Traffic in hanoi is insane. There are a few signals, but mostly you just play chicken with everyone. Here's a shot of a guy texting while driving. He was actually texting while going through that intersection.
And here's how you have to cross the street. New camera has a 10 second max so i didn't get the entire video, but trust me, I made it across.
My book and a few other travel agencies recommended this “water puppets” show. The music was cool, but the best part about the show was the air conditioned theater. My friend & I fell asleep after 10 minutes. But it was only $1, so it's hard to really complain.
This picture was supposed to be free, but after taking it, the women insisted we buy something from her. We ended up just running away. “free” should really be free!
At the war museum, they have one of our choppers.... gimme back my chopper!
And our tank!!!!
but they can keep the live ammo that is laying around. There are a few items that even the locals won't touch. And people are encouraged to not stray from the path because of land mines. My book reads, “one land mine can ruin your whole day”. Wtf?
Our kick ass tour guide while we were in the “De-Militarized Zone”. He accidentally left his bike helmet on while made him look like almost like he was in war costume.
This was 1/8 of a war cemetery and there were 73 cemeteries in the area.
north vietnam didn't have metal dog tags as most countries do, so some soldiers couldn't be identified. This grave reads, “Unknown Soldier”
Here's a monument that faces north vietnam that signifies the women waiting for their men to return. As a side note, women and children (age 14 & up) were allowed to fight for the north, but only 18+ year old men were allowed to fight for the south.
We visited the Vinh Moc tunnels. 2.8km of tunnels built by 17 people over 18 months. Comes complete with bathrooms, kitchens, weapon storage, etc. I just wish they made the tunnels 4 inches higher because I had to slouch the entire time. They were so inconsiderate back then!
My group outside the tunnel.
While in hue (who-ae), I rented a scooter and was checking out the city when this local pulled me over. Apparently, my driving skills weren't up to par and i stood out or something. She offered to take me to some tombs in exchange for talking with her kids for around an hour so they could practice their english. Sounds like a great deal, eh? Turns out that it is a normal scam and she wanted 200k dong for her kids books. I felt bad, but I told her, “i no pay” over and over. So I got a free guide for the day. In defense of my cheapness, I did give her 3 fruit leather bars (worth 16,600 dong). I'm so giving....
at one of the tombs...
another of the tombs....
since I didn't pay my guide, I was left to find my way back by myself. I asked for directions and felt like I should buy some food from a guy who helped. Let's just concede that the name of this meal should be called “vegetarian hell”. I didn't know what I was eating, but I know it had liver and a few types of meat. Later on, I found out that I was eating dog. Yes, I killed fido. Sorry people.
Some citadel something something... I didn't pay for a guide, so I can't tell you what I was looking at. I'm sure it was some king or emperor's pet cat needed a shrine or something...
non-fatal crash... but still made me ride a little more carefully.
playin' w/ the local bugs...
we didn't want to pay for a ride home after a night of drinking, so we rode the taxi drivers home.
In the next city of “hue an”, there are a ridiculous amount of tailors. And for $80, you can get a nice suit completely custom made with nice fabric. At the time of this blog, I have not purchased a suit. But I have to admit, i'm really tempted. I mean, a new custom suit for $80? they also can make any dresses you want. You just need to show them a picture. ... must .... not .... buy ....
we went on a lame boat ride around the city which was amusing just because we were all together. They driver let simon drive for a bit and I got flashbacks to washing elephants. Hmmm...
Here's a dude fishing.
After the boat ride, we drank beers for a couple hours at 4000 dong a beer. That's 23 cents a beer!
I've got a few more cities to check out in vietnam before I make my way through cambodia. Until then, Mot, hai, ba ... YO!!!
10 comments:
No, not the famous free Chargers hat that appears in most of your pictures!!! You lost it? But how will you look cheesy in pictures now? =) I must say, I'm extremely jealous. You have been so many cool places and had so many great adventures. And you have over a month left! Lucky bastard. And I'm stuck here in Scotland getting all educated! Great video, by the way ;-) You must be happy your camera now limits the length of time some chick can screw up your picture =D
Great to travel with you; have fun with your onward journey.
Mot, hai, ba ... YO!!!
You should buy a suit there cause when else are you gonna get the chance to have one custom made for $80? You know your cheap ass won't find anything like that here in the states. Besides, how long can you possibly wear khaki pants and a yellow v-neck sweater?
well, i do have ONE suit in the states.... cost me $500 for the suit alone... but that yellow v-neck is still going strong baby!
alas, i'm now in nha trung where they don't have 3 tailors every block. so i escaped w/ my $80 in tact. but the kiwi simon took the plunge and got a camouflaged custom suit! the man rocks!!! i have to admit being a little jealous.
yes, the famous chargers hat is now gone. i had 2 of them and both are somewhere else. i guess i'll have to sign up w/ more MBNA credit cards w/ fake names again...
Oh man it looks like you are having such a good time. I feel like im there with ya. :)
Love the blog, fotos and the fact that you make friends all over the world. big al
shoulda gotten the suit!!!! is $80 like a million dong?
I didn't know you went to my homeland. I traveled fr N to S in '98 for 11 wks. I think hanoi is a great city, the people are gritty and such a contrast to the colonial layout and architecture. I went to that same water puppet theater cuz it was in the guidebook, but did you notice it was all white tourists? My friend and I were the only VNese and it was the only time I felt short at 5'3" in a crowd in VN.
I can't believe you dared to motorbike solo anywhere in VN, when I was in Hue, I just rented a bicycle and did just fine. Being the passenger on a motorbike cost me two burns to the calves, and a systemic allergic reaction to something, ouch.
I regretted not getting anything in Hue An, no silk, no tailored anything. I made up for it in Saigon though. Unfortunately, you know the only thing I've managed to teach my kids to say in VNese, mot, hai, ba! Luca says it well, kids have a great ear for language. Good travels.
Oh, and the only place I didn't go was the cu chi tunnels, coulda woulda shoulda
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