A ramble around Hanoi

This morning's breakfast deserves a mention if only for the tasty (fly and ant free) fruit, but the noodle soup was even better.

We spent the morning wandering around the French Quarter, enjoying the wider pavements and grander buildings. Several foreign embassies have set up camp in the area and are helping to keep the older buildings from falling into total disrepair, but the South East Asian climate is still taking its toll.

We hit a big maze-like market building after a coffee break and came across the unusual site of an indoor fountain complete with koi carp. This water feature seems to be something of a local meeting spot as there were groups of all ages slouched on sacks or boxes of goods enjoying a rest and a chat, there was even a drinks seller offering refreshments.

The air in the market was a little stuffy, probably due the glass roof and towers of fabrics, so we left in search of fresher air. The market is nestled amongst the twisted lanes of Hanoi's Old Quarter so our attention was often drawn away from an on coming motor bike by a store full specialising in unusual metalwork, dried plants or circular saw blades. There was even a store filled entirely with counterfeit Lego.

About time to stop for another coffee.

We lost track of the afternoon wandering around the very communist parks and gardens just past the old quarter and ended up sat under a tree by a large lake wondering where the day had gone.