Woke up at 5:00 and had breakfast at 6:00. Luggage pick-up at 7:00 and out the door by 8:00.
Ngoc Son Temple
This is the Year of the Horse.
And here's the soft shelled turtle that's preserved.
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa said there is a real Hanoi Hilton so if a tourist were to ask for directions, they would be sent there.
There were glass shards embedded into the walls to prevent escape. Hoa told us that the prison was originally built by the French to contain and torture Vietnamese revolutionaries.
He rather downplayed the fact that it also held American pilots. There were photos of American pilots relaxing and having a comfortable life there. Hoa said the prisoners weren't fed much, but they ate better than most of the citizens.
This plaque showed the terrible times the Vietnamese suffered at this prison.
John McCain's flight suit is preserved in that glass case at the far end of the room.
Our next stop was the Quan Thanh Temple.
On the way to the pond where John McCain crashed his airplane, I was looking the wrong way and nearly got run over by a scooter. Luckily, a quick thinking Canadian in our group pulled me out of the way.
Then it was on to the airport to fly to Danang.
Our very fancy hotel was the Hoi An Historic Hotel.
Many in our tour group wished we could stay there longer.
In the evening we walked through Hoi An town. We managed to luckily be there just in time for their monthly lunar celebration
when lanterns are lit throughout the streets in the evening.
Dinner that evening was
Chicken Parmigiana.
It was OK...
I would have preferred spring rolls.
According to the legend, emperor Le Loi was boating on the lake when a Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) surfaced and asked for his magic sword, Heaven's Will. Lợi concluded that Kim Qui had come to reclaim the sword that its master, a local God, the Dragon King (Vietnamese: Long Vương) had given Lợi some time earlier, during his revolt against the Chinese Ming Dynasty. Lợi renamed the lake to commemorate this event, it was formerly known as Luc Thuy meaning "Green Water"). The Turtle Tower (Thap Rùa) standing on a small island near the centre of lake is linked to the legend. --Wikipedia
This is the Year of the Horse.
And here's the soft shelled turtle that's preserved.
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa said there is a real Hanoi Hilton so if a tourist were to ask for directions, they would be sent there.
There were glass shards embedded into the walls to prevent escape. Hoa told us that the prison was originally built by the French to contain and torture Vietnamese revolutionaries.
He rather downplayed the fact that it also held American pilots. There were photos of American pilots relaxing and having a comfortable life there. Hoa said the prisoners weren't fed much, but they ate better than most of the citizens.
This plaque showed the terrible times the Vietnamese suffered at this prison.
John McCain's flight suit is preserved in that glass case at the far end of the room.
Our next stop was the Quan Thanh Temple.
Legend has it that Quán Thánh Temple was established during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To (reigned 1010–1028) and was dedicated to Trấn Vũ, Deity of the North in Taoism, whose symbols of power are the serpent and turtle. It is one of the Four Sacred Temples that were built in four directions to protect the capital from malevolent spirits. --Wikipedia
Then it was on to the airport to fly to Danang.
Our very fancy hotel was the Hoi An Historic Hotel.
Many in our tour group wished we could stay there longer.
In the evening we walked through Hoi An town. We managed to luckily be there just in time for their monthly lunar celebration
when lanterns are lit throughout the streets in the evening.
Dinner that evening was
Chicken Parmigiana.
It was OK...
I would have preferred spring rolls.
what a fabulous trip....wow!
ReplyDeletewhat a great trip you've enjoyed. i'm loving all your photos. you look so happy. hope all is well. have a great day~
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were saved from the scooter.
ReplyDeleteI went to the prison when I was there, too, but I missed the temple. We did go to some temple or other, but it wasn't that one. Love your pictures and descriptions, Kay. I'm enjoying it all over again! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Hanoi, I find it difficult to cross the roads as there were scooters everywhere and they do not obey the traffic lights. Then the local told me to just walk across the roads as normal at a regular pace and the scooters will know how to avoid me. Thank goodness you were ok and the scooter did not come into contact with you.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interessting and exotic place
ReplyDeleteYou cram a lot into one or two days. I am amazed that you can keep up!
ReplyDeletei sure am enjoying your trip!
ReplyDeleteso glad you survived that near accident, thanks for sharing your trip in such detail!
ReplyDeleteI second Christine comment!!!!!!! I'm very much enjoying this trip!
ReplyDeletecool historic places
ReplyDeleteThis is a very enjoyable history lesson. The teacher in you lives on.
ReplyDeleteI am having a very good time. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the country has recovered so well thanks to commerce.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, what a wonderful trip you all are/have had. I'm inspired to get my days online. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't get hurt with the scooter!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how the government knew to save John McCain's flight suit for some future museum, over any other prisoner's suit.
Keep looking for the spring rolls; I love them too! DrumMajor
I would have preferred spring rolls also! I love spring rolls. I'm so thankful you were pulled to safety. One reads so much of those who are injured while traveling. I'm so thankful you were not hit.
ReplyDeleteFascinating tour of the prisons. I can see why some wanted to stay in this hotel. It looks very nice.
The prisons are frightening. Amazing trip.
ReplyDelete