Vietnam Cambodia Thailand 2024: Nov 16 and 17 Arrival to Hanoi, Vietnam

November 15 we landed at the Vancouver airport. Our 4 hour layover consisted of sitting in an elite lounge, having an unlimited bar and food. I think we all got our moneys worth. Lol. Our plane departed at 0015 hours Nov 16. After 13 hours and 20 minutes, we landed in Taipei Taiwan. local time was 5:25 AM November 17 as we cross the international dateline. After another 3 1/2 hour layover, our flight from Taipei to Hanoi finally happened. The local time in Hanoi when we landed was 11:35 AM. With no trouble getting through immigration we managed to meet our guide outside the front door. Then a 45 minute drive to the Peridot Grand luxury boutique hotel in Hanoi old quarter. On the drive here, the highways were lined was beautiful palm trees, banana trees and bright pink flowers. It was amazing. After checking in at the hotel, we grab some beers and headed to the Infiniti pool on the 11th floor of our hotel. The views are unbelievable! Then at 5 o’clock, we decided to go for supper at the Met restaurant, which was supposed to be a three minute walk, but turned into at least half an hour of wandering the streets of Hanoi’s old Quarter. Good thing Bev knows how to read directions. Supper was delicious and cheap. I’m not sure how to describe the traffic and people on the streets of Hanoi. Huge numbers of scooters and cars going in every direction. Lots of honking, nowhere to walk on the sidewalks as many scooters are parked along the way. We had to walk along the edge of the street being careful not to get hit by cars and scooters. When you cross the street you put your hand out and keep walking not changing direction or speed, trying to avoid being hit. It is an experience like no other I’ve ever had, but so cool. Back to our hotel to try and get some needed sleep as we have many things to see and do tomorrow.