Published: 18.12.2024
This morning at 06:55, Ursula and I finally landed in Hanoi. After a long night on the plane, we were excited to explore the city – but first: immigration control. We stood in line for an hour while serious-looking officials in perfect uniforms checked our passports and visas. Ursula was impressed; I was less so.
When we arrived at the baggage claim, there was absolute chaos: suitcases of all colors, shapes, and sizes, but most of all – boxes. Plenty of them! Apparently, Vietnamese prefer to pack in boxes rather than suitcases. However, my wildly patterned suitcase was nowhere to be seen. While I waited, Ursula turned detective and kept a lookout – of course, completely unsuccessfully. After what felt like an eternity (it was surely 25 minutes, but hey, it feels like hours when you're tired!), my unique suitcase eventually appeared. At least its loud pattern makes it incredibly easy to spot.
With my suitcase in hand, we moved on: opened the ride-hailing app, ordered a ride, and off to the hotel. By 09:30, we were there, but unfortunately, I couldn't check into my room until at least 12:00. Doha and Thommy, the super-friendly hotel staff, first gave me a city map. After five minutes, it looked like a piece of art because they scribbled it full of tips, recommendations, and traffic rules. Speaking of streets: in Hanoi, there seem to be only two types of pedestrians – the daring survivalists and the completely new tourists who freeze in panic. Little spoiler: I'm Team “freeze in panic.”
With some time to spare, I decided to take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour to get a rough feel for the city. Sounds like a good idea, right? Not when jet lag suddenly hits. While Ursula cheerfully hopped around on the open deck, excitedly pointing at temples and colorful markets, I was battling an epic fight against fatigue. My eyes just wouldn't stay open, but I persevered – at least somehow.
At 12:30, I could finally get into my hotel room. And believe me, I didn't even fall over – I just threw myself onto the bed and slept a little. After this power nap, it was time to explore: a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, trying my first Banh Mi (a flavor explosion, honestly!), and wandering through the winding alleys of the city. Hanoi is alive – and how! Scooters, street vendors, and an atmosphere that is both chaotic and enchanting.
Now at 21:50, I'm back in bed while Ursula still has energy to spare. Tomorrow awaits a new day full of adventures, and I can hardly wait – hopefully this time with a little less jet lag!
Good night, dear ones!
