Petrina's Visit: Eight Days in Hanoi

Earlier this year I told my friend Petrina that she was more than welcome to stay with Douglas and me in Vietnam. There was no pressure involved or even a direct request from us for her to visit. I am aware that a trip to Vietnam may not be on our family or friends’ lists, mainly due to the type of country it is and the expensive cost to get here. Not to mention the sheer distance – Vietnam is no weekend trip! Many people simply don’t opt to vacation in third world countries. So we have very few expectations for visitors. When my father-in-law Nat visited us in January, Douglas and I fairly assumed that he would be our first and last guest. 

Not long after I extended my offer to Petrina, she called me and shared that she wanted to come to Hanoi. I happily replied in agreement, but didn't allow myself to get overly excited as plans can and do change. After a few weeks of tossing around prospective dates, I checked my email and was pleasantly surprised to receive Petrina's Expedia travel confirmation and full itinerary for her trip. She was actually coming! Douglas and I were both elated. Although Petrina is more my close friend than Douglas', he was thrilled to know I would have the company of such a dear friend for at least a week.

No one will ever know how much it means to have a loved one take the time out of their busy lives to pay a visit, whether near or far, until you are the person who is being visited. Petrina arrived on Saturday morning, August 30 and left on Saturday night, September 6. In those eight days we hit the streets of Hanoi like locals. While I could write about our adventure, we took way too many pictures that easily tell our story.

Trina, thanks for giving me a story to share and another great memory to cherish forever.

I also made a sign reading, "All black passengers." I correctly assumed she'd be the only one on the flight. The things that make us giggle...

She made it!!! I love to receive hugs and enjoy giving them even more.

I can't believe we've known each other for almost 20 years!

We live in a third world country, so I naturally requested some favored items from the US: turkey bacon and blueberries. I might have been more happy to see the blueberries than her!

What kind of host would I be if I didn't prepare plenty of baked goodies for my guest? I love making food for others.

Shortly after arriving we visited Cho Hom Market where the entire top floor has tons of fabric.

Someone wasn't prepared too see this much fabric in one location...

...neither was she prepared for the narrow aisles throughout the market.

She found a few nice pieces of material.

First purchase in Hanoi

I arranged for our tailor Minh to come over to take Trina's measurements. She opted for a jumpsuit and crossed her fingers that it would come out OK.

Four days later, Minh brought over the final product. I thought it was a few too many flowers but certainly doable. Trina said, "Wait a minute. No you're right, there are a lot of flowers!" She then turned around and....

Baaaaaaaam! My friend was now a walking flower shop. I think we both agreed that the Botanical Gardens wanted their flowers back. Let's just say this ensemble will only be worn at home...in the dark.

The evening of the first day we both got a manicure and pedicure. Her first thought was, "Is this bucket for both my feet?" Perhaps two Vietnamese feet would fit better.

Someone underestimated their jet lag. Trina was knocked out after10 minutes in the chair and pretty much stayed asleep for the nearly two-hour duration of our nail treatment.

This is what happens when a friend comes to visit...I end up with yellow nails. .

I actually loved it and would do it again. Plus it went perfectly with my robe.

After our manicure and pedicure we met Douglas for dinner at our favorite restaurant, KOTO.

Trina's dish: Five spice duck breast with potato cake

The second night we ventured out to Hanoi's Night Market on Dong Xuan Street. Someone loved the fan selections.

Hmm...I think she loved the selection of table runners even more.

I had to ask...Just how many tables do you own?!?!

On the second night, before visiting the Night Market, we dined at our other favorite Hanoian restaurant, Orchid.

Trina's first taste of Vietnam's popular dish, Cha Ca (fried fish served with vegetables and rice noodles).

The third day was our spa day. First stop - a 90 minute massage at Yakushi.

If only this 'no tipping' sign were on the walls of an American spa. This is one of the nice things about most of Asia, they do a great job simply because they want to please you, not for what they may get in return.

We were feeling good after our 90 minute rub down at only $15 each.

Following the massage, we had lunch at Halia on Xuan Dieu Street.

My dish: grilled tuna salad

Trina's dish: Apple salad

My dish: Grilled chicken breast with mango salsa

Trina's dish: Chili Crab Spaghettini

The best part of this restaurant was the view from the second floor. Our kind waiter escorted us upstairs and volunteered to be our personal photographer, and you can bet we made the most of it.

