Day 13 and beyond - Swim in Halong Bay and Hanoi

We say farewell to Ha Long with a final morning trip to an island with climb and view and swimming off a beach (see Garmin man map!). 

End to end of this outdoor pool looked like a 100m swim to me. 

Despite at least 10 lengths, my watch very rudely said I'd only done 88 yards.

As we cruise back to shore, our expert chef showed us some AMAZING vegetable carving. This was carved from a single large carrot (not the cucumber bit of course).

(thanks Kim for this shot!)

A bus journey back to Hanoi with some of its 5 million scooters.

Everything that can possibly be carried is carried.

Numerous citizens wear masks, although I doubt if this standard surgical mask would filter out the plentiful carbon particulates, as there are too many gaps around the side.

This well-dressed soldier remained smart and composed.

The green helmeted and green jacketed riders work for 'Grab', the Uber of SE Asia, boasting 2.5 million rides a day.

An evening walk in Hanoi and final farewell to Tung.

Hoan Kiem Lake - "Lake of the Returned Sword" or Sword Lake.

According to the legend, in early 1428, Emperor Lê Lợi was boating on the lake...

...when a Golden Turtle God surfaced and asked that the magic sword, Heaven's Will, was returned to the Dragon King (the Emperor had been given the sword previously to fight off the Ming occupiers). 

So the Emperor returned the sword to the turtle...

...and renamed the lake to commemorate this event.

Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, is the most important festival of the Vietnamese culture.

"Feast of the First Morning of the First Day" celebrating the arrival of spring.

Hanoi Social Club - great place for an evening drink, daytime coffee and cake, music some nights...



...also really nice brunch over the street at Salt and Pepper Café and Eatery.

There are so many excellent places to eat amongst locals and visitors alike.

 Great strap line for café

Not bad late art either.

 However, personally, I would avoid the egg coffee...

A sort of uncooked, stringy meringue floating on a hot coffee base.

In contrast the Hanoi Cookery Centre was just brilliant. 

 Stuffed bitter gourd above...

...and banana flower salad in preparation.

We then dined with our very fine dishes -

• Bitter gourd filled with tofu
• Tofu spring roll
• Banana flower salad with peanuts and sesame
• Taro cakes
• Smokey eggplant with chilli and thai basil..

And an evening of jazz with an interlude from a classical pianist.

 We also visited the Metropole Hotel, built in 1901... 

... where Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham and others have stayed. 

Vegan and vegetarian whole food places were found in the most unlikely places.

...and a final 'movie-star' pose!

Day 12