Day 83 March 26, 2016 PART 2 of the SPECIAL EVENT in Hanoii Vietnam on the Opulence of the Orient

Well we were up by 6 am had a beautiful buffet breakfast and on our Bus by 7:45.  Our first stop was to go to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh.  He died in 1969 and still lies in State.  Bob went into the mausoleum and I chose not too,  It was an hour of waiting time.  Everyone had  to Q the lines of security even if you do not go in. I cannot image someone that was embalmed for that length of time.

Waiting in line for an hour.  Getting restless...

Yes this large wide street is completely blocked off and no ones walks on it...

From here we went around the corner to the Palace and the grounds of where Ho Chi Minh lived. The grounds are very beautiful with lots of buildings and his cars are still parked in the garage.

After this we walked around back to where he lived and worked since 1954

They all love him in this country.  They all call him Uncle Ho

After this area we went to a Museum of Ethnology

Bob climbing the stairs to the Bahnar Cummunal house it is the symbol of skill, strength, and power of the men.  

After this guess what time to eat again.....Vietnamese food  yummy local food.  You know what they say "When in Rome do what the Romans do"  We are... thank you

Modern Hanoi has an increasing confident "Can do" attitude about everything and a buzz that is even beginning to rival Ho Chi Minh City.  There's more money about

now a days and wealthier Hanoian's are prepared to flaunt it in the ever more sophisticated restaurants, café's and designer boutiques that have exploded all over the city.

Our last stop of the day was to the famous "Hanoi Hilton".  This was a bit depressing.  We saw the actual gullitin and the Jail chambers. 

 

 Guess what yes the real Hotel Hilton built right next door

This man was so excited to get his pictures taken, That he wanted me in it with him.  So he put on a hat and a smile.  He giggled when we showed him the picture

So back to the ship where we were 2 hours late but yes this was a special event for the ATW passengers.  The cruise director was there to meet us when we got back to the tender.

Thanks for coming with us   Leslee & Bob