Dear Pipsqueaks,
The day started at our own pace around 9am, brushing up to catch breakfast before it ended at 10am. Breakfast area was petite and homey, so I had expected a very simple breakfast. I couldn't be more wrong.
A whole counter filled with local fruits; a section with western pastry; hot noodles and fried fish cake; drinks and sauces. Then, the great offer to order anything from the hot meal menu. From noodles to omelette to sunny-sideups, what an unexpected surprise! Just brilliant - not to mention a smart way to save space and food. Also, a personalised feel to breakfast when it comes out nice and hot just for you. Thumbs up!
Then, a cup of their famous Vietnamese coffee. Wow, even hotel breakfast coffee can taste this awesome. I'm amused alright. I can do this kinda breakfast any day!
(You're looking at most of the breakfast buffet - not a big one, but they do have a hot food menu to order from. I like this system better where I order my pho and munch on the fruits and drink soup while waiting. There is another smaller table with hot plates holding a few other selections to choose from. The second best part of breakfast is the Vietnamese coffee! It's been a while since I had hotel breakfast coffee that I actually look forward to!)
After a fantabulous breakfast, we were ready to hit the road. Started with half a loops of Hoan Kiem Lake towards Temple of Literature, pit-stopping at a quaint coffee shop for a foot rest. How cute they call what looks just like french baguette a special Vietnamese bread.
Side note: you really have to pay attention while walking on the street because there seems to be a lot of poop randomly lying everywhere. Scary part is, I don't think it's all doggy poop.
We finally reached the Temple of Literature after taking the wrong turn, which actually took us a loop around the whole park before finding the main entrance. It's a really cool place - the first university in Vietnam. 1070, it also makes the place real old. Covered all over with Chinese characters, it's hard to believe people here used to study chinese...and a bit confusing how it went from that to the current Vietnamese.
(Main entrance - does make me kind of forget that I'm in Vietnam!)
(These stones listed the ones who made the cut during those days of 'Examination For Government Jobs' - quite impressive how well-kept they are!)
Another side note: Touristy places usually have an entrance fee of 30,000 dong. Do keep small change like 1,000 dong for toilet fees.
Tummy calls led us to our next destination: Quan An Ngon. What a brilliant place to try all kinds of Vietnamese food. The familiar pho and spring rolls are must-orders. You can also see them cook up these meals as all the 'kitchens' surround the sides of the restaurant to give it a real authentic street-food feel. If you don't know what to eat but definitely something local, drop by this place. You'll surely find something fitting.
(Pho with well-done beef and shrimp/pork spring rolls - YUM!)
(They have a top 10 Vietnamese dishes to try, too! If only I had three stomach or came with 2 more friends, then we can order ALL!)
(You can see all the food being cooked - open kitchen it is!)
(Dropped by the famous prison - aka Prison Hilton - where loads of history took place. I'm not sure if it were because I've been to too many of these kinds of places that I felt a bit numb, but you can see how brutal the locals were treated by the French. Which does make me wonder - how do the locals feel about French tourists?)
By then, we were really just looking forward to a nice shower because I think I had sweat through my t-shirt more than once. Even I couldn't stand that smell...yes, at least I admit it. So hotel it was. After walking over 11,000 steps, I definitely deserve a hot shower and foot spa...which is how we're going to wind down tonight after dinner!
Dinner at Green Tangerine - now, that's an exquisite dining experience. With an Old English exterior in my favourite turquoise dressing, dabbed with greens to create a garden feel. Romantic, check. The food is said to be European with a Vietnamese twist in flavor.
(What a beautiful place to have dinner, eh?)
(I can't remember the name of this dish but it had fish, spinach & passion fruit - can't go wrong with that combo!)
And no wonder, I was just told that this building was built in 1928! They sure kept it well. Though, I will have to warn you, the menu is European Vietnamese; the bill is European with an average of 450,000 dong a dish. If you plan to have a special dinner during your stay in Hanoi, you can dine here. It'll definitely make the night.
Spent the night getting a foot spa - coffee scrub - and manicure. Except my nail polish as usual smudged before it officially dried. Oh wells, knew that would happen because I can't keep my hands put. But, this does make me want to use my pink ones at home.
(Chillax time while having coffee scrub!)
Anyways, off to lala land!
Tomorrow, Ha Long Bay.
Tomorrow, Ha Long Bay.