04 Dec. 2011: GOOD MORNING VIETNAM! #1 of 3

Yesterday was 15 hours in transit, but made better because we had loaded up on favourite western foods at the HoJo. Pat had missed potatoes, for me it was ice cream, and fresh fruit for both. Hotel bus to Shanghai Pudong Airport, smooth flight on DragonAir (with another great meal) to Hong Kong airport. Last time we were in HK was 1998 in blue skies; it is now the 5th worst air in China. 3 hours playing cards and plane-spotting and a 1 1/2 hour jump to Hanoi Airport (also Dragon, also great meal). Immigration guy with visa stamp welcomes us with "Give me fifty dollars".

Car ride into Hanoi at first reminds me of old Soviet days, with ramshackle fences, dim light, and again no traffic rules. But the swarms of motorbikes is incredible, by the tens of thousands like being inside a bee hive.Takes a while to maneuver the Saturday night streets of thrill-seekers on 2 wheels, but finally the Hanoi Liberty Hotel, $11 online for a comfy room (90 sq.ft.). Best feature is 24" flat TV with familiar channels like Discovery and CNN, now that we are out of China. Trouble getting an internet connection, greasy breakfast, and then out on the absolutely jammed and exciting streets. Good Morning, Vietnam!