Feb 1. Lunchtime and evening
Several hour walk a success in the sense saw no other tourists as I wandered north east and further east.
Small and large streets filled with narrow frontage commerce.
Smells, meats, obstacles everywhere. Teaming with life.
Wonderful visit with a group of smiling children. Photo on camera.
Lunch by West lake.
Lotus root salad with shrimp and pork.
QB posed some questions (private communication ibid.)
Is the food different in the North? In general no. Less spicy, ingredients more meat and less fish, vegtables less fresh, fruit does not look as good or taste as good. So far, but it is very early, the South wins hands down for freshness. As clolser to China more wheat products. Good bread. Poor pastries.
Of course maybe too soon to generalize as Hanoi is not Vietnam and it is still, in effect two countries. Their are excellent and terrible restaurants in Hanoi, just like any big city. Dinner at a local seafood place last evening was excellent and the seafood buffet, ibid. , had some wonderful crab and grilled prawns.
Previous riders, not much discussed. Scott and Ben, a father and son combo were a delight to travel with. Both were stronger riders so I watched their dust settle most days. Excellent breakfast and dinner companions. Ben, a San Fran architech. Scott, a vet in his youth, knew a bit of the aréa and could provide some interesting prospectives. We will exchange photos in the future.
On this trip there are 15 fellow travellers. Will be a very different trip. The riding has not started as yet, some still
arriving and some more touristing to do. Los Gatos, Ottawa, and Northern Georgia and Walnut creek so far. Met the rest at dinner tonight. One image of some in group.
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