They say first impressions count and my first impression of Hanoi was of two wheeled transportation. Honda mopeds everywhere carrying an assortment of riders and cargoes. Crates and crates of drinks, cages with puppies (yes, for the pot I am afraid!), parents with 2 kids, piles of wood, televisions, and a multitude of Ken Dodd tickle sticks (feather dusters for those of you unfamiliar with the King of Knotty Ash!) just a few examples.
Second impression was of the multitude of roadside eateries and the ‘very close to the ground’ stools that the patrons were sitting on and that I was soon going to experience! As the driver got closer to the hotel the crowds of bikers and pedestrians increased significantly. The hotel was tucked into a quiet corner of the ‘Old Quarter’ and was on a very narrow and quietish street – but even that did not stop a constant stream of tooting mopeds weaving their way down the alley like street.
Third impression was a good one, the hotel staff were simply great. They made a real effort to make me feel welcome. Many smiles too which was nice but as I was soon to find out, not everyone had a smile for me!
The hotel had only been open 5 months so it still felt shiny and new. The room was very narrow (like nearly all the buildings in the old quarter) and there was only about 20 cm from the end of the bed to the wall but there was a shoulder room issue as there was a flat screen TV bolted to the wall – in three days I only stubbed my toes against the wall once! As I am beginning to learn, having an exterior window in a hotel room (even one only 5 months old) is not a certainty in Vietnam. There was the tiniest amount of a view but at least they had put some nice bamboo plants (plastic ones) on the wall outside the window! What was a surprise was the computer in the room with free internet access (UK hotels could learn from this!). The huge bowl of fresh fruit (replenished daily) was a nice touch too.
Dinner that night was a case of looking to see what the locals were eating and then much pointing and animal impressions with the waiter to get an order placed. It seemed to work pretty well except the chicken drumsticks came from very small chickens that had run many marathons (a tad tough to chew!). The local beer helped wash down the chicken and noodles and the US$2 bill was a pleasant surprise. I have got to work out this beer on ice thing though!
Got to sleep OK that night and no sleeping tablet this time!
Second impression was of the multitude of roadside eateries and the ‘very close to the ground’ stools that the patrons were sitting on and that I was soon going to experience! As the driver got closer to the hotel the crowds of bikers and pedestrians increased significantly. The hotel was tucked into a quiet corner of the ‘Old Quarter’ and was on a very narrow and quietish street – but even that did not stop a constant stream of tooting mopeds weaving their way down the alley like street.
Third impression was a good one, the hotel staff were simply great. They made a real effort to make me feel welcome. Many smiles too which was nice but as I was soon to find out, not everyone had a smile for me!
The hotel had only been open 5 months so it still felt shiny and new. The room was very narrow (like nearly all the buildings in the old quarter) and there was only about 20 cm from the end of the bed to the wall but there was a shoulder room issue as there was a flat screen TV bolted to the wall – in three days I only stubbed my toes against the wall once! As I am beginning to learn, having an exterior window in a hotel room (even one only 5 months old) is not a certainty in Vietnam. There was the tiniest amount of a view but at least they had put some nice bamboo plants (plastic ones) on the wall outside the window! What was a surprise was the computer in the room with free internet access (UK hotels could learn from this!). The huge bowl of fresh fruit (replenished daily) was a nice touch too.
Dinner that night was a case of looking to see what the locals were eating and then much pointing and animal impressions with the waiter to get an order placed. It seemed to work pretty well except the chicken drumsticks came from very small chickens that had run many marathons (a tad tough to chew!). The local beer helped wash down the chicken and noodles and the US$2 bill was a pleasant surprise. I have got to work out this beer on ice thing though!
Got to sleep OK that night and no sleeping tablet this time!
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