Happy in Hanoi - DAY ONE

October 3, 2011

An early morning flight from Bangkok brought us into Hanoi and the hotel before 11am.   We took a quick rest, then headed to lunch New Day Restaurant - which quickly became our favorite!

You have the opportunity to point and choose in the kitchen and/or order off the menu.  We usually did both, but Donna enjoyed the picking of meat dishes.  Mostly pork.

My choice of sauteed tofu.

This was a great pork with coconut - those french fry looking things.

Nothing surprising, noodles and vegetables.

Donna's pho.

Hanoi Elite Hotel

Our Hanoi Kids Volunteer tourguide, Hang met us at our hotel, set a plan and headed to the Literature Museum, which is more like a university campus, nicely manicured with plenty of areas to contemplate literature.

The long pathway took us through several temple gates, telling the story of transitions, education, strength and growth.

These young women were dressed in typical Vietnamese
formal dress in celebration of their college graduation.

The turtle is a well respected animal in the
Vietnamese culture.  Usually the one to carry
the load for others! 

Incredible urn chock full of symbolism...

and detail...

The story of the Flamingo and the Turtle is depicted throughout this temple.  Out of stability and friendship the turtle offers to uphold the tired flamingo slowly traveling the waters.  It's a tale that is often told in literature in several cultures.

Water puppet theater is very well known in Hanoi.

This Ho Chi Minh statement was surprising and delightful to read.  The Vietnamese place high value on education. 

Incense offering

I'm impressed with the value the Vietnamese people place on education!  Hang shared many of her personal and family values, aspirations and interests.  She is incredibly knowledgeable with excellent english language skills.  Hanoi Kids Volunteers require  3 distinct interviews in the selection process to become a volunteers:  history, personality and language skills. She fits all three perfectly.

I highly RECOMMEND this service should visiting Hanoi be in your future!

Drive around the lake with views of Hanoi, life along the lake.  Fishermen, walkers, runners, folks relaxing and socializing.

A Mosaic wall was constructed and sponsored by various Vietnamese companies celebrating one thousand years.  Here are a few shots of the wall ~ it spanned several miles so I tried to choose the best shots for your enjoyment!