15th April 2010 – Hanoi Day 2

Lily and I got up early, had breakfast and were ready to set off and to do a day of challenges. We had not gotten all done the day before so we were raring to go and collect the most points that we could holy Moly was it ever cold when we stepped out of the front door. The temperatures in Vietnam had plummeted the night before and it stayed cold all day.

We shared a TAXI with Zoe and Rainy out to President Ho Chi Mein's Palace, Mausoleum and House. It was quite a procedure to be permitted into the Presidential grounds. Lily was almost not allowed in at all because her shorts were above her knees in length. Rainy, the always prepared "boy scout" lent her a pair of his shorts.

Yes they were really big but they did the job. We had so many steps to do to be permitted to enter here 1) Check in your back pack, but before you do remove your camera and wallet. Lily had to put on shorts. 2) Walk single file down an open corridor. 3) Stand in line single file until permitted to walk another 100 feet. 3) Remove camera from case. 4) Walk another 200 feet. Go through security scanner. 5) Place camera back in case and put into small red bag with handle. Hold the bag in front of you with two hands. Walk another 100 feet 6) Give bag with camera in at window 7) Walk double file. 8) Hands have to be at your side in military fashion. No hats on head……….and the list goes on and on. Sorry.. I guess the government needs to make jobs for people. I know very long lengthy description I was just trying to make a point.

When we finally got into the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Mein was lying in state in a khaki uniform, hands on his thighs. He died at 79 years old and he is in perfect condition. He looks like a man in his 50's just sleeping it is almost unbelievable that he has been dead for more than 20 years. His body is removed 1 a year for 3 months as they re-preserve him. We toured his, 3 different houses and his garage with his cars. He lived very starkly and simply. He never got married or had any children.

We scrambled about and did the following challenges….

One Pillar Pagoda, This is a pillar that was built by a King after he had had a vision that would have a son. In his vision there was a locus flower so the pagoda was built with one pillar in the shape of a Lotus flower. as a thank you to the god.

The clue was .. It was shot down during the Christmas bombing raids on December 19, 1972. What is it? Where is it? This was a very tricky question. And am proud to tell you we found it. The answer is A B-52 bomber which crashed into a small pond. Most teams thought that this bomber was in the Military Ammunitions Graveyard. The bomber was left in place as a reminder to the country that the war occurred.

Another clue was …. Founded in 1070, it may be the oldest University? Find it and visit it. What is its apt name. Answer was the Temple of Literature. Today was the day that all the bschool are visiting all the different monuments on school trips. These kids were fascinated with Lily. They all can say "Hello".

This was where Lily and I had fun we left here on the back of a "hugging TAXI" which is a scooter built for 2 but we squeezed on 3. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. Remember we are in Hanoi with millions of other scooters, who have NO traffic laws. Lily said it reminded her of Jet Skiing. I spent a lot of the ride with my eyes closed and saying my prayers. It was the driver "hugged by Lily"" and then I was on the back "hugging Lily". I will never forget this experience.

Lily and I also figured out another tricky clue. It was Whose statue sits in Indira Gandhi Park? The answer is Ly Thaito. The park "WAS" Indira Gandhi Park but it changed its name in recent years. The young people have never heard of it. It took an older gentleman to explain it to me.

One of our other challenges was to have a picnic in a park. So we took a wash cloth from the hotel, 2 small croissants, a granola bar, a bottle of water, some nuts and Oreo cookies to the above Ly Thiato Park and had our picnic.

We had check in at 12.00pm and we are off to Luang Prabang in Laos. I have never heard of these countries but all the other teams are very excited to go. I am also excited. I wonder how different it will be to Vietnam? I did not really find that the people in Hanoi are friendly, I hope the people in the next place are friendlier.

By the way did I mention that for a few days I was a millionaire in Pongs? The Vietnamese money is the Pong and it is US $$1.00 = $18,705.00VND or pong. If only it was really worth something!!!!

Gone to catch my plane to Laos.