Anyway,
The date was 31st January 2015, Saturday.
Boarded on plane with flight code AK516 at 6.00am for 6.15am flight, but delayed until 6.50am because of technical problem. But it went all smooth. The flight duration was approximately 3 hours++. As soon as we arrived in Hanoi airspace, there were mists everywhere. Could not see anything until we touched down at Noi Bai International Airport. Then we realized that Hanoi is having winter time. Well I actually knew that Hanoi is cold at this time around with 15 degree celsius but didn't expect that mist everywhere! We booked a taxi to transfer from airport to our hotel in Hanoi for USD15. So a lot of guys with signboard names at the arrival hall. Couldn't find my name. The airport is new and realized that there were two arrival halls. Get our taxi guy and hopped into the left hand driver car.
From airport to Hanoi Old Quarter area takes about 30 minutes. In the city there were a lot of motorcycles and electric bicycles on the road plus a lot of honking going on. I was feeling a bit stressful because in KL the traffic is hectic but this was worst than KL. Anyway, we arrived at Hanoi City Hostel in Hang Ga street which was booked through Agoda.com for price of around USD19 per night for 3 person room. The room we've got is quite nice. With wifi, nice bed, all good except for the outside noise. Rest for awhile then we went out to explore Hanoi.
First thing first according to my friend, a local simcard. So he bought a local simcard which costs about VND100k. What I understand it was a 600mb internet and will go slow after it reaches limit capacity. And it really helps because we can use it for map so we dont have to use guide and waste our time looking somethings everywhere.
Next, we went to Masjid An-Noor and there was a halal restaurant next to it. The masjid was located at Hang Luoc street. Need to alert with green coloured masjid. At that time the masjid is doing some renovation so not able to perform prayers in masjid during that time. So we went to the restaurant. There were 3 tables and we were the only people in there, so we ordered nasi goreng, it was quite okay. They served vegetable soup and bananas with plain water at first. The soup is quite delicious I would say even when I'm writing this saliva is building in my mouth hahahaha. Anyway, the main course is not bad as well, but the price tag is definitely expensive. After awhile, more people came to the restaurant, Malaysians. We had some conversations with them about Hanoi and Halong Bay, but they told that when walk around in the market, their bag has been torn with some kind of knife. Luckily the bag is empty. So have to be careful, she said.
We continued to roam around the city. We went to the famous Hoàn Kiếm lake. There is a temple at the lake, named Ngoc Son which was built in small island and connected with a red coloured bridge. There is also a small island with a building in middle of the lake, public can't access to it. Only can see from far. To enter the Ngoc Son temple have to pay VND30k for normal and VND15k for students. So we paid VND30k although there was attempt to pay as student.. Anyway, it was not that bad, but the view blocked by trees in the temple. There was also a giant turtle sculpture inside of the temple.
After a while we continued to walk around the lake. At that time there were people doing some gardening because apparently there will be an anniversary celebration of the ruling party in 3 days. We went to a travel agent at Cau Go street, and found a good deal. Mr Thien, offered us a package to Halong Bay, for 3 days 2 nights for around 80USD, sleep in the boat and sleep in Cat Ba Island. We searched in the internet most of them are around USD100. Plus we also booked a hotel room for as low as USD15 after the Halong Bay trip because I only booked for one night in Hanoi, then a taxi to transfer from hotel to the airport for USD10! Bargain.
So we keep walking everywhere. We found an old cathedral in the city, coffee shops, backpack shops, etc. until Ho Chi Minh museum but it was closed at that time. Also near is One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where parade will take place. We found that there is public toilet around there which will costs you VND2k per entry, and it is clean.
Then we walked back to our hostel at Ministry of Defense offices. It took about close to one hour to reach to our hostel. Back at the hostel, rest for awhile, went out again to look for dinner. We went to Little India restaurant in Hang Tre street, not far away from our hostel. About 15 minutes walk. We ordered Malaysian food because not much local food in the menu. We tapau some food for our trip to Halong Bay because halal food is very limited in Halong. When we did the booking at travel agent we have to opted for vegetarian foods.
Walk back to hostel and have pleasant sleep while my mate was watching English footie on TV..
....to be continued
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