Monday, January 25, 2016

Hanoi from Halong Bay, Vietnam 01Jan2016

 Sunrise in beautiful Halong Bay

This big Ferris Wheel must be brand new.

Big tourist theme park was also being built
on the beach which is a shame.

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We took a ship's tour of Hanoi today
as this is our third visit to Halong Bay.

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam
which is well mixed it's Asian
and French heritage.

It took 3.5 hours drive from 
Halong Bay by mini van.

It is just 170Km away 
but two lane road
has to find the way through
many small villages, too.


 The Presidential Palace at the Ho Chi Minh quarter

 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at the quarter

 A guard at the Mausoleum

 In front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

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Our tour group has been divided into 
3 small groups of 6 people each.
So, it was quite swift to move around.

 One Pillar Pagoda is a temple
 just 5 minutes walk from the quarter.

 Built in 1049, It has been a place where
people wish to have baby come to pray for. 
 This pagoda is one of two 
most iconic temples in Vietnam

 Ho Chi Minh Museum is located in 
right next to one pillar pagoda

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 Temple of Literature.
Serene retreat, built in 1070 to dedicate to Confucius.
It was the first University in Vietnam.




 Having fun with visitors from local high school 




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Our next stop for the day was Hoan Kiem Lake 
where the city is built around.
Literally, it means 'Returned Sword Lake'



 Turtle Tower standing in a small island
nestled in the middle of lake

 The turtle in the legend with the sword




 Temple on the island crossed over the wooden red bridge


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Bustling Hanoi's Old Quarter (aka 36 Old Streets)
was found next to the turtle lake


 Theatre for Vietnam's famous water puppet show

 Bit of French heritage

 Street scenes from the 36 Old Streets 
alongside of the lake


As our last stop, we came to look around 
the Hoa Lo Prison Museum(aka Hanoi Hilton).

It was used by the French for Vietnamese political prisoners
then later for American prisoners during the Vietnam war.

Well, today's tour has taken nearly 12 hours
and our mini van was the last tour group 
to arrive back to the ship.

But Hanoi is our pleasant surprise
with it's charming history and heritage.

So glad that we decided to 
visit this wonderful city.

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