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After Hoi An, it was on to the similarly named capital city of Hanoi. As Bo and Heidi had already decided to fly this leg given their time constraints, we similarly whimped out and also flew. We needed to get to Hanoi as quickly as possible so that we could get our Indian visa application rolling, as we hoped to meet our friend, Paul Montgomery (who you may remember from Costa Rica), in India during the first week of March.
Our first true bit of sightseeing in Hanoi was the infamous Hanoi Hilton, which housed American POWs (including one Presidential hopeful). Visiting the prison was rather interesting, albeit somber and moving, and we learned that the time it served to hold prisoners of war was only a brief slice from its lengthy history.
Kelly reflects on POW life in one of the cells.
Bo, looking as though he should be institutionalized, peers through the bars of one of the cells.
As the explanation below describes, life was apparently quite pleasant for American POWs--it seems as though it was rather like summer camp. As with the War Remnants Museum, the Commies were force feeding us propaganda and misinformation, but we guess that is to be expected.
Below to the left appears John McCain, one of the more famous inmates at the Hanoi Hilton. He's looking rather dashing, a far cry from his current Johnny Carsonesque appearance. To the right is a photo of POW's enjoying another fun day at camp, this time drinking beers and talking openly with Vietnamese journalists about how well they are being treated. Those darn Commies!
During our first evening in Hanoi we indulged ourselves with a great meal at Brother's Restaurant. It was a fun splurge, and one no doubt appreciated by Bo and Heidi who had graciously been putting up with our trip induced aversion to spending money.
Meat of all sorts hanging outside restaurants is a common sight. Can you guess what the poor creature in the center of this photo is? We'll give you a hint: arf, arf.
On our second day, we made a trip to the Perfume Pagoda, a series of Buddhist temples visited by thousands upon thousands of Buddhists each year, particularly during the 3 month period from January to March (coinciding with the Lunar New Year). The temples are accessible only by boat, none of which are motorized, explaining why this small harbor is choked with them.
Vietnamese Buddhists making the trip to the temples. Moving quietly along the river, with the jagged backdrop of limestone outcrops, the approach to the temples is half of the fun.
The principal goal for most of the devotees (and tourists) is a large cave that comes at the end of a roughly 1.5 hour trek, most of which is uphill and, during this time of year, in mud. Inside, the devout worship at various shrines, make offerings, and, as depicted in this photo, hope for a drop of blessed water to grace their palms (can you spot Heidi, Trung and Hieu?). Other more enterprising types pick-pocket tourists as, sadly, Bo was victimized.
Some of the magnificent limestone mountains which surround the small river leading to the Perfume Pagoda (so named, we are told, because of the fragrant flowers that fill this valley at certain times of the year).
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