Day 54: Hanoi

Our last day in Hanoi! We had planned to go to the water park, however, we were concerned about Kyle’s toe getting infected so we decided to scratch that plan and go for a walk and massage instead.

With our change in plans we could afford a late breakfast. Eventually we walked to Banh Mi 25 and called it brunch, getting two fried garlic mushroom with bbq pork banh mi’s each and a mango smoothie to share. All was delicious and cost only 160k VND ($11).

While that settled, we lounged around and did some Vietnam research, eventually deciding on Ninh Binh as our next destination. As we walked to the lake in the old quarter, we stopped in at a couple of travel agencies to get an idea of what a bus to Ninh Binh the following day would cost. All quotes were high at $8USD + each, so we canned that approach and made a detour back to Lily’s Travel to cut a deal. It worked out brilliantly with a bus booked for 8.30 am the next day for only $4USD each!

Eventually we made it to the lake, only to find that it was tourist central and hectic as hell. We walked around the lake, amused by all the tourists on bike carts and tour carts, and admiring the Pagoda floating in the middle of the lake. When we found some shade we parked up for a feed of mango and pineapple. It was the first time we had been given chilli salt for the pineapple so I thought it would be rude not to give that a try. It wasn’t bad, taking away from the sweetness of the pineapple giving a more savory taste, however it wasn’t for me.

At the end of the lake was a floating temple which could be explored for a small fee. There was a steady stream of tourists going in and coming out of the temple, so we thought ‘bugger that’ and kept walking.

Once back in the streets of the old quarter, we started exploring the shops to look for some new runners for Kyle. We spent over 30 minutes looking at sneakers, after we finally found a shop that had some, before Kyle decided on a pair. He is now the proud owner of some sick black Adidas trainers. The new purchase left me feeling like I wanted to buy something too, so to round out the days shopping I brought Kyle and I a bia hoi t-shirt to share, classic Hanoi tourist move.

From there we were straight across the street into a massage parlour. We both had a 70 minute foot massage, which included arms, neck, shoulders and head, for 190k ($13) each. Fantastic.

For dinner we went to Pho 10. This joint was always packed when we had walked past previously and had copycat stores, so we figured it must make delicious food. It was also cheap at 60k a bowl ($4). Damn it was tasty Pho. We had the half cooked beef and the half cooked beef with brisket. I am still really enjoying the table full of condiments (lime, garlic, chilli etc.) to change up the flavour of dishes when eating in Vietnam, although at this place we didn’t really need it.

Feeling satisfied we were back to the beer street. We tried a new bar this time after we managed to cut a 20k Saigon Special deal, however, they tried to move us inside so as soon as we had finished the beer we were out of there and back to the same spot as the night before. The promoters were as entertaining as usual and the kids of an Australian family next to us were being little shits which added great entertainment value.

A few beers later we thought we should call it or we’d be too tired to watch Game of Thrones. Turns out we’d already passed that point as we both fell asleep before the end of the episode…..