Here we are again!

Sunday December 15th

We flew with 60kg baggage between us, to Hanoi via Doha with Qatar Airways arriving early afternoon on Friday December 13th.  Roughly 20 kg of the baggage was seasonal fare, Amanda and Andrew's shopping, and gifts sent to us from family in the US and family in the UK for us to courier here!

Yesterday was spent acclimatising, unfortunately the air quality was very poor, so we had to wear face masks to walk outside. Michael has not stayed in this area before so we took him up the main route to Tu Noc Vân, Amanda and I left Orlo to guide his Grandad back to the apartment after a coffee in Joma, and Amanda and I went for a pedicure to the Lancy Spa. They always do a good job there. After lunch back at home Michael took himself off for a walk while Orlo and I had a craft and chat session. He was French knitting and I was knitting his sweater.  Michael eventually arrived back  and we continued with a family evening at home with a take away from Bao Wow. 

        

Today, Amanda Orlo and I were booked for a notebook making workshop with the Zo  paper project, located down in the Old Quarter close to the St Joseph's Cathedral.  A very interesting two hours with a presentation about the paper making and the project followed by folding, cutting and sewing our notebooks. A new experience for all of us.  This project is reviving the tradition of Zo paper making both in Hanoi and in two other provinces. They are making jewellery, lampshades and other  non traditional items as well as notebooks, cards, paper etc which they sell from a small shop in the Old Quarter.

                        

In the meantime Michael went off exploring the old French Quarter south of Hoan Kien Lake and managed to find his way back to us despite not having a compass! By this time Andrew had joined us and we set off for a short walk through the narrow streets to the  Hanoi Social Club for lunch. Definitely not as grand as it sounds, but they serve decent beer and good food. We ate a variety of salads accompanied by a beer. Today the air quality is much better, we can see across the lake and this afternoon the sun is coming through.

             
Mandarins are in season

Time for a cuppa then maybe a short walk along the lake