Un Beau Jour

Today was all about the French Quarter.  One map we read said that it was in one place and then the next map said it was on the other side of the lake, then the lady on our front desk told us something different - but today, we found it.  Our plan was to wander down the east side of the lake and head into the French Quarter and a look at some "international" shops.

This is our journey

This was one of the first sights we saw....

A chap with his 'portable' TV

These three gorgeous ladies were sitting watching the world go by...

1...2....3.... and turn

The Huc Bridge

I pulled the selfie stick out again today and I think you'll agree that we managed to get a corker here.

This cute little van was parked quite erratically compared to the other parked cars - just giving us more proof that their are no rules..... none!

This lady was selling her wares around the lake.  You have to wonder just how many sales they make.

 Turtle Tower, which sits in the middle of the lake.  It is where the 200 year old turtle that lives in the lake goes to hide away from the tourists.

Thai Chi is very popular with the Vietnamese and they like to come down to the lake each morning and get a bit of exercise in.  This lady was either a little late for the group or she just wanted to put in that extra effort.

We're not too sure why the bottoms of the trees were painted white.  Some of the suggestions were maybe to stop the possums climbing up?  Do they even have possums in Vietnam?  Maybe it's to mark the trees are to be saved?  But then couldn't the paint harm them?  Maybe they are painted just in decoration? But what was/is the occasion?  So many questions - no answers.  If somebody knows could you please let me know.

Thank you (Cam on)

There were a lot of brides (and grooms) around today and the lake seems to be the place for the photos.

But then we passed this group and thought double wedding?  Triple wedding?  but the penny dropped when we noticed the backs of their dresses were all sewn together to make the dress fit......

Then we noticed that this bride was wearing her jeans under the dress.  Either she's a potential run away or she was a model.

We took a left turn away from the lake and headed into the French Quarter, passing this noble looking gentleman.  It is the likeness of Ly Thai To and he is standing in Indira Gandhi Park.  It commemorates the founder and first king of the Ly Dynasty, which ruled the land known today as Vietnam for more than two hundred years, from 1009 to 1225AD.  The dynasty was founded by Ly Cong Uan, who changed his name to Ly Thai To when he ascended the throne.  It was Ly Thai To who moved the capital to Thang Long, near present day Hanoi, and this move resulted in the eventual founding of Hanoi as a city and present day capital.  Buddhism was the state religion during the Ly dunes.  The Ly monarchs founded over 150 monasteries around the Thang Long region.  Thy Ly dynasty came to an end in 1225 when a shrew commoner by the name of Tran Canh married the last queen of the Ly dynasty and manoeuvred his way to the throne, founding the Tran Dynasty in the process.

Just a little bit of history for you there.

All this guy knows is that the square is a great place to skate!

We are well and truly into he French Quarter now with it's French inspired buildings and it's quaint Frenchy streets.

Even the hotels are named in French..... I secretly hope that this is just a hotel for cats.

The Opera House marks the centre of the French Quarter.  Doesn't it look lovely and grand?

Now..... as for any international shopping - you will be disappointed if you are looking for well known brands here.  Except of course for this one stop shop that sells Zara and H&M, Gap and Mango.  The shop is about a metre wide - so good luck trying things on in that change room!

The Frenchy is also home to all the book shops in Hanoi.

We had a lovely wander around and I purchased a Vietnamese phrase book - I'm going to master Vietnamese if it kills me!

Au revoir!