Walking around Hanoi has a similar vibe as walking around Divisoria. It’s a maze of narrow and crowded streets but each turn has a pleasant surprise to those seeking for an adventure. It can be a nice cozy coffee shop in the corner or great local food at the sidewalk.
Here are the photos I took while walking around Hanoi, Vietnam. This was mostly taken around Old Quarter and near the Hoan Kiem Lake.
While in Halong Bay, our tour guide told us that some islets would resemble a bird. Another a butterfly. The others will resemble a cat, a mansion, or a bell. The islets can look like an animal, a jewelry, or a structure.
I stared at each rock that seem to have risen from the sea. The rocks doesn’t resemble anything at all.
What I see instead are the irregular cracks painfully etched on its surface. I see the random arrangement of small trees that the rocks carry with a burden. I see the eroded base where the water have hammered for years.
I can’t see any resemblance of a colorful bird, a graceful butterfly or a precious jewel.
It’s just like how we see ourselves in the mirror.
We only see the cracks in our faces, our burdened shoulders or our eroded spirits.
But for others, they are be able to see that we are beautiful.
Like a bird.
Like a butterfly.
Like a jewel.
The Halong Bay cruise is the perfect race-cation. After running the 21K at the Halong Bay International Heritage Marathon, the tour package included an overnight stay in a cruise ship in Halong Bay.
I was just mesmerized by Halong Bay. The different islets are beautiful. And there is something calm and peaceful to be in the middle of the sea, aboard a quiet and slow moving vessel.
I stayed at the top deck most of the time to witness the beautiful scenery. Every angle is just Instagram-worthy.
Enough for words. Let these photos speak for themselves.
We asked our tour guide on tips on how to navigate the traffic in Hanoi by foot. He gave us three options.
How to cross the street?
Option 1. Close your eyes. Just walk and pray.
Option 2. Wear shades and use a stick while crossing the street. The vehicles will avoid you.
Option 3. Fly if you can.
Another suggestion from one of our companions is to wait for the locals to cross the street and walk along with them.
Quang told us that when he was taught how to drive, he was given one rule: Don’t hit anybody.
That was very comforting.
Here are my first impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam. I did very little research on the place except for the running event I will be joining on Sunday. So it will be another adventure…
1. Modern infrastructures are rising. The airport is big, clean and organized. The highways are very wide. Not many skyscrapers… yet.
2. I’m staying at the Old Quarter area. The roads are smaller now. Last night, it was quiet and peaceful. But this morning, the roads are crowded with motorcycles.
3. Motorcycles rule the roads here in Old Quarter. They just zip past the intersection even if a car or a person is crossing the street. They are not that fast but you have to be alert.
4. I arrived at 2:00 in the morning and the hotel had their front door chained from the inside! No kidding. It was locked with chains! I wonder why it has to be that secured. Now, I’m having second thoughts staying late at night around Hanoi. 😛
5. I went inside a stationary store. They have nice notebooks, pens and art materials. Among the designs are references to the war. They seem to be very proud of this part of their history.
6. I love the houses here. They are narrow and tall. One house would look like blocks stacked on top of each other. Each floor would have a different design from the other floors.
7. Where are the fast foods? I haven’t seen McDonald’s or KFC yet. No Jollibee too?
8. 30+Mbps wifi!!! I think I will love it here.
It’s my first time to visit Vietnam. I’ll be running a half marathon at the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon on Sunday.
I had my Philippine Peso changed to Vietnamese Dong. With the current conversion rate, I should be getting 4 Million Dong!!!
However, the money changer only have 3.5 Million Dong.
I complained!
“All my life I dreamed of holding 4 Million in my hands and you are half a million short!”
Life is unfair.