Berry's SEAJ trip Day 13: Hanoi pt 1 (6/18/15)

We arrive into Hanoi and as soon as we get off the bus, we are hounded by taxi people wanting to take us wherever. Once again they are persistent. I get my orientation from the travel office we got dropped off at and started my walk. Hanoi is like HCMC with its bikes everywhere. On my walk I stopped at an ATM. Usually the fee is 1-2$, however this one charged me ~6-7 and didn't tell me til after the transaction was complete which was incredibly annoying they are able to do that. Drop bag in storage and head out to see the city a little bit before heading back to the hostel to start planning some of the trip.

Berry enjoying the view of the Ngoc Son temple. If I remember right, this lake was known for a mythical turtle (there is a large statue of a turtle in that temple)

Berry looking at the small pagoda on a water locked island south of the big temple. I guess that building doesnt like having visitors.

Berry and I are about to go into the temple on the island, but first a picture of the beautifully ornate entrance gate.

Berry looking at all the items placed on the alter in the temple.

They had this cool incense that looked like a tree and burned up in a spiral fashion. Thats how you incense. 

Giant golden parrot/emu thing. Found it incredibly peculiar looking but also rather intricate.

Bridge back to the mainland. Small island but nice stop as we walked around the city.

Berry loves that pagoda. Kept stopping to look at it and having me take pictures. 

Berry loves all things nature, so we had to stop and get a picture of these lovely flowers.  

Berry wanted to check out this small (you are seeing all of it) tower in the SE corner of the lake area. Minimalist for sure but was still nice to come across. 

As I was wondering the streets away from the lake, I came across this huge church. With the french influence over the years, I really shouldnt be surprised at all the churches but I always was.

Berry wanted to get out of the old town. This is one of the entrances (near the NE where I was staying) that only allows scooters in/out. Kinda a cool way to enter a city if you ask me. 

Book a few things like my flight to Laos, then head out again to find a Cong Caphe which had been recommended to me because they have coffee with coconut in it. Was tasty as I had 2 of their offerings :). It was here I realized I had been sweating for 2 days while walking around and smelt like death's cousin. I then went back to shower and have some dinner before hanging out at the hostel for the jungle party that night where I met a few guys from Ireland and Russia (ran into the Russian the next day and apparently he didn't sleep hahah). After a few drinks, I head to bed as I have to be up early for my trip to Ha-long bay in the morning.

Berry then wanted to get some refreshments. So we went to the Cong Caphe, which many people had recommended on the way, to get some tasty coffee drinks. This one was coffee/coconut and milk. Berry was not brave enough to try it.

This one had coconut ice cream in it so Berry was all over that. The cafe owner got mad at Berry for drinking the coffee (too young) but I let him do it anyways :)