Our plan for today, to get bicycles to move around Hanoi. After Monica and I, together with the Japanese traveller, Yasu taken a western breakfast in Darling Cafe, we’re out hunting for bicycles-for-rent.

Only walk a few streets from the guesthouse, three female farmers approach us. Without asking permission, they put their shoulder pole with load of fruits on our shoulder, “snatched” our cameras and said, “I’ll take photo for you.”

Before we manage to think, they persuaded (forced, would be more accurate) to sell us their fruit with ridiculous high price. A banana and few pieces of pineapple for 40,000 Dong (RM8.00).

Well, to get memorable picture is worth paying, but if would be better if the farmers don’t force. In my mind, “There is a need for more tourism academy set up in Hanoi, to teach the people how to be more tourist -friendly”

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This Lake name Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword”) is the major gathering point for both local people and tourists.

There is Tortoise Tower(Thap Rua) in the center of the lake, hang a tale of legend about emperor Le Loi and the magical sword. At the northern part of the lake, there is Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple), which build in 18th century on an small island cannected with the mainland by the Huc Bridge.

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Day 1 - Take off from LCCT to Noi Bai

Wave Goodbye

It’s about 1:45am, after we had a couple bottles of beer, Jason Gerald start his car engine and ready to sent both of us to LCCT. Our flight to Hanoi, Vietnam will be taking off at 6:30am, and we have to check-in 2 hours before the departure, and the distance between Malacca and LCCT is about 1hr30min drive.While we arrived at LCCT, it’s about 3:30am, three of us decided to take early breakfast in McDonald’s, before we can actually do anything.

Wave goodbye to Jason, check in all the luggage, get pass the immigration check, and finally we are sitting inside Airasia cabin, expecting 3 hours flight north-east. There is nothing much to see in the plane, even the pilot announce that we are flying above Bangkok, Thailand, as it’s flying above the clouds.

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport

As most of the traveller know, the time zone of Vietnam is GMT+7, where as Malaysia is GMT+8. Even my watch shows 9:30am at arrival, but local time is actually 8:30am. Thereby, our real journey was started. We look for the money changer in Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi, for some Vietnam Dong, and find the cheapest way to get into the heart of the Hanoi City.

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