Hanoi

On Saturday, still in Danang, our driver took us to Marble Mountain where we CLIMBED up and down steep steps amongst the masses.  We left a little later after our full day in Hoi An.

Then an hour ride to My Son where there were a few mostly destroyed temples made of bricks.
A little over a mile of hiking.  We could have passed on that!
Admission was 150,000 dong each so I gave the attendant 500,000 and she either tried to say I gave her a 20,000 or was giving me 20,000 in change, which she pretty quickly turned into a 200,000 when she figured out I didn't fall off a turnip truck.

Got back to our hotel and went down to the beach.  Restful!

The next day, Sunday, was peace and quiet.  Time on the beach and walked, then pool time.

The airBnb owner arranged for a driver to pick us up outside our door and deliver us to the airport on Monday.  A smooth flight and were met by the Jones travel assistants who took us to the hotel about 30 minutes away.  It is the hotel where Donald and Kim Jong met, but each stayed elsewhere.  Decent room with a view of nothing, but close to old town and great breakfast.

We had the welcome dinner at the Hotel which was nice.  Big selection and met the home office hostess who runs the retirement transition program and I had spoken with her a few times during my retirement process.

Had our hour long meeting on Tuesday morning and then a tour of the "Hanoi Hilton" which the French used to hold and torture folks who rebelled against the French invasion.  It was later used to hold mostly US pilots shot down over North Viet Nam including John McCain.  Pretty gruesome and probably could have skipped that or taken a much shorter tour.

Then took a bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of the old town, then a walking tour down narrow alleys where the locals shopped.  Interesting and had a good guide.  Instead of shopping for trinkets, we spent a buck for a cold beer and watched people.

For dinner we found a decent restaurant nearby for some good food.

Today, Wednesday, I got up for the 6 a.m. walking tour through the park and by the lake to watch the city wake up.  Lots of people out doing exercises, dances, laughing, clapping and enjoying themselves.  Fun to see and they insisted we join them. "Where you from?"

After breakfast Pam wanted a foot massage, so they recommended a place 1/2 mile away that we turned into at least a mile, passing dozens of other massage places.  It warmed up
to the 80's and humid so back to our room.  I may try the pool and an early night as we have to have our bags outside the room at 5 tomorrow morning for our trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  FUN!  It will be a charter flight and they promised beer and wine, but no food.  It is nearly 100 in Cambodia.

I'll add a few pictures later as it is too frustrating to add them with the text.