We had an early start for today’s adventure. Trang took us for a walk through the park near Hoan Kiem Lake so we could experience the locals exercising like they do every morning. We saw runners and cyclists as well as women doing aerobics and some doing a modernised version of tai chi.
After a walk around the lake we made our way to the Old Quarter to see the morning markets which operate every day with fresh food. They are small little lanes with stalls selling everything from vegetables to live frogs.
We then stopped for breakfast of Bahn Mi at a small shop in old town.
After our yummy traditional Bahn mi we then headed to the Museum of Enthomology which is public exhibit of the ethnic groups of Vietnam to preserve the cultural history.
Before we headed into the next tourist spot we had to try a yummy Bo Bia. A sweet treat made from rice paper, shredded coconut and sugar.
Next was the Temple of Literature which was built in 1076. Vietnam’s first university was established inside the temple to educate Vietnam’s male royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for 700 years but now operates as a museum with beautiful gardens and architecture.
For lunch we then headed to the noodle restaurant made famous by President Obama so of course we had the famous Obama noodles. We could taste why he enjoyed them so much.
Nicely re-fueled we continued on our tourist adventure. Next stop was the prison where Vietnamese revolutionaries and American prisoners of war were held during the Vietnam War.
Next stop was the railway tracks that run right next to houses and cafe’s. While we were there we saw a train go through. Tourist are no longer permitted to walk along these tracks and the cafe’s are only for locals.
All throughout Vietnam we saw motorbikes piled high with goods and people. My challenge was to snap a pic with a family of four on board. It was here next to the railway tracks in Hanoi I finally managed that feat. It is actually illegal to have more than two adults and one small child but that seems to be a very optional law. You are also required to wear helmets.
We finished off our adventure with an egg coffee well mine was an egg hot chocolate which was very yummy indeed.
After an early start and lots of adventure we decided to book a massage. It was certainly not what I had expected. All females are massaged in one long room. Not much modesty although you are given a robe to wear to walk from the change area to the room. Despite that the massage was welcomed after all the activity from the previous week.
It’s actually called ‘Banh’ mi
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