Japan - Hanoi

It has been a fair while between posts, and in that time we have been in Kyoto and doing day trips, and I have now left feeling as if I have quite an affinity with Kyoto. We travelled to Nara and saw the world's largest brass Buddah and went to Kanazawa to see some beautiful gardens and a castle, both of which proliferate in Japan. I like the idea of spending a fair bit of time in one place, not so much as to stagnate, but enough so as to develop this affinity I mentioned. Too many travelers consider the world to be a checklist of things one must see and do, however I prefer to get the feeling for a place and avoid the typical superficial visit managed by many tourists. Japan was a great experience and Tom and I are both forever indebted to Vincent and Ann for their unbelievably generous spirit. Leaving their almost felt like leaving home again, thus was the strength of their welcoming. I hope to see them again soon; my Japanese mum and dad.
The trip from Kyoto to Hanoi involved many legs and more than enough time. Kyoto-Tokyo-Narita-Hostel-Airport-Hanoi. And once we arrived in Hanoi, the travel had just begun. We were lucky enough that Tom had a contact in Hanoi to pick us up and take us to our hostel and help us plan our week here; which will be a full one.
Hanoi's chaotic nature acts to juxtapose the methodical, regimental Japanese lifestyle. It is chaos, however there is order to the chaos. I am glad for my month spend in India last year, as it more than prepared me for Hanoi, and the usual third world three lanes on a two lane road. Needless to say, by the time we got to our hostel last night, it was all we could do bring ourselves to go and get dinner, being that it was 11 pm Japan time, but we made ourselves, and were well rewarded. We splurged. $20 each, and we got more food than we could finish. Deep fried tofu, asian green vegetables, spring rolls and coconut rice, plus the meat Tom had and his reintroduction to Tiger beer, for which he was very thankful. I had a mango juice. It tasted like an Australian summer.
The hostel we are staying in is hectic, if only to mirror the life outside its doors.
We have today in Hanoi, tomorrow and Monday in Halong Bay, then Monday night we catch a sleeper train to Sapa, after dinner with Twan, Tom's friend. We stay Tuesday night in Sapa, then catch another sleeper train on Wednesday night back to Hanoi for another day roaming the streets, hopefully with better weather than today. Due to our Japanese body clocks, we are awake, showered, dressed, breakfasted, Facebooked and blogged all before the Ho Chi Minh morsoleum opens. 2 kilometer walk through ridiculous rain, or a $3 taxi. I think the taxi might get some business.
Compared to Hanoi, Japan seems so antiquated. Beautiful in its prestige, but not a place for backpackers. I loved it, however I feel our "backpacking" has only just begun. No more homeliness, no more Vince doing our washing and no more tap water and thong free showers.
The weather here is predicted to be over 30 everyday, with what appears to be mild monsoons (what a beautiful oxymoron), so I guess we will just have to hope that the rain is stronger than our sweat; lucky Jake isn't here. Too bad buddy. Tiger beer is tantalisingly cheap.
I will probably not have the time or the inclination to write again until this week of adventure is over, which I am dreading because I am so excited, so for all of you living vicariously through Tom and/or I, you better go back to your lives.
Brevity is the soul of wit, so I will leave it there until next time.