We were up at 7 so we had an hour to get ready- shower and pack up. That would leave us an hour for breakfast. I got up a little early,showered and had time for two cups of coffee before we went down for breakfast. Good start to the morning!
Bruce had his favourite banana pancakes with chocolate syrup and ginger tea. I had bread and laughing cow cheese and a mango shake. Delicious.We settled the bill and then before we left the owner presented us with a gift. Two cups with warmers.... cool! The luggage was in the car and we were just about to get in when I remembered we had not got our passports back from the reception. A different woman was at the desk when Bruce paid as the owner was out buying our gifts. Close call!
The taxi guy was right on time and off we went. We arrived at the airport 40 minutes too early to check in. Boo hoo. They only allow check in two hours before departure. But the check in girl was a sweetheart and checked us in and said she would put our luggage on the belt at the right time.
We went through security and had lots of time to spare. At the end of the departure hall was a large sign: Fresh Beer. So, even though it was 10:00 Bruce decided to have a Tiger.
Bruce had his favourite banana pancakes with chocolate syrup and ginger tea. I had bread and laughing cow cheese and a mango shake. Delicious.We settled the bill and then before we left the owner presented us with a gift. Two cups with warmers.... cool! The luggage was in the car and we were just about to get in when I remembered we had not got our passports back from the reception. A different woman was at the desk when Bruce paid as the owner was out buying our gifts. Close call!
The taxi guy was right on time and off we went. We arrived at the airport 40 minutes too early to check in. Boo hoo. They only allow check in two hours before departure. But the check in girl was a sweetheart and checked us in and said she would put our luggage on the belt at the right time.
We went through security and had lots of time to spare. At the end of the departure hall was a large sign: Fresh Beer. So, even though it was 10:00 Bruce decided to have a Tiger.
On the way to the airport, this bridge in Da Nang is a dragon ... Cool
We played a few games of cards to waste some time and then switched to Scrabble. Flight was on time...and in fact a 1.5 hour flight made it in 1 hour. Amazing! We collected our luggage and once again there was a guy holding a sign with my name on it. Away we went..... I love how you pass rice fields while you are on a freeway - such a contrast. Some pics enroute.
We passed this amazing mosaic mural for a long time..... it is amazing. I had to check out about it....
Stretching 3.95 kilometers, along Hanoi's Red River, Ceramic Road has been declared the world’s longest ceramic mural, by the Guinness Book of Records.
Ceramic Road was a massive art project, initiated by artist Nguyen Thu Thuy, out of love and passion for Hanoi, and as a special way to celebrate the city’s 1000th anniversary in 2010. Nguyen Thu Thuy reached out to fellow Vietnamese, as well as international artists for help in realizing her dream, and mural masters from all around the world started coming to Hanoi, to leave their mark on Ceramic Road. Some created contemporary design patterns, others used Vietnam’s history as inspiration, and even recreated famous paintings out of ceramic tiles. Nearly 100 artists, from countries like Mexico, Brazil, France, Denmark and many others participated in the creation of Ceramic Road.
It is cool outside - like 19 C. It feels wonderful....no sweating. We arrived at the hotel about one hour later. Of course the hotel is in a little alley where only pedestrians and the odd motorbike can travel. Right across the way is a BAKERY called Joma.
Stretching 3.95 kilometers, along Hanoi's Red River, Ceramic Road has been declared the world’s longest ceramic mural, by the Guinness Book of Records.
Ceramic Road was a massive art project, initiated by artist Nguyen Thu Thuy, out of love and passion for Hanoi, and as a special way to celebrate the city’s 1000th anniversary in 2010. Nguyen Thu Thuy reached out to fellow Vietnamese, as well as international artists for help in realizing her dream, and mural masters from all around the world started coming to Hanoi, to leave their mark on Ceramic Road. Some created contemporary design patterns, others used Vietnam’s history as inspiration, and even recreated famous paintings out of ceramic tiles. Nearly 100 artists, from countries like Mexico, Brazil, France, Denmark and many others participated in the creation of Ceramic Road.
It is cool outside - like 19 C. It feels wonderful....no sweating. We arrived at the hotel about one hour later. Of course the hotel is in a little alley where only pedestrians and the odd motorbike can travel. Right across the way is a BAKERY called Joma.
We checked in... the host gave us a map and showed up where the interesting spots were. We went up to the room ... very nice....a little corner with a sink and small fridge... a huge bed (2 doubles) and a single, a desk with a computer on it...no kidding- fairly slow and an illegal copy of Windows 7, but I am typing this on it (even though it stalls and almost crashes every couple of minutes).
There is also a very nice bathroom- glass door shower...with a rain shower and hand held, a 32 inch flat screen TV. We are set!
So, off we went to have a late lunch at the bakery. Bruce ordered a maccichino and a reuben sandwich and I had a chicken and veggie sandwich on rye and a Vietnamese coffee. Delicious!
Then we decided to explore a little - a little because the map of the area was in the room. Of course you might have guessed we did all right for awhile but then ventured a little farther and soon did not really know how to get home.
A coffee shop
Love these ceramic Vietnamese coffee cups- note they have them in lime green and only $100 000 dong ... Will soon be mine!
We asked several people...no one knew the street, of course not because it is a little alley. We found the liquor store a second time so we went in and behold they had box wine from Chile- Savignon Cabernet. Even though the price is almost the same as it is at home we bought it (350 000 dong). Finally, we went to a hotel,used their WiFi, and brought it up on Google Maps...we were 9 minutes walking from the hotel.
So we stopped at a place we had seen hours earlier (we walked for almost three hours) for something to eat. For when we find the hotel we will be finished for today. I had the beef, caper, and tomato on pasta and Bruce had the beef steak and seafood with roast potatoes. We also ordered garlic toast....but it turned to dust when you bit it...so not so good.
Mine
Mine
Bruce's
Sure enough Google maps got us home. The hotel has beautiful wine glasses- so we are set.
Ceramic Road looks amazing!!
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