Days 10 and 11, June 3rd and 4 th: Hanoi

One week up and four more to go! :) At the moment I must say that the normal "working" days are going quite nicely and I'm starting to get the routine up and running. At this point of the trip I'm still quite excited about us being here and I'm trying to enjoy as much as I can and let Enni get as much experiences as possible too.

So, monday again. No detailed agenda for the day. Just thought that I should start makeing the reservations for the up-coming Halong bay cruise. I narrowed the options down to 2 and started waiting for some feedback from the both finalists. The thing is that neither of the companies seem to answer teir phone so I could do nothing but wait for the replies to the emails I sent.

Normal set of breakfast, morning cartoons/emails and stuff and off we went again! This time the intention was to find some letter paper (preferably pink, according to Enni's wishes) and tape, as Enni accidentially tore apart one of her master pieces she had done. I also wanted to check out the prices for the helmets they sell here for the scootering and moped driving part of citicens. This is because I decided already that I'm going to take few of them as a souvenir back home. That should describe the land and bring back the memories about the chaotic traffic and lively colors of the country. Besides Enni fell in love with the Hello Kitty helmet shown earlier in this blog. :) Found some paper and tape as well as a shop selling the helmets. By the way, Mikko is one of the most common brands of helmets seen here. :)


First Japanese styled "on the floor" restaurant of the trip

The lunch we took in a small restaurant quite close to our apartment but on a smaller street. Once again we didn't have sommon language settings with the waitress but managed to place an order for a bowl of "flaid lais", "nuuduu" and "chiki". The chick they brought us was the whole deal but luckily it was a rather skinny one so we didn't get overloaded.

 the "Chiki" served with head and all. Good it was. Ate all we did not. But did it actually cross the road...?

iIf iYou iLike iApple iProducts, iYou'll iLove iVietnam!

After the meal we stopped by in Café Mai which sells also the coffee beans. I think I still need to get back there to buy that Vietnamese Espresso blend... Anyone else?

The rest of the day we spent at the pool as it was rather hot once again. At least for us Finns.

Sunny day view from the roof top

In the evening I went out to eat with the former team mates as there were some new members visiting Hanoi. We went to a restaurant that served rather fine steaks. The prices were placed also accordingly. With a price of one of those steaks our whole family could eat in a local plastic chair place. For 3 days! :D But I must admit that the steak sandwich was a piece of fine dining for me. Partly I think I forced myself to think it was that good... ;)

Coming from the pool

Enni making some hobby crafts from the pink paper. Notice the correct tooling (sponsored by Letherman, the tool of the artists)

Not too many times (luckily!) has the check bee nover 5 million...!

Tuesday. Started to eplore the last emails from the cruise companies the first thing in the morning. Turns out that only one of the companies had reacted to my enquiry and thus we were forced to move along with the order with them. Now, in the evening time, as I'm writing this the other company made their offer as well and and you know what? For sure it was way cheaper than the first one! OK, I'll deal with it tomorrow. Lets see which one we'll end up with. Both offer actually exactly the same thing but with a different price.

After the cruise enquiry fight-off I decided we had earned our stay at the pool. Enni was willing to change the normal procedure accordingly so no problems there. ;) First time so far there was some smaller kids to play with Enni. This was nice so Enni got some interaction although there was no common language there either. It's funny how easy it still is for the kids to play without any means of communication other than sign language... wait, that's actually what I also have, most of the time! :D

By the pool with some friends

After the pool time it was already quite late lunch-wise and we were supposed to get going immediately after the shower but Enni managed to get the remote in her hands and turned the TV on just to find the Cinderella was on. You can imagine how willing she was to go for a lunch now! ;D Well, I was able to pend some time dealing with some job applications (yes, I'm active here as well!) as one "dream" post opened. Have to get the hiring manager on the line still this week to call him and then send the application afterwards. Just so that I can say that at least I tried.

Lunch was settled to the near by "home restaurant" as we already call it, Quan an Ngon. They never seem to fail and it's moderately priced as well. After the luch we went to another supermarket visit closer to our apartment this time. Pity I didn't get a picture (maybe later?) but I think that the cheese is like gold here. The pack I bought was shackled farmore tighter with an alarm than a CD case in Finland. With metallic bars for crying out loud! We also bought flip-flop sandals to Enni as she found a pair with pictures of Rapunzel on them. She's all nuts'n'bolts about those sandals. :)

The "next door" bicycle shop on the way to the supermarket

After the visit to the supermarket we ended up wandering around the near streets to find a new café to stop by and ended up to the other side of the intersection from our hotel. Went back to the apartment and made some experimental set of noodles and after that I went to the gym, which was also first time packed with people. A good session there and I'm ready for the bed now. C ya'll again next time! ;)

Our apartment pictured from accross the street