Five minutes into the last day of the month we reached Kuala Lumpur airport. Got the cycles in one piece, they were actually put on the conveyor even after there were large 'FRAGILE' tags on them. Our flight to Hanoi was at 6.15am and we had between 3 and 4 hours to kill. Did the regular photographs and then each of us got busy with emails and msgs as WiFi was free :-) We wanted some coffee and went out to recce, the only 24 hour hotel happened to be an indian restaurant (enterprising 'desh baandhav'). Everything was closed and we had to spend the rest of our time sleeping outside the airport......
Went into the airport to checkin and saw a sea of people, chaotic was the best way to describe it :-) felt right at home.... In a little while a few more counters opened and we were able to finish our formalities.
We were all tired and slept right through the 3 hour flight. Hanoi was very cloudy and wet from the air....wow thought that we had chosen the least rainy of all the months for our adventure....
It was a bit cold and windy when we got off the aircraft, went to immigration and stood in line. The lady at the counter had one look at our passport and visas and asked for our return tickets out from Hanoi, when we said we were going to cycle she laughed and we were asked to stand aside. Her senior came and explained that the 'D' type of visa that we had required a return ticket and if we did not have one we would be deported back to Kuala lumpur....... it was a shock for all of us..... there went all our plans for the next 15 days of cycling through the dreamy landscape of Vietnam.....
Language was a big barrier. We pleaded with them but they were bound by the rules.We started making alternate plans. What happened next we do not know,but they just came to us & told us that they will allow us to travel only this time & asked us to make sure next time to have ' B' visa for this type of travel. We were so relieved & felt like hugging them all- especially lovely ladies in immigration ;-)
The vehicle was waiting for us out side airport which brought us to our hotel - Hanoi Dylan in old quarters of Hanoi. We had a grand reception with welcome drink & fresh fruits. The staff was really courteous & helpful, especially - Ms.Phuong Dung pronounced as Zung. We were surprised at her good English.
We got the cycles assembled immediately & every one in the hotel gave us a helping hand.
After freshening up went just across the road & had excellent local road side lunch of Bun Cha Nem Chua Be - Soup with rice noodles, lots of green salads & a platter of pork strips & spring rolls stuffed with crab meat. It was VERY,VERY DELICIOUS & we decided that we could live on this for next 30 days, if not more.
Met the owner Mrs.Moon, she too is very resourceful & planned our activities for the evening - A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Di Tich Hoa Lo Prison & walked back to the hotel.
Now we are off to Bia Hoi (Supposedly the cheapest & best draught beer - will find it out & tell you tomorrow) & dinner :-) :-) :-)
Went into the airport to checkin and saw a sea of people, chaotic was the best way to describe it :-) felt right at home.... In a little while a few more counters opened and we were able to finish our formalities.
We were all tired and slept right through the 3 hour flight. Hanoi was very cloudy and wet from the air....wow thought that we had chosen the least rainy of all the months for our adventure....
It was a bit cold and windy when we got off the aircraft, went to immigration and stood in line. The lady at the counter had one look at our passport and visas and asked for our return tickets out from Hanoi, when we said we were going to cycle she laughed and we were asked to stand aside. Her senior came and explained that the 'D' type of visa that we had required a return ticket and if we did not have one we would be deported back to Kuala lumpur....... it was a shock for all of us..... there went all our plans for the next 15 days of cycling through the dreamy landscape of Vietnam.....
Language was a big barrier. We pleaded with them but they were bound by the rules.We started making alternate plans. What happened next we do not know,but they just came to us & told us that they will allow us to travel only this time & asked us to make sure next time to have ' B' visa for this type of travel. We were so relieved & felt like hugging them all- especially lovely ladies in immigration ;-)
The vehicle was waiting for us out side airport which brought us to our hotel - Hanoi Dylan in old quarters of Hanoi. We had a grand reception with welcome drink & fresh fruits. The staff was really courteous & helpful, especially - Ms.Phuong Dung pronounced as Zung. We were surprised at her good English.
We got the cycles assembled immediately & every one in the hotel gave us a helping hand.
After freshening up went just across the road & had excellent local road side lunch of Bun Cha Nem Chua Be - Soup with rice noodles, lots of green salads & a platter of pork strips & spring rolls stuffed with crab meat. It was VERY,VERY DELICIOUS & we decided that we could live on this for next 30 days, if not more.
Met the owner Mrs.Moon, she too is very resourceful & planned our activities for the evening - A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Di Tich Hoa Lo Prison & walked back to the hotel.
Now we are off to Bia Hoi (Supposedly the cheapest & best draught beer - will find it out & tell you tomorrow) & dinner :-) :-) :-)
finally rchd :)
ReplyDeletehi all. thanks for the virtual trip. :-) waiting for photos. the airport authorities must be impressed by your plan. keep it up. :-) all the best!
ReplyDelete