Saturday, September 24
It has been raining all night and it was still raining when we got up at 6 o'clock in the morning, so there were no pictures taken on the way back to Hanoi. We had the first stop at the Power Plant in Hoa Binh. When it was built in 1969, it could supply the entire North Vietnam with power. It's "The Black River" that was dammed. There were many families who may be forcibly removed because their homes and fields would be flooded. On the outskirts of Hanoi, we were stopped by police in a routine check; papers in the car should be fine. It was a long routine check. We stopped at Khoas home, was greeted on his wife Man and his two children, Minh Chau 10 years old, and the youngest Ngoc Bich, a very lively girl of 4 years. They live in a small apartment in an old estate waiting to be redeveloped. Khoa is pleased location, close to 2 lakes. We ate lunch with the family and our driver. We got the "Hot Pot" which is the most popular dish in Vietnam. We had different chores after we had gotten our rooms. We were invited out to Houng, staying close to the trendy district of Royal City. Houng directed us in the taxi via cell phone, the trip took a long time and there was heavy traffic. Hoang live in an old neighborhood with narrow streets. When the taxi could go no further, Houng fetched us and we went on foot a little. Then the alleys narrow and flooded to the ankles. Therefore, she drove us one after the last piece of the back of his motorcycle, so we did not get wet footwear. Houng had made a fine, tasty dinner with many dishes. She had been using her boyfriend's sister, she also lives with. A long day was over. We must turn up early tomorrow and cycling in Hanoi.
Khoa and his youngest daughter
Henning and Lis discuss how to make Hot Pot
Plush evening meal which Houng and her roommate had prepared
Houngs flatmate and Peter
Henning with grand gestures
Dorte and Lis
Houng make spring rolls to us by individual choice
Sunday, September 25
So was it again on bike ride - the Mausoleum of Lis, John, Peter and me. Dorte got a taxi. I drove as I usually bicycle parking where we usually go in, but because of the Ho Chi Minh is in Moscow, there is another procedure. We therefore had difficulty finding Dorte. Eventually we decided to go the long way to Dorte. I knew about where she was. When we after a long vandrertur got there, phoned Amy that she was where we had just been. There were many unfortunate circumstances that crashed down on us. What can you learn from it, never to be separated on the way to the mausoleum. We were however seen Ho Chi Minh's official residence, the park, the cars he has driven in and the great museum of his reign. Then got Dorte a taxi to the "Literature Museum", and all of us cycled. We ate at "KoTo" restaurant, and then went into the Literature Temple, the old university from 1000 century rebuilt many times. We saw the many stone turtles with inscription board on the back. On the boards are summaries, who have passed through the various professors (a total of 82 boards with the names of about 1300 students, who studied at the individual professors in the period around 1400-1700). Previously, the tradition, the students applauded the turtles on the head before the exam to gain wisdom and luck. It has now been forced to put fencing around the turtles, so people can not reach their heads, when they were very worn. We saw the many "Mandarins," which stood for the operation of the university. The university started just after Emperor Ly moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Ha Noi in 1010th Originally he called the capital "Tang Long" and only in 1700 was renamed Ha Noi, which means "the rising dragon". Now it was time for relaxation before the party on "Little Ha Noi" at. 20th "Little Ha Noi" had made a very nice menu with many exciting dishes - in abundance. Smedemester Thang and his wife Hong had three children, he is one of my oldest acquaintances in Ha Noi. From Vietnam Travel were three guests. Oanh had a friend with, Phung had a friend with a cute young girl of 25 years. On the way back to the hotel, we walked through many venues, but there was no one who felt attracted by the loud music. Kl. 23 is the end, great for us, but maybe not for young people. There will be catered to local residents. I sit now and write about the day's activities.
The one-legged pagoda
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
More about Ho Chi Minh
Peter fell for a tiny crocheted turtle
Entertainment with traditional musical instruments
Henning got a personally Happy Water for his party
Stone turtle with smooth pate of many hands
Two former kings
Graduated students photographed in the Temple of Literature
Oanh Le in celebration in Hanoi