Hanoi
The first thing you notice in Hanoi is the motorbikes. I discovered why they toot their horns, constantly...it's because you have to toot to overtake and if you have an accident and you didn't toot...the accident is your fault! Staying in the Hotel Metropole was a true highlight of this trip. Categorised as a Legend Hotel, the Metropole ooses history, luxury, and 5 star service. Perfectly positioned in the French Quarter guests of the hotel are treated to an exclusive tour within the hotel to the bomb shelter used during the Christmas 1972 bombings in Hanoi. It's a heartwrenching reminder of the terrible consequences of war. Again my guide from Trails of Indochina (Thang) very invaluable, giving us a whole day tour of the city which included the old town, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (I know, but it was really inetresting!), and the university which has stood for thousands of years. A very kind and simple people (the one's I met), Hanoi gives you an insight into how communism might have worked...but not quite.