Crazy Hanoi

Fresh pineapple, you can't much fresher than this.
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After a very early start we left Lak Sao and headed to the Vietnam boarder, what an experience.  After 4 hours at the boarder control where they checked and double checked our passports then asked for a second form of ID and some US cash they let us through, having already having our entry visas didn't seem to be of great interest.  Definately would fly next time.  Once through we boarded yet another bus and for Hanoi, 9 hours later and few weird toilet stops later we arrived just after 8.30pm.  Not the best introduction arriving at night and not having any real bearings.   After a well earned sleep we headed out among they crazy streets literally taking our life in our hands to cross the road, foot traffic does not have right of way.  The group headed to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum where the que was so long we decided to give it a miss, so visited the mueseum and then went to the Old Quarter and had some lunch.  Later in the afternoon we took in a performance of the city's famed water puppets which was pretty good.  We feel we need an extra time to really get around, we certainly haven't seen much that the city has to offer.  Off tomorrow, 14 April for Halong Bay where we are spending a night on a boat, really looking forward to this.  We have 5 more joining our group today.