Hanoi a first look

So we moved to Hanoi Phil to start work on the 24th of February and me back and forth but finally here around the 7th of March.  Our Hanoi time started in the winter which was so pleasant after so long of being hot in HCMC.  Although with the cold weather also came some really annoying drizzly rain.

It didn't last long and now summer is here with a vengeance, getting up to 40 degrees some days.  At least there is an end in sight.  I believe by September it starts to cool down a bit.

This is apparently one of the oldest pagodas in the city right next store to the RMIT building.

RMIT faces the lake below which is nice.

During the day above and below at night

And below with all the beautiful trees in flower for the start of summer

There are lots of lakes in Hanoi but the main one is Hoan Kiem lake where the old city area is.  It's our favourite hang out spot...below with Jibbo and Michelle on their visit.

You will always see couples getting their pictures taken at the lake of a weekend.

And above some of the high tech equipment available for everyone on the lake...it's free though....

The bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake over to the Turtle pagoda where King Le Loi is supposed to have gotten the sword that helped him win many battles.

The picture above is the alley for our first apartment, it's in the building with the big sliding door.

Inside our first apartment in Hanoi.  We got this one for 3 months until we worked out where we'd like to live.  That has been a really good plan for us.

 Givral coffee shop next to RMIT and 2 minutes from our apartment...many an hour was spent there.

Just a street shot, of Bach Ma pagoda in the old city area.

Touring inside

             Love this photo of the old chair that would have carried many an important person.

Always the incense area.

And to St Josephs Cathedral.  a beautiful church in the middle of the old quarter.

Above is the front door to the famous Hoa Lo Prison which housed John Mc Cain  from the US for a period during the 'American' War...they can't call it the Vietnam war....

Temple of Literature gates

Lots of University students get their graduation pictures taken at the Temple of Literature as the oldest University site in Vietnam.  

Part of the Temple of Literature

Love this outdoor broom made of banana leaves...works really well!

Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake (Tay Ho) above and below

One of our favourite bars to watch the world go by and below to watch music.  There are so many coffee shops, restaurants and bars still to try!

And finally Uncle Ho (Chi Minh)'s Mauseleum...he's in there to view.  He gets sent to Russia every so often to get re-embalmed.  If you want to catch a glimpse.

So that is the start of our Hanoi story...lots still to see and do and enjoy.