Thursday was our last day in Hanoi before we headed North to Lao Cai so we decided to get out on the bikes and head off to West Lake. The traffic wasn't too crazy and it was really try to brighten up. Later in the day we saw some very clear shadows being cast from almost sunshine. Westlake is very large and is fringed almost all the way buy a very quiet road. The breeze was cool blowing off the lake. I had to stop at one point and do some minor manintenance work on Carols brakes as they were really rubbing badly.
The two big surprises to come out of the ride were we found the posh section of Hanoi as well as a fabulous wine shop called the Red Apron. I found the only cider in all of Hanoi which the shop assistant called beer. So we purchased two small bottles for later that night to toast our 7 month anniversary. So once the train had actually pulled out of the station and was shaking and shuddering its way out of town we opened the cider and celebrated.
One other amazing thing happenned on our way home through the afternoon rush hour. We had stopped to check our bearings across the road from the Hanoi Citadel. This is where all the powerful people in the VN Government work. There were soldiers in green and white and all had automatic weapons. We had pulled off in a driveway to a war museum where the gate was locked and there were 4 wide lanes and a broad medium strip between us and the main entrance with the guards.
Well the guard stepped towards us pointed directly at me, waved us on quickly and blew his whistle so we headed off immeadiately.
Single woman fishing fleet
Kangarooo
West Lake Sea Dragons
Fishing Viet style one pole, a hand reel and one eye at the tip on your own paltform.
Looking out over Hanoi
Cumquat orchard and one room huts by the lake.
Lunch by the lake owners choice.
Local BUG
The dummy Gold Magnum at the Red Apron Bottle shop in the heart of Elite Hanoi where a brand new Rolls Royce with very dark windows silently passed us by.
Sleeper 16
