Up early to the sound of.. dogs barking outside my bedroom window. A cool morning with recent typhoon weather washing Hanoi clean. Outside it drizzled rain, a still, silver day.. perfect weather to go to the pool :)
My house is nestled in a courtyard surrounding a pond, green fir trees and stylised Vietnamese houses. I love living in a communal setting. Each day I try to start with some time on our roof. Surrounded by a sea of coloured roofs, luscious rooftop gardens, washing blowing in the breeze and far below winding lanes and suburban activity bustles. It's peaceful!
A ring of the doorbell lets me know Carrie is here. She tosses her curly red hair and spins the bike in the right direction. She's new to motorbike driving, but as a bicycle rider she's as cool and confident as they come. Just the same it's tough negotiating my winding alley. Rough cobbled concrete create grooves that trap tires, potholes. A variety of motorists, pedestrians and school children come from all directions. After hectic minutes we pop out of the alley, get absorbed into traffic and head on our merry way towards West Lake.
The drive between West Lake and Thuch Bach Lake is gorgeous, especially at sunset. Swan shaped paddle boats dot the horizon and floating restaurants fill for lunch or dinner. Food sellers line the edges of the road, Vietnamese couples parked on their bikes snatch quick kisses and if it's hot, ice cream sellers appear in full force to tempt drivers off the roads.
But today with the rain, it's slow and quiet, swan boats are safety berthed and bobbing on the edge of the lake.
In no time at all, we've arrived at the pool. Thang Loi Hotel is impressive with flourishing indoor atrium and waterfall. As you walk towards the pool the whole of West Lake greets you. The swimming pool is set almost on the edge of the shimmering lake, lined with palm trees, scattered pool chairs (and enough chlorine in the water to kill all but the most resistant bacteria). Sunset here is the best time of day. There's nothing better than sipping coffee and watching golden colours drip down from the sky while Vietnamese fishermen in conical hats standing waist deep in water cast lines below you.. beautiful!
But on this silver day, it was just Carrie and I.. rare. Normally swimming is like negotiating an obstacle course! Vietnamese swim like they drive... so today was a more relaxed affair.
I'm starving after the swim, so it's time to hunt down breakfast. And surprise, we snaffle exactly what we want.. Vietnam's favorite bread and eggs. You see sellers on the street with boxes filled with bread. The ladies deftly whip together eggs and stuff a crunchy white baugette with meaty pate, sliced chicken, a sprinkling of MSG... (I knew I couldn't get through a post without talking about food!)
With our take-away egg sandwiches we find a quaint French cafe and eat eggy goodness washed down with fresh mango, mint and honey, yogurt smoothies.. breakfast bliss for under $2.
Today I have a health appointment with healer and herbalist, Dr Thuy. She provides health assessments, acupuncture, massage at the Yakashi Healing Center. Her clinic is a divine herb scented, beautiful and welcoming space. It's a classy joint and Dr Thuy is a healer personified. Calm and professional, she provides holistic therapies and other services for the natural health conscious.
Teaching English in the evenings means it's easy to take advantage of a day. Even if it was a rainy one! After work Sim and I caught up for chat over a couple of Singapore Slings (cocktails on a school night, naughty, I know) and enjoyed some nice tunes at Mao's.
Sigh..it was really one of 'those' days..
Thang Loi Hotel
200 Pho Yen Phu
Rendevous Cafe
To Ngoc Van
Yakashi Health Clinic
Xuan Dieu
Mao's Red Lounge
Ta Hien
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