Hanoi, Vietnam

Second day here, first full day, and I decided to hit the street to see what Hanoi had in store for me! My first impression - organized ciaos! But there are these little pockets of solitude within the ciaos. Temples and pagoda's, beautiful parks and a lake in the middle of town.

Motor bikes rule the world here! There are about a bazillion of them, and there is very little rhyme or reason to the rules, at least that I can figure! Somehow, still, there's no road rage! As a pedestrian, I can't lie, I was fearful. You shouldn't need lessons to cross a street, right?!?! Regardless, I started watching everyone around me and step by step, they inch out until bikes and the occasional car or van is whizzing by you on both sides, then just keep finding your hole, and step.... and the next thing you know, you're across.  Ya, I know this sounds ridiculous, but I'll attempt to get some pics to show how insane it really is! Sometimes people drive both ways - at eachother - and just weave in and out! Sidewalks are for parking, not walking. The street is where you walk... yes, with all the other traffic - and try to keep in the same direction dear!

Next crazy thing... the market! HEAVEN! Everything you could possibly think of times 8! In every colour, size, you name it, they have it! Started my shopping early this trip! The Old Quarter streets are lined with vendors of every type, food, clothing, trinkets, supplies - EVERYTHING! And it's all packed into tiny little stalls, of which there are a million!

So, everyone here loves to practice english! These four fine ladies are university students who were tasked to have a conversation with a foreigner about education. They were sooooo excited to find me! It was hilarious! So we walked around the lake in the middle of the old quarter for a bit and compared our school systems. Interesting conversation!

This is the beautiful old structure in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Legend has it that in the mid 15th century, heaven gave Emperor Ly Thai To a magical sword that he used to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam.  One day after the war, while out boating, he came upon a giant golden tortoise; the creature grabbed the sword and disappeared into the depths of the lake.  Since that time, the lake has been known as Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword) because the tortoise returned the sword to its divine owners.  

An embalmed turtle - not sure if this is grandpa, but apparent great grandpa still lives here and has been sighted from time to time.  Infact, he was pulled from the lake a few years ago for medical treatment due to pollution!

This is Ngoc Son Temple, which is on an island in the lake, with a big red bridge reaching out across the water. Such a peaceful place!

This tree is literally growing on it's side!

Many of the street vendors here have birds - I'm not sure why, but they are a nice addition to the bustling street and their songs are beautiful!

After the markets, a tour around the lake and the Ngoc Son Temple, I headed to the Temple of Literature. This site was dedicated to Confucius in 1070 and later established as a university. It has five beautifully groomed courtyards and a peaceful reflecting pool.

Next was the One Pillar Pagoda, designed to represent a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of murky water. 

Then to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex - I obviously didn't find this very interesting as I don't have any photos! But the Tran Quoc Pagoda I walked to next was super neat!

After that, I headed back to the hotel for a little rest. Still adjusting to the timing! Looking forward to some fabulous dinner tonight, tomorrow - heading to Halong Bay!