoi.

Virgin Mary
Virgin Mary.

Eyes on You
St Joseph Cathedral
Please pray for Japan :(

Oh well, is time to take a break. Stopped at Pepperoni's Pizza.
Pizza.Ribs.Pasta
Sprite
Lemon Soda
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Grilled BBQ Chicken

Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

Pepperoni's Pizza
29P Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi


The time is around 5.00pm after we finish our lunchner and we are urge to reach Little Hanoi at 6.00pm. Take a bath, tidy up and wait for the cab to bring us to Train Station.
Ticket to SAPA
The train ticket that Little Hanoi bought for us. This ticket included as part of the SAPA tour.

Night Train
This is a night train which allow you to sleep inside the cabin as it will take 10 hours to Lao Cai which is our next destination.

Orient Express
Cabin No. 3
Our room in Cabin No. 3. One room contain 4 bed. That's mean you need to share a room with another 2 unknown person. Luckily our roommate is an Australian Couple and they are very friendly too.

Finally we can sleep tight without any worry :)

Note: There are a lot of Hanoi kids that pretend to be good to you near the train station. They will help you to bring your luggage and take you to the train. After that, they will ask for tips from you! Please ignore them! Don't give them any penny! Remember ok!

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