Tags: hanoi
Just sitting in Hanoi
When I arrived, it was just a week of settling down after the flood. Everything seemed normal, if I was not told of the flood, it wasn't obvious. I did notice mud on the sidewalks, but that was like some leftover debris from construction sites. I was surprised when Bach told me about nature's onslaught.
Hanoi seems to be so resilient to a lot of going-ons or had-beens. And yet so humble and hard-working. It was really relaxing sitting beside Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) while watching so many people sitting around enjoying the peace albeit the noise of traffic around it. Everyone was doing something but I did not feel the busy-ness. Someone approached me and tried to chat me up asking questions, speaking a little English. He asked where I was from, what do I do, where do I live, what is it like in Malaysia, and finally asking if I would like to get some of his books and postcards. I often like to talk to these sales people, I like the sincerity in them, I like the way they approach a sales and I also like the way they ask questions. They were so friendly, they were really interested to know about me as I would be interested to know about them too. I will look at the products, if I want to, I will make an offer. If I do not want the products, I will just politely decline. The conversation was always smooth and no hassle. Anyway, I always welcome sales talk, I really like to just listen with an open heart, there is always something I can learn from the person who sits in front of me.
I sat at Hoan Kiem Lake overlooking the Tortoise Tower which has its remnant in the middle of the lake. The temperature stayed between a cooling 20℃ to 28℃, just perfect to sit outdoor. There were lots of willow trees all around the lake, some have bent so low, they almost touch the water. The willows take to the flow of the wind, sway softly along as if that is naturally what they are there to do - all day long, just dance to the mischievous play of the wind.
I read Somerset Maugham's "Of Human Bondage" while looking up occasionally to see people walking past and enjoying tea. Some having lunch everywhere beside the lake. I was impressed with the way Hanoi has built itself to be like a garden city where their citizens can come out to sit and play in the open. I guess we did not have that here in KL, no wonder the scene of people having food in a group at Hoan Kiem Lake fascinated me so much.
Just walking around the lake brings you to the island-temple known as Ngoc Son Temple, very picturesque footbridge. I did not go in because I was more captivated with the scenery outside the temple. It was founded in the 14th century.
Bach told me later that the Vietnamese don't actually have a religion. So, I said what are they praying in the temples here in Hanoi. He said they are just praying to the ancestors. So, their ancestors become their "god", and this is passed down through generations.
And I also learned that the people have to pay for education in Vietnam. I told Bach that in Malaysia, education is free from 7 years old onwards until we are 18 if we choose to stay on to study. Aren't we a fortunate lot to be Malaysians?
Posted in Guests' Diaries!, Travel Destinations | Leave a comment »
Halong Bay Duel: Travel to Hanoi, Vietnam and a Fight on a Junk Boat
Hi Guys,
I would like to introduce Low Angle Production, a group of Malaysian action short-film makers formed in May 2008 by a group of martial artists and action-movie enthusiasts (below is a picture of the Hanoi shooting crew).
I just wanted to share with you guys a video of our recent trip to Hanoi, Vietnam recently.
We booked our flight on AirAsia about 2 months in advance and in preparation for our trip, we thought it would be a good idea of including a fight scene on a junk boat.
The Halong bay cruise is of course one of the more popular tourist attractions of the region. We decided to stay overnight on the junk. The video is also a compilation of our travels to the shoot location.
Well enough with words, I hope you enjoy the video as much as we did making it.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Cheers
Posted in Airport Stories, Flying Diaries, Our Culture, What's New?, Guests' Diaries!, Other Stuff, Travel Destinations | 5 comments »
Wonderful Flight Home
As the stewardess pushed the cart along, we ordered variety of dishes and also requested them to 'pull' the tea for we are missing teh tarik at home. The stewardess (Haslina, Maisara, Norizwani & Zainudin) sportingly entertained our request. We ordered about 10 teh tarik and Haslina was the one who did it all. Though we teased her, she kept smiling all the way until we landed at LCCT.
We really enjoyed our flight and we would like to record our appreciation and thanks to the whole crew of the flight. Their courteous, not forgetting pretty & beautiful, manner really made us happy and welcomed. Their service are an example of the best in AirAsia. It was a pleasure for us to know them and cherish the memories.
Posted in Our Culture, Guests' Diaries! | 3 comments »
Flight Cancelled: Upset to Calm
Although I was initially upset with being delayed the airline went out of their way to look after us. They chartered another flight to Kuala Lumpur with food and drinks included, putting us up overnight in Kuala Lumpur for our missed accommodation and re-booking our connecting flight to Hanoi. For a budget airline, I think this was great customer service. We look forward to a good return flight to Australia and many more flights with AirAsia in the future.
Posted in Guests' Diaries! | 7 comments »
Why The Room Like That One?
Welcome to the 21st century, where everything on travel can be found online and at affordable prices. But beware, the Internet is a knowledge portal with no moderator and boundaries. Hotels will publish their nicest pictures and disgruntled patrons will write the meanest reviews. How can you tell if the information is dependable? All it takes is some research while sitting down in front of your PC and a visit to the local bookshop.
Where Do I Want to Go?
Stay home and surf the net. There are numerous travel sites you can surf to get ideas on where to go. Further information can also be obtained from the country’s tourism authority site. If you still need more opinions, visit travel blogs just by searching through Google or Technorati.
Spend an entire afternoon in ‘Borders’ book shop. Sit down at the travel section and read your way through some of the destination guides to better understand what the different destinations have to offer
Lastly, talk to friends about places they’ve gone. Try and get detailed answers, most of the time they can’t stop talking about their travels.
![]() Diving at Redang 2006 |
Posted in Other Stuff, Travel Destinations | 3 comments »











