Before we did this I took all possible benefit out of the pool and the Spa area once again.
Breakfast was not included and would have set us back 22 USD so we decided to pack up and move to our new hotel.
Our friend / tourguide from Cat Ba had suggested a place of a friend which we went to find. Unfortunately it was full but we were shown another place of a friend.
Our stay (for both of us) in this window less but clean hotel rook was cheaper than breakfast for one person at the Metropole.
We asked the receptionist where to find the best "bun cha" around there. A famous Hanoi dish with barbecued pork, rice noodles and loads of vegetables.
The ground floor of Bun Cha Dac Kim at 1 Hang Manh was packed with locals which was a good sign. We were led up the first set of stairs, past a full 1st floor and a full second floor. When we got to the third floor we found a spot and set down.
Not really sure what to do we waited if there was a menu coming or not. Instead of a menu our dish arrived already, so it seems to be a one-dish restaurant. I really start to like them. You get only one dish but that dish has been perfected by the family for generations.
A quite large bowl af garlic and chilli and a bowl of different leaves were already present on the table and so the feast could begin.
We watched the other guest to figure out what to do.
Dipping the noodles in the soup, adding some chilli and garlic and some leaves made a fantastic combination of tastes. The whole dish was accompanied by a large plate of at least 6 spring rolls cut in pieces.
If you should decide to visit Hanoi and try this place, please be aware that there are two Kim Ban Cha restaurants next to each other. The one we ate at pointed out, on a large sign, that the one next door was a fake and not to be trusted. I guess since ours was the one that was much more full, we were in the authentic one, but who knows, maybe it is the best organized scam in south-east asia?!
After our filling breakfast we wanted to visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum but had to pick up a jacket since it was getting cold up here in north Vietnam.
Unfortunately it turned out that Friday (and Mondays) Ho needed some rest from visitors and the Mausoleum, the Museum and the Presidential Palace were not open to the public.
We were forced to enjoy it from the outside and walk on. After a coffee at a street cafe we found some narrow alleys with many vendors selling their goods and scooters wiggling through and slowly made our way back to our Hotel.
Our last night in Vietnam was not as exciting as it could have been. I think, similar to a marathon runner, our energy level after this two weeks marathon was close to the end and we didn't fancy a run towards the finishing line, so we decided to get some quick food and have a last stroll through the streets of Hanoi.
We actually ended up in the same street cafe (and on the same little stools) as we did during the afternoon. Here we reviewed the events and adventures of our last two weeks in this wonderful country while sipping on the last Vietnamese Coffee.
Vietnam is one of my favourite places on this trip so far, maybe it also because I didn't travel alone, maybe it is because I travelled at a quicker pace or maybe it was because it is just an amazing place full of friendly people, who don't (unlike to Thailand) only see dollar signs when they look at you.
Vietnam, just after Nepal you are my number two! Thank you (and thanks Basti, for coming along for the ride... good man!)
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