In Hanoi...

Hi guys! I'm currently back in the backpackers' for a breather, and I reckon at this time no much people will be in and hogging the free net access.

First, I'm a millionaire for the first time of my life. USD150 got me 2, 406, 000 Vietnamese Dong, ho ho ho... So USD1 gives you about 16,000 dong, you math on the prices.

Yesterday, I arrived in Hanoi at around 8.30 local time (Hanoi is one hour behind Singapore). Got lost trying to figure out how to locate the airport shuttle service. When I manage to get into one it's aready 9.30, and i was alone. The shuttle bus didnt filled up (yes, then they will leave) till it was ten past 10 or something. Alright, other locals are paying 30,000 dong for their ride and i paid 50,000 for mine. When i understand from the guidebooks is that there're a couple tier of prices.

When i got into the city, i got lost. Hence took motorcycle taxi to get to my destination at a fee of 5,000, still a fair deal compared to USD10 for a taxi or USD14 for a private transfer.

Got upgraded to a twin room at a hotel next door due to them being fully booked, i met my first fellow back packer. Corey is from Canada, just quitted his job as a teacher in California. Will be doing his Phd next year, and he just came back from Sabah after a two weeks stint.

Had late supper of the you-cannot-miss 'pho' at a roadside stall at 15,000 dong.

Worked up, had brekky at the backpackers' and off i go. Walked to the Hoan Kiem Lake and walk about. Paid 3,000 to enter the some what little museum and took some pics. Afterwards, wandered about. I was on foot for a good hour a least, walked back and forth where the street people either stared at me look at me alittle amused. Just as i wanted to give up and hail a motor cycle taxi to visit the Hanoi Prison, I was just outside it. Went in at a fee of 5,000 dong and relive the Vietnamese war.

Shall stop here, will be hitting the streets for lunch and prepare for my side trip to Sapa tonight for two days.

Thoughts of the day - Getting lost is common and it's really fun, enjoying every bit.

Take care peeps.....................................................