Wednesday

April 15 Wednesday 

We boarded our flight to Hanoi at 8:35 as promised ( well of course, this is Japan) and of course, the plane took off at exactly 8:55 as promised.  It is a most wonderful plane.  I am in row 16 unlike my companions who are further back, so don't know if I somehow got into first class, because the seat is spacious, it has a leg rest and a foot rest both and the tray comes out from the arm. Almost immediately upon departure, drinks of all sorts are served, followed by lunch.  I chose the fried chicken option..haha...it was the oriental version of fried chicken. Very nice, but served with Asian accoutrements, and flavours. And miso soup.  My other option was something which looked like noodles with seafood, but who knows what that was.  My Japanese neighbour had the same as I so I cannot surmise what that was.  The toilet had the same warm toilet seat and bidet functions too.  Amazing.  There is a screen of proportions ( not the mini ) in front.  Possibly has English on it but haven't turned it on.  There is also a USB port on the seat back in front, although when I plugged it in it didn't charge, so not sure what I would do with that .

It is a long flight from Tokyo to Hanoi of 5 hours.  And I thought it was a hop skip and a jump the way Nagisa spoke of it.  It is the same as going from one side of Canada to another, almost. 2200+ miles.

We were met by a nice young gal and she took us to our hotel, and after 30 minutes or so we headed out for a stroll! So, we walked 

from 3:30 until 6 with a stop for some traditional Vietnamese treats.  One was mixed fruit with evaporated milk on it. Truly delicious.  Later when we were all flagging, stopped for an egg coffee which was incredibly delightful.  Whipped egg with hot espresso on it.  Sweet and frothy, and thick, and strong.  Served in a bowl with hot water in it to,keep,the coffee hot.  Served with a spoon.  Walked another few blocks to,the restaurant for dinner at 6 pm.  No raw fish and lots of tasty things...chick, rice spring rolls, shrimp, pu,pain soup, and watermelon and pineapple for dessert.  The streets are filled with vendors of all sorts of meat, fish, and vegetables, all looking wonderful and fresh in spite of no refrigeration.  Streets lined with clutter and people and wires above a complex weave.  Following dinner we saw a water puppet show which was incredible....