They really do wear those cone hats here...

After two overnight bus rides, I made it to Hanoi. I was with this English guy Tom who I had met back in Thailand actually, and we went to meet some of his friends. The four of us booked a trip to Halong Bay right away since I was short on time up north.

Hanoi is crazy. I am glad I went up there. There are soooo many motorbikes and I hear that its even worse in Saigon (I know, Ho Chi Minh City, but Saigon is easier to write). I really liked Hanoi, it is very busy and lively. People just set up their food stalls everywhere. You can barely walk on the sidewalks cause they are so full of food places.

Bananas

Entrance to old city

Old ladies doing massages in the park

Halong Bay was really pretty. There isn't much to it though, they suffle you from a bus to a boat, where you hang out and enjoy the scenery, go for a swim, we went kayaking a bit. Its supposed to be a protected area, but there was a lot of pollution and garbage in the water... and a lot of jelly fish. But it was still really pretty.

Party on the boat

Halong Bay store

Limestone rocks

After Halong Bay, I spent another two days in Hanoi just touring around. We went to Ho Chi Minh's tomb thing, where he was preserved and put on display, it was crazy! It was the first dead body I have seen.

Food stall and cone hat!

Bia Hoi, little beer places where you can get home brewed stuff for like 25 cents!

I took another overnight bus down to Hue where I stayed three nights. Hue is very different from Hanoi, its quiter, cleaner, but there are still a lot of motorbikes. I toured the citadel, which is an old fortress in the city with a lot of temples. The whole area is just really beautiful ride your bike around in. While I was riding around, I met a nice couple who invited me for dinner. It was a little strange, cause when I got there, they had already eaten and just watched me eat... The wife was really nice and took me to a good tailor she knew and I had a suit made up for me. At the first fitting, I wanted to cry because everything was wrong. the suit made me look like an old lady with a pea head, so I asked them to re-do it. Since it WAS the design I had picked, I had to pay another $15 for a new jacket. But in the end, the suit looks awesome, a little pricey but awesome. For a custom made jacket, pants and skirt, it cost $175. I think its a good deal, but we'll see how long the suit lasts to decide. haha.

Citadel

Quy and Tho, my local friends

Thien Mu Pagoda

Since I was in the area, I decided to do a tour of the Demiltarized Zone. This is where Vietnam was divided between north and south and actually became one of the most heavily militarized areas during the war. Gary, I should have you write this part...

Me on the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Me at Khe San Combat Base, where one of the bloodiest battles took place

Picture of child carrying supplies

The Vinh Moc tunnels were a series of tunnels that went up to 30 meters underground where over 300 local tribes people lived during the war to avoid the constant bombing. It was a highlight of the day, absolutely amazing.

A standard family room in the tunnels

I have just arrived in Hoi An, which is probably the worst place to be if you like shopping because you can get ANYTHING made here. I just ordered a pair of shoes and I will probably walk away with a few dresses... I should leave. haha.