[Travel] 5D4N to Hanoi - DAY 3

Pho Thin

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/wxyVQGNc6Wo

Not sure if this is the right famous one as google maps does show another one further away. This looked very old school with only locals around so I thought i'd give it a try.

Price wise surprisingly expensive for such a dingy place. 50000VND. The taste? Did not blow me away. It is a good bowl of pho but I have tested stronger beefier noodles in Penang. Maybe that is my preference, I just prefer strong beef taste in the soup. Pho is more of a weaker taste, mixed with some Vietnamese herbs.

A Walk Around Hanoi
It feels to me that we can probably see Hanoi in just a day or two. We walked around Hanoi for a day and pretty much covered most of the major places.

I dunno why, but I LOLed

Yes, shithole

Escape route. Or as those who watched Initial D know, longkang running style (hang kui pau fat)

US Senator John McCain was prisoner here.

Quan An Ngon
Website : http://ngonhanoi.com.vn/index.php/en

Quan An Ngon has multiple branches in Vietnam. This place seems to be a collection of most if not all Vietnamese cuisine. Tastes great as well. The selections are really, really extensive.

Continue Walking Around Hanoi
Love just walking around in a foreign country, just taking in the different sights and cultures.

Young Coffee
Website : Young Coffee FB

Lovely place! I really like the iced coffee here. Nutty, chocolatey awesome Vietnamese coffee. And very affordable (20000 - 25000 VND).

Water Puppet Theatre

I think this should be a must see. I have not heard of this anywhere else. A nice experience. Be warned it is in Vietnamese.

Xoi Yen
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/JxzUNEXnWgs

Glutinous rice with pork. Whats not to love? nice savory rice topped with I think pork lard? It was like a velvety mash potato with slight pork taste. The fried onion really adds wonderful aroma to it. Try the pork pate as it works really well with the rice. Highly recommended

Banh Mi Hoi An
Website : Banh Mi Hoi An FB

Super awesome banh mi. Bread is crunchy outside and soft inside. The ingredients are wonderfully flavored and balanced. And just enough so it fits my mouth. It was easy to bite and each bite full of flavor. Awesome!

For DAY 1 and the trip itinerary click HERE

[Travel] 5D4N to Hanoi - DAY 2

Ha Long Bay Cruise
We booked the tour from : http://vietuniquetours.com/
We took a day cruise to Ha Long Bay. The trip from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay was about 3 to 4 hours. So pretty much most of the day is already gone travelling.
We were picked up around 8am from our hotel and we arrived for lunch at about 12pm. In between we had a short stop at a souvenir store. No pushy sales people here so don't worry. Guide was friendly, tipping not required.

The boat was like a restaurant with tables and chairs for dining. The food was simple. Nothing worth mentioning.
Overall the cruise was a pleasant one. The views of limestone hills in the sea was great. Somehow it just looks to me like Ipoh if it was flooded with water.

We stopped for a 30min kayak session. Around the kayak area was a floating village Basically just people staying on boats. I do wonder how they go to the toilet. Do they go directly to sea? Will I see floaters around while kayaking? Anyway it wasn't a full blown village, as most have already relocated.
The kayaking area is nice. As we pass through the limestone tunnels, we emerge in a beautiful lagoon surrounded by limestone hills. The guide mentioned a James Bond movie was filmed here. I liked the kayak session, however it does feel a bit rushed as I prefer to just relax and take my time being in nature.

Next the cruise brought us to a cave. I don't really like caves. All we do is go in the cave then the guide tells you what some formations look like. Elephants, jellyfish etc. To me it really likes staring clouds and imagining shapes. Is it really that amazing? I can make some shit up as well.

New Day Restaurant
Website : http://newdayrestaurant.com/

Holy crap, the amount of vege they put on the noodles is insane. Taste wise it's pretty good. Not amazing. Tastes like noodles cooked in oyster sauce.

For DAY 1 and the trip itinerary click HERE