"Hang'n in Hanoi with Uncle Ho!" a Hanoi Travel Page by 34N118W

<FONT color=red>April 27, 2001</FONT>
Our first attempt to enter Vietnam ended in disappointment. We tried to enter by land at the Chinese-Vietnamese border only to be turned away because our visa expired. We were told we had to go to the Vietnamese Consulate in Guangzhou to apply for a new visa. I couldn't believe how casually they mentioned it. They said it as if it were around the corner, when in fact it's around 600 miles each way! This was a setback for us, and our hearts sank at the thought of it. We spent the night in Pingxiang, and set out for Guangzhou the next day. We arrived at the border again a week later. Luckily, we were successful this time. After travelling for 24 hour straight, I finally arrived in Hanoi. James and I spent the day touring a few museums.
<FONT color=red>April 30, 2001</FONT>
James and I have been wandering around Hanoi for the last few days, and I must say it's a beautiful city. I love all the French Colonial architechture. It really give the city character. My only peeve is all the trinket pushers bombarding you for your business. I feel like a walking dollar sign!!! However, it hasn't stopped me from enjoying myself. We're planning on leaving Wednesday, May 2nd. From there we'll either shoot up to Sapa or Cat Ba island. Personally, I'm hoping to go to Cat Ba. I've been dying for a beautiful beach surrounded by turquoise water!
<FONT color=red>May 5, 2001</FONT>
I just returned from Cat Ba Island, and it was every bit as beautiful as I imagined it. It was a little rainy, but it really didn't affect the beauty of my surrounding. I did a little hiking while I was there, but the whole reason I went was to hit the beach. I'd never been anywhere where the water's warm. In Los Angeles, you need to creep into the water slowly because of the cold Alaskan current that runs along the California coastline. So I was giddy with excitement as I was walking into tropical waters for the first time. I had a smile from ear to ear. I even started laughing to myself as I remembered daydreaming of this day at work several months ago. Today was payday, and I am one happy camper!!! =)
<FONT color=red>July 12, 2003</FONT>
I've been living in Saigon for the last 2 years, and now I've just moved up to Hanoi. It's a lot nicer than Saigon. There are more trees and lakes, and the architecture is nicer. I was teaching English in Saigon, and I plan to continue with that here in Hanoi. Teaching work isn't as plentiful as it is in the south, but I've heard it's steady once you establish yourself. Anyone thinking about teaching English in Hanoi should think about getting a TEFL/CELTA certificate if you don't already have one. RMIT is running a CELTA program in Saigon if you still need one. It costs $1400 and is a month long.
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