South to North... the easy way this time

Hello from Hanoi... Having given Saigon a now-traditional sendoff from the roof bar of the Rex last night (the other half claims to be a Saigon local now), we bid farewell to our home at the Continental and set foot on an Asian domestic airline. Despite predictions of doom from some (mostly pilots, what do they know?), and despite some of my own less-than-inspiring experiences on similar flights, VietJet Saigon-Hanoi was in fact an extremely adequate way to travel... no real complaints about service, legroom, timings, or falling in a burning wreck from the sky... in fact it puts Jetstar NZ to shame, not that it is hard. Certainly it's not first class on Emirates, but it gets the job done. And having a Kiwi captain is nice, even if some may say he was only there because he failed to get a job on a real airline...

So then into Hanoi, a change from Saigon in so many ways...  Next surprise for my young lady was the night so generously arranged for us (in exchange for a few words in a magazine by yours truly) by our dear friend in Hong Kong... staying at the Sofitel Metropole Legend Hanoi... check it out... really...

http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1555-sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi/index.shtml

Again a haunt of the great Graham Greene and various other famous faces during the various wars and periods of unrest and intrigue in between (Charlie Chaplain got engaged here, Somerset Maughan wrote here, Jane Fonda and Joan Baez grew armpit hair and hugged trees here during the war while the "fought The Man") the Sofitel Hanoi is nothing really short of stunning. Puts the faded Continental (of the same era, less the amazing restoration and modern addtions) to shame. Totally luxurious, incredibly well restored and so beautiful in every way. I can only hope some vestiges of Graham Greene talent will rub off (or the looks of Brad and Angelina who stayed here last year).

The golden glow of a wonderful meal at one of the three restaurants and French wine in the Bamboo Bar has been cracked by reality however, having just seen a story of our latest loss in Afghanistan. Not many words can really follow that up, just that empty, hollow feeling and bitter twinge of emotion that comes with this sort of news. Prayers to those that loved them. There but for the grace of God go many of us...