Third stop...Thu Cuc Exotic Spa for facials

Someone was excited about her 65 minute facial for $15.

Fourth and final stop for the night...Sofitel Rooftop. This hotel offers one of the best panoramic views of Hanoi.

Yummy drinks, snacks, and a fierce musical playlist. As soon as we walked through the door it was either R. Kelly or H-Town that was on heavy rotation.

The beautiful view of Hanoi seen from Sofitel's rooftop was certainly the highlight of this venue.

Such a perfect way to end our wonderful spa day.

We spent a full day at Halong Bay on a boat cruise on day four.

This wasn't quite the typical cruise boat we're accustomed to, but....

...it was all ours! Only the two of us, our tour guide and the boat staff to cater to our every request. For lunch the cook prepared several dishes for us to share 

I signed us up to go kayaking but when presented with the option to row ourselves or have someone row us, we both opted for the latter. Plus, someone was certain her life was at risk in water she could have probably stood in at most parts!

Our tour guide informed us these two rocks were called, "The Kissing Chickens."

We hiked a bit up to the entrance point of the Amazing Cave.

Our tour guide failed to mention the hiking/climbing portion of the trip. She said, "We have to leave something as a surprise." I get it, but knowledge about this kind of venture would have been greatly appreciated.

Inside Sung Sot - The Amazing Cave.

We were glistening in sweat after this excursion.

The view was completely worth the 3.5-hour drive each way.

We hit the streets of the Old Quarter for some shopping on the fifth day.

I took Trina into one of my favorite shops in the Old Quarter to buy scarves.

The owner was too excited and more than happy to show Trina ALL her scarves and different ways to wear them. We did learn a new way to tie a scarf in the process.

Needless to say someone was in scarf heaven, and I don't blame her for taking advantage of such affordable prices.

Trina made the owner a very happy woman that day.

Let me put the dogs away while you shop. The things we see in Vietnam.

This trip to Vietnam would not be complete without Trina wearing a conical hat while carrying a shoulder pole filled with pineapples and bananas.

Her Asia experience would also not be complete without a ride in a traditional cyclo.

On the sixth day I took Trina outside the city for more shopping. We visited a lacquer factory where they custom make everything by hand.

After seeing my jewelry box, Trina had her eye and mind set on getting one of her own. It takes two months to make so she'll have to wait until I return to the US to receive it. The sample product shows it will be entirely worth the wait.

Lots of designs to choose from to personalize the box.

We visited some art shops and snagged a couple paintings for the wall.

Only my friend would want this piece so bad that she actually convinced herself all three pieces would fit in her suitcase. Unreal! Needless to say that these are still hanging on the shop owner's wall. They do look marvelous though. Trina, would you be mad to see them in my home the next time you visit???

After leaving the lacquer factory, the taxi driver took us down the road to Bat Trang Pottery Village.

 

If anyone from Friendly Baptist Church is reading this, please know that Petrina had every intention of bringing back enough tea sets for the entire congregation! We actually walked in and out of several shops until she finally accepted that this transaction was not going to happen.

Tea sets for home. Perhaps groups of 10 members at a time from the congregation can come over to have tea at her residence.

I had Trina out the door at 5:30 am on the seventh day to visit Hoan Kiem Lake for its scenic atmosphere. Unfortunately, the air quality was so bad that day she couldn't experience it in its best beauty.

Another reason I brought her out so early was to witness the typical morning activity of most Hanoians, specifically the older ones.

Every object can be used as exercise equipment.

....every object!

Our workout was the mile walk around the lake and the almost two mile walk to and from it.

We came across a few ladies praying to the ancestors and offering gifts.

After our walk we went to a popular street spot near the lake for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast.

The cats also needed their morning breakfast....

Wait a minute...we're dining with cats?!?!

Pho Ga  - chicken soup

After a few minutes you forget the cats are even there...yet another one of the things we grow accustomed to in Vietnam!

I arranged for us to take a cooking class at Hanoi Cooking Center.

Before the cooking class began we walked a few minutes up the street to Chau Long Market for our ingredients.

It started to drizzle so our instructor gave us colorful ponchos to keep from getting wet. This is common attire for a Vietnamese person when out in the rain.

Rice paper. I'm still laughing at the woman crumpling the paper in her hand to show us how strong it is, then ripping off pieces and handing them to us for a pre-dinner snack. Uh, no thank  you!

Chau Long Market - where you will find everything you want to eat and just as much of what you don't.

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Our kind instructor offered for us to taste this pork paste and the other pork items beside it. We didn't want to ruin our dinner.

Yes, those are live frogs waiting to get thrown on the chopping block.

May it rest in peace. I'm such a baby, I couldn't even stomach watching the woman chop it's head off and toss its body into the nearby bucket. Too much for me to handle...I wasn't ready!

Here, smell some fresh herbs...whether you want to or not!

Did you need some products for your hair? Here you go! We had entered the hair section.

I know you didn't want to try that weird looking pork paste, but would you like to try some live silk worm? Oh instructor lady, how kind of you, but I'm chewing on my tongue right now and I'm quite satisfied.

This is not a typical American meat/farmers market.

Oh it gets better....the egg on the left is a duck egg and the super-size egg on the right is a goose egg. Our instructor must have not gotten the hint along the way and decided to purchase one duck egg for us to eat after the class. I didn't have the heart to tell her she'd be wasting her money.

Yup, Trina came to Hanoi to go grocery shopping at the market. Now that's what I call a step outside the box from your typical vacation.

Time to cook! Our menu - Spring Rolls. We had the entire place to ourselves to prepare it too.

Voila! Four different types of Vietnamese Spring Rolls, including one fresh and three fried.

Right before we left to go enjoy our hard work the instructor ever so kindly reminded us about trying the duck egg. Gee, thanks lady. Because I certainly didn't want to forget about that.

I took one look at the object that fell out of the egg shell after she cracked it and I said, "Nope, not doing it!" I'm pretty sure it would have aggravated my gluten allergy.

Trina, you turned down the pork paste and silkworm, yet you opted to eat this? Oh, I guess cooking it makes it okay. Such a brave woman!

But I was a good friend and cheered her on while capturing the moment.

Time to swallow! She actually said it was pretty good. I'll have to take your word for it.

Cheers! After 3.5 hours, we were ready to eat

The waiter offered to take our picture and said he would snap three shots. He then proceeded to create his own photography session out of us and took 31 back-to-back pictures of us. Good times!

The next morning I prepared some of each piece of fruit we bought at the market.

Pink dragonfruit. There is also a white kind.

Passion Fruit - extremely sour even for the biggest sour lover. Lots of seeds inside that you also eat.

Rambutan - similar to a grape with a big seed in the middle.

Custard Apple - this fruit has about the same amount of seeds as one large watermelon.

Mangosteen

On the eighth and final day, I arranged for us to do the Path of History / Bomb Shelter Tour at the Metropole Hotel in the Old Quarter.

This shelter was discovered a number of years ago by Metropole staff members. In the 1960's this bomb shelter was built to protect guests against American air raids. 

After the tour we enjoyed some complimentary drinks at the Bamboo Bar located directly above the bomb shelter.

We took advantage of the rare opportunity to get a solo picture in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Of course we are two girls who love the camera so we also took advantage of every other photo opportunity with a scenic background.

The Temple of Literature

Handmade cards sold outside the entrance to the temple

Last dinner in Hanoi - Quan An Ngon Restaurant

Crab Soup

Water spinach with garlic

Fried chicken wings with fish sauce

Stir fry noodles with mustard spinach

Chicken with ginger

Shrimp dish that also came along with a waitress who peeled and removed the head of each shrimp. I could have taken her home!

Our last few hours at home before leaving for the airport. Douglas prepared a few shots of our rice wine from Cambodia for him and Trina to take.

Bottoms up!

LAWD!!!

Just because I don't drink alcohol doesn't mean I can't have fun too!

Pineapple juice...so smooth.

No, it can't be time to go already.....

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Of course I thought it was completely appropriate for us to recreate the scene from The Color Purple. Though, neither ladies in the film had smiles that big on their faces....

anything for a laugh....

Miss you always.

Not your typical vacation, but I hope it was worth the investment. Thanks for being the kind of friend who has come to visit me in every location I've moved to in the US and overseas (Algiers doesn't count!). I love you, and I will always treasure our friendship. Here's to many more years and lots of new memories!