Jun 27, 2005 06:00 PMBusy week at work ends with R&R in Hanoi, Vietnam
6am, awaiting that first cup of coffee with my mind darting to the office, long before my body follows. Flash of realization..it's a short week, Vietnam beckons. Cathay Pacific to Hanoi on Thursday morning.
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Too long since blogging. THe trip was amazing - what a country! Friendly people, smailes, spontaneously singing as people went about their business in a couple of places. Stayed at teh Sofitel - very nice in a Somerset Maugham kind of way with the Press Club and Opera restaurants across from the side entrance for truly wonderful food. None of that was cheap (for Vietnam) but the currency is such that it is refreshlingly cheap for my Hong Kong budget.
Visited three villages, ceramcs, silks and wood. Enjoyed watching the silk being made, the ceramics painted. The wood village was full of pieces for the Chinese market - big and ornates...not much one could (or perhaps would) cart off). But, I tried to buy things almost everywhere we went to help the locals and build good will.
The trip up the river on an overcast day to the Perfume Pagoda was a hightlight...what peace.
