Hanoi

 Two days ago, we left Luang Prabang and boarded a (hopefully) sturdy, air-worthy twin prop plane bound for Hanoi.

We needn't have worried. During the one hour flight, we were given complimentary almond croissants and coffee,  and as far as I could tell, no vital bits of the plane fell off.

Our hotel was unfortunately located in what can only be described as Hanoi's 'ripped backside'. 

Scarcely a beer to be had, and other than frog noodles or snail porridge,  little to eat.

Something had to be done.

And so it is that you join us now from our luxurious new home in the heart of the Old Quarter. (Yes, we're one kidney down now that we've paid for it, but still....)

This afternoon, by way of celebrating our new-found swankiness, we travelled by bicycle rickshaw to the Vietnamese National Museum.

Not to say we've put on weight, but the driver/pedaller collapsed on reaching the museum.

The Museum is spread between two buildings. The first was full of information about the history of how Vietnam came to be Communist.

The main things I learned were:

a) All invasions must be described as brutal.

b) All resistance and revolution must be described as glorious.

There were various artefacts on display, including,  bafflingly, a car tyre, but my favourite exhibit was the portrait of Ho Chi Minh in cross-stitch.  (Apologies for the glare)

The second building housed more ancient artefacts, some dating from the Paleolithic Era.

Quite interesting, but as JB pointed out, when you've seen one stone axe head ......

There were some Bronze Age pots and more recent pottery pieces.

Here's a couple of the better ones:

And my own particular favourite, the Emperors Ceremonial Jewelled Hat, complete with cute little rabbit ears.