Saturday, September 15, 2007

Hot Hanoi - Part 1

Well, I've become rather lethargic since coming back from Hanoi. It was extremely warm there, though the sun occasionally gets hidden by the clouds, the whole load of us definitely experienced heatwave! Well, time for me to post some scenic shots of my first day in Hanoi. Our first stop was around the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, visiting his office and quarters (we later went back on the fourth day to enter the Mausoleum itself, no cameras were allowed then). Do click on the highlighted words for more info.
The Vietnamese treats Ho Chi Minh with utmost respect but they decided to go against his wish to be cremated upon his death (he passed away on Sept 2, 1969). Ho Chi Minh was embalmed instead, and displayed so that all can pay him a visit at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
A guard seeking refuge from the scorching sun!

The Presidential Palace is next to the Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh stayed here for awhile before moving to his house on stilts.

Ho Chi Minh's office exterior

The serene surroundings - I like the creepers
There were loads of pomelos growing in abundance up in the trees all around. Some of them were pretty large.

Ho Chi Minh's residence -House On Stilts

Yes, the Vietnamese is very proud of Ho Chi Minh and they have every reason to be, he was afterall their greatest leader.


To be continued ...


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely building, even the HCM residence.

The French influence is definitely there in the building. Beautiful.

This is one place my husband and I would love to visit. One day........

Is picking the pomelo prohibited?

Cynthia said...

Hi There! Thanks for stopping by my blog and your kind comments. I am happy to discover your blog. Your picture are such still-life. Beautiful.

Do come back and visit sometime.

wonda said...

With you around, I round the world in a few minutes! Broke the record!

New Kid on the Blog said...

when is your next posting????

Anonymous said...

Please don't tell me you went to Bobby Chinn, or met him *sulk*

teckiee said...

hhahahah can to pluck pomelos!!!

wmw said...

judy : Yes, you can see the French influence. As for the pomelo, I didn't see a sign but the Vietnamese treats Ho Chi Minh and anything about him so sacredly. I don't want to find out what they do to those who tries to do funny stuff there!

cynthia : Hey, thanks for dropping by in return and thanks for the compliment. Will surely visit you again.

jackson : Hotter than KL lah...Seriously!

wonda : Hahaha...like watching an online travel programme??? :o)

nkotb : In time...all in good time ;o)

foodieliane : You will be pleased to know that I did not go to his restaurant and did not see Bobby Chin!

teckiee : I don't know whether we will be punished severely for that! Hahaha...

k.t.x said...

HCM is one of my fav nationalist + by far one of the most charismatic.

Hanoi is a good choice! it's everytihng french to me and it's funny to experiance this in SEA!!!

sc said...

hah! just in time for me to check out since i'm going vietnam next month! thanks woman! btw, i think you look good when i saw u on sunday! ;)

Anonymous said...

Plenty of Western architectural infused in the buildings eh? The Mausoleum ground... so clean!

Precious Pea said...

Waiting for your food review so that I can justify whether worth visiting Hanoi or not. Hehehe.

wmw said...

k.t.x : The culture is definitely an eye opener, street scenes are amazing!

sc : Oooh, which part are you heading to? I look good, meaning I look well or I look good? Hahaha...thanks!

jason : Oh yes, the area is so clean because they treat it as a sacred place.

Precious P : Actually...one of the meals is the highlight but also one that I didn't eat! Stay tuned!

teckiee said...

Monkey brain ah? Or god meat... i mean dog meat? ... I would eat the dog (yes yes... i think all the dog lovers are cursing me now) but the monkey brain... do you know the monkey brain is eaten when the monkey is still alive and kicking.. thats just cruel and evil.

wmw said...

You know...the dogs know that you have eaten one of them and they'll show you that they don't like you!

Precious Pea said...

teckie, how could you???!!! Sniff sniff sniff.....Pea! Pumpkin! Stay away from this WOMAN!!

Actually i saw a clip on how they kill dogs...equally evil.