Vietnam

Bahn Mi

food, Hanoi, Vietnam
11800465_942342355788698_4984854362252363360_n

Bahn Mi (Bami) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Anyone who knows my eating habits (so… my mom) can tell you that I am not a huge sandwich fan.

That being said, I always have to try the local cuisine.

In addition to my curiosity, all of my travel companions were raving about the bahn mi sandwiches that they ordered at simple stalls throughout the city.

We had gotten into the habbit of having four meals a day, which was necessary since we were awake for so long and burning so many calories by walking through the city.

I believe I ordered a pork bahn mi, and it was delicious. Nothing I would tell my grandkids about, but delicious nonetheless. There’s something about the way that  French and East-Asian influences connect that makes Vietnamese cuisine absolutely immaculate.

Swan boats in Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam

Of the more comical excursions during our travels was swan paddle-boating in Hanoi.

We had been wandering Old Quarter for the better portion of a day, and the rain had never ceased. Monsoon season was truly upon us, and the humidity mixed with rain and sweat meant that we were constantly drenched and a bit cranky.

During our wanderings, we spotted some swan boats eerily floating on a massive empty lake.

11825926_942344239121843_2211239927543074372_n

Swan Boats!

This was too ridiculous of a situation for us to refuse, and we went in to the business next to the boats. There was a restaurant on the top level with a view of the lake, and we ordered some watered-down pina coladas since we kept getting “caught in the rain.”

11822366_942331029123164_2420641908702217961_n

Business is booming.

After our snack, we paired up and hopped onto the boats.

11836929_942343402455260_3594777435788111192_n

Off to adventures!

The buildings against the skyline were diverse, and the lake seemed to stretch on for miles and miles.

11831823_942343545788579_7022510733018846228_n

Hanoi’s eclectic skyline

 

11800240_942342765788657_8479490812235852220_n

Reprieve from the rain

We were the only souls out on the massive lake, and the only ones willing to traverse the rain & gloom.

11707626_942342635788670_8640465353654639898_n

So Majestic

The person I paired up with was too tall to fit in our boat, and he ended up resorting to peddling with his hands, which was extremely comical.

11903738_10204405779576216_7303327429181019309_n

Paddlin’

11846561_10204405778856198_519348157174574382_n

Having a magical time in Vietnam