きれいroxybabe: りょごうTravels

This was Amy and my first holiday together. It was also a trip that put our friendship to the test!
Day 1 (30/1): Hanoi, old quarters

We arrived at cold and rainy Hanoi. About 14 deg.

We checked in at Return Hotel, a 2-star hotel situated in the old quarters @ 19 Bat Dan, 84 Hanoi, Vietnam. This humbole hotel is owned by a vietnamese family who live on the ground floor.

For USD 20 /room/night, the room was very nice and clean. Equipped with Samsung LCD TV and free wireless access in the room. Local breakfast was delivered to our room every morning.

Our first meal in Hanoi was at the Huyen Huong Restaurant near the Hoen Kiem Lake, a random restaurant we came across cos we were so hungry. We had Pho Ga (pronounced as "Fur Ga"). It's like chicken kway teow soup.

We also shared a plate of 'Nem Ran' or fresh spring rolls. The Nem wasn't great, tasteless and wasn't fresh. Don't ty.

After dinner, we headed to Funky Monkey Bar to meet our colleague, Kelvin and his friend for some beer. Took us the about an hour to find this place as we got the old address. One thing about Hanoi that we learnt was that the shops move a lot. So do double check on the address before you may your way there.

We had the local Halida beer - only SGD$2/-!

A good beer always warms you up when you are feeling cold.

Day 2 (1/2): Hanoi, old quarters
Our 2nd day was pretty much a focused one: 1) Look for a tailor along Ha Gai Street as we brought our favourite wear to copy; 2) Lunch@ Wild Lotus; 3) Ipa-Nima for bag shopping!

But before that, breakfast. delivered to our room ..... Amy had the Bun Bo Hue, a spicier version of pho, made with round noodles, beef/pork/chicken, lemon grass and whole chilies. I had baguette and fried egg.

An interesting artifect on the wall along Ha Gai Street.

After much walking, we finally found a tailor at the end of Ha Gai Street, near the Hoan Kiem Lake. It's called Hafasco, owned by a very nice Vietnamese man who is probably in his early 40s. The good thing is, he speaks and understands quite a good amount of English.

After spending almost 45 mins at the tailor, we walked to the Wild Lotus Restaurant (about 1 hr). We were lost at first as we missed the restaurant.

We finally found it. From the outside, it's quite hard to see the words! No wonder we missed it! We were so hungry and ordered 4 yummi-licious dishes:

1) Fried Rice wrapped in egg!

2) Fried Vermicelli (tastes like fried kway teow)

3) Nem (Deep fried spring rolls)

4) Wild Lotus' famous glutinous rice dessert with coconut ice-cream

After lunch, we made our way to Ipa Nima, a boutique famous for its handmade bags designed by former HK litigator, Christina Yu.

There were so many bags that we couldn't decide what to get!

Finally managed to decide on this bag. Cost: SGD $116/-

After spending 1 + 1/2 hrs at the shop, we were finally satisfied with our shopping.

Dinner was at Hoa Sua Cooking School, vocational training school to only disadvantaged youths, including children of war invalids, orphans and street kids, children from poor families living in poverty, and speech and hearing impaired youths.

Broken rice with pork balls swimming in fish sauce.

Amy's meal combi - rice, spring rolls, veg, pork and soup.

The spring rolls were a bit thick and springy.

Dessert - three different types of Creme Brulee

What a hearty meal.

Day 3 (2/2): Halong Bay
Day trip to Halong Bay was not as fantastic as we thought it would be.

On our way in the bus.

Halong Bay

We were wearing beanies but this guy was wearing a santarina hat.

Lunch on the boat

Our favourite - Nem

Limestone cave at Halong Bay

Our boat

Dinner was at another Lonely Planet recommendation, Bunta - Everything Is Bun (situated opp Hoen Kiam Lake)

Broken rice

Bun Bo Hue

Day 4 (3/2) : Hanoi, old quarters
Surprise! Surprise! It was one of the rare days that did not rain.

Just outside our hotel at Bat Dan street where lots of locals were having breakfast.

We couldn't resist trying some fried stuff this lady was selling. There were a variety like goreng pisang, tapioca and sweet potato.

It was oily but wat the heck, the cold weather and all that walking we're gonna do would burn it off..heehee.

The Chinese Vietnamese also celebrate Chinese New Year, or what they call "Tet". On our way to Dong Xuan Market, we came across rows of stalls selling Tet decorations on Hang Man street.