Fountains of fun!

After a little lie-in I got ready for the day.

Breakfast at the hotel was pretty yummy - muesli with yogurt and croissant with butter and jam.

I didn't really have a specific plan today so headed to Hanoi's west lake to see what was going on. What strolling round the lake I bumped into the 2 Australian ladies I had met on the Halong Bay cruise who recommended the Women's Museum - unfortunately I couldn't find it so continued on my walk around the lake.

Hanoi's Old Quarter is pretty cute with its winding streets and souvenir shops that all look the same, but also very much like a rabbit warren so I didn't stray that far from the lake or my hotel. I did do a bit of shopping though and bought 2 gorgeous oil paintings from a local artist - really beautiful and a bargain!

After returning the paintings to my hotel, I set off in search of some lunch. The helpful reception staff pointed me in the direction of where I could get some chicken noodle soup so I went off on a hunt. Clearly they were on the money as the place was packed with locals but I didn't really want to wait so headed back to the hotel to grab some lunch in the restaurant - good old hamburger and chips!

After chilling for a while, I had another shower and got ready to meet James (a British guy I had met in Auckland who was also in Vietnam) for dinner and a water puppet show. Unfortunately, the water puppet show was sold out so we grabbed a drink and went to the night markets to grab a bargain. After buying some t-shirts and a couple of souvenirs, we grabbed some kebabs from a street vender and set off to find a drink somewhere air conditioned!! The heat and humidity was pretty stifling!

After packing most of my stuff, I had another shower before heading to bed - a very busy day in all!!