Hanoi -- The Paris of the Orient

I finally arrived in Hanoi 33 hours after leaving Austin(including 11 hours of layovers) -- a little longer than expected! The 14-hr flight from LAX to Hong Kong turned out to be 15+ due to some strong head winds which led to a missed connection to Hanoi and a 6-hr layover..  Fortunately, Cathay Pacific gave me a voucher for a room and breakfast at the Regal Airport Hotel.  It was all I could do not to fall asleep in that very tempting bed!  If I had dared to lie down, I would probably still be asleep! I think caffeine kept me going, but I decided even that wasn't working when I poured a packet in my coffee on the last flight and realized I'd salted it instead ---ugh!

This trip is the result of an invitation to me and other travels around the country from Asia Transpacific Journeys, a wonderful company that organized my first group here and many other trips to Asia. Driving in from the airport I began to see changes. The outlying areas are much more developed and less rural and the heavy bicycle traffic has been replaced by some cars and MANY motorbikes. We are staying in the Hotel Movenpick, a lovely property situated very close to the Historic District.

After a quick shower, I joined our group at the Madam Hien Restaurant, a beautifully renovated French colonial building in the heart of the Old Quarter. I didn't realized until we got there that this is the same restaurant we ate at 10 years ago. The Vietnamese food was still delicious. Even tho some things have changed, there are others that haven't.


Tomorrow is a full day with touring to major sites in Hanoi and some special surprises in the evening. I don't expect any problems sleeping tonight!
Linda

Vietnam - A Return Journey

It's been almost 10 years, but I'm on my way back to Vietnam, a country I first visited in November 2001 right after 9/11. Plans were already in place to take a small group of about 12 people to Vietnam when 9/11 shook the world and, especially the travel industry.  I truly expected most of the group to cancel as a large percentage of my clients did cancel their travel plans for the fall of that year.  Much to my surprise only one couple canceled and that was due to health issues. We spent 11 days touring the country from Saigon (still called that by  the locals) to Hanoi.  It was a wonderful trip and, probably, one of the most educational I've ever taken.

This  evening I depart Austin on a nonstop flight to LAX, have a 5-hr layover, board Cathay Pacific and fly 14 1/2 hrs to Hong Kong.  Two hours later I'll be on another flight, arriving in Hanoi at 9:30am Saturday morning(crossing the international date will lose a day).  Cathay Pacific is a wonderful airline, and I'm sure I'll be treated royally, even in my economy seat.  

In 2001 Richard and I found Vietnam to be a beautiful country with extremely warm and welcoming people.  I don't expect that to have changed, but I'm sure there will be many other changes.  I can't wait to return!

More from Hanoi on Saturday.

Linda