After many many hours of traveling, we finally made it to Destination #1: Hanoi, Vietnam!

Upon entering the country, we were surprised to find out that our pre-purchased visas were no longer valid. As Travel Codex puