Along Truc Bach Lake we found a flock of forlorn swan boats with creepy eyes and eyelashes.
So many swan boats!
Some strange floating restaurants. They were all closed due to winter.
A few swan boats out on a dock for repair.
Thang Long Royal Citadel
At the edge of the Thang Long Royal Citadel is the old Flag Tower. Even today, it still flies the flag of Vietnam.
An important fellow.
Barb wire from the old days.
Big tree-lined boulevard.
Into the Thang Long Royal Citadel.
Old military equipment left over from the recent unpleasantness with the United States of America.
The main building from times long ago.
Big bell.
Steph really wanted to ring the bell.
Famous dragon stairs.
Inside the museum.
A map of attack plans from the recent troubles with the USA.
In the room where the big shots planned how to kick out the French, the Americans, and a few other countries as well.
The stairs down to the bunkers.
Through double blast doors.
Old radio equipment from the Soviet Union.
Small staircase!
An old citadel gate.
Up above the gate.
An interesting window screen made out of rock.
An old piece of equipment from the recent American problems.
A phone used to call in orders to field commanders.
The man himself, Ho Chi Minh.
Another big bell.
A really neat water feature.
Old and new together.
Hanoi Shambling
Upon arriving in Hanoi, Vietnam after our flight from Malaysia, we hit the streets to see the sights.
There were motorbikes everywhere.
A monument recognizing the reunification of Vietnam.
A vegetable salesperson.
An outdoor eatery.
We found a cafe in which to eat.
Language barrier? No problem! They just brought us some Pho to eat and it was good.
An odd load on a motorbike.
Haphazard construction.
Another outdoor eatery.
Roadside business.
Another outdoor eatery. This guy is cooking meat on some bucket grilles.
Motorbike parking. There was an attendant working the area making sure bikes got to their proper owners.
Carrying produce.
Outdoor sales.
A pots and pans and other things shop.
Bulk foods.
Millions of dried shrimp.
Clothes market.
The strawberries looked pretty good.
Christmas decorations for sale.
Flower shop.
An out-of-place Christmas tree.
This place makes metal cages and other metal things.
Another metal thing store.
Birds in bird cages.
More outdoor eateries.
Outdoor dishes.
A side alleyway. The doors all have ramps going up to them for motorbikes to ride up for nighttime storage.
Lots and lots of balloons.
A Catholic church from the days of French occupation.
Boys playing soccer in front of a statue of someone famous.
An excellent way to mark off an open manhole.
Steph looking out our hotel room window over Hanoi.
This shop specializes in making fake paintings. No clue why someone in Vietnam would want a painting of a European.
Steph eating lunch.
An old city gate.
A military installation that I probably wasn’t supposed to photograph.
Random jet aircraft from the American troubles.
A temple in a lake.
Don’t forget this guy! He is important.