Settled in Hanoi, Vietnam!

I booked a hotel online (Rising Dragon Hotel) for $22/night. The location was fantastic. Right near Hoan Kiem Lake. You get what you pay for and room was OK but I was spoiled by the hotel that GAP uses. I'm staying here 4 nights. Weather has been overcast and drizzling whole time in Hanoi. Wandered around and visited Hao Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) where Americans and Vietnamese political prisoners were held during the war. Only small portion of prison still stands. Interesting but not great. There was a special annual floral exhibition around Hoan Kiem Lake which was really something and the crowds were nonstop throughout the day and night. Had a very good dinner at Bar 69 Restaurant before seeing the sights of this bustling city at night on New Year's Eve. There were large screens and performers all around the lake. This is a jumping city. Went to a bar and met some nice people for New Year's. Had a great time.

1/1/10 - Don't know if I mentioned before but my primary backpack keeps tearing and have been sewing it up a few times so decided to get new backpack. Searched around last night but didn't find anything I liked. Today I went to largest market in Hanoi - Dong Xuan Market where I found a great backpack for $21. Then decided to take an excursion to the primary pottery village in the area - Bat Trang. Took a public bus for 1/2 hour to this rural village. Cost $.16 each way. Very special place. All kinds of factories and shops. Found a decorated tile at an off the beaten path shop for around $2 that was lovely and had Pho Bo (Beef soup) for lunch before returning back to Hanoi. Great excursion. Had best dinner on trip at Green Tangerine Restaurant. I had 5 course Prixe Fix Dinner for $21. This is considered expensive according to Vietnamese standards but well worth the price.

1/2/10 - Took an excursion that I booked through hotel to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc. This was a full day trip starting at 8am. Hoa Lu was capital of Vietnam during Dihn dynasty (968-80) and Le dynasty (980-1009). We visited 2 temples dedicated to the rules of that time before heading to Tam Coc. Known as "Halong Bay on the Rice Paddies", this lovely oasis is know for its sampan (metal) boat rides through the limestone karst caves. Had a buffet lunch which had goat as one it's dishes before I took a 1.5 hr trip on the sampan that was rowed by a man with a helper. Some of the rowers alternate using their feet to row. It was a great experience. The group for the day consisted of a young couple from France, couple from Montreal, guy from UK, couple from India, group of friends from China & Malaysia. I was only American in group. I shared a boat with one of Chinese guys that is working in Singapore. Guide was very good but English was difficult to understand and driver drove back to Hanoi from Tam Coc at 25-30 km/hr. Didn't get back til 7:30pm but all in all a great day. Went to Al Fresco's Restaurant for dinner. Recommended in Lonely Planet. Went to original location but they moved. Had ribs. Largest and best tasting ribs I've had in long time. They also had wonderful Chocolate Mud Pudding Cake for dessert. Yummmm! Very tired after dinner and went back to room and crashed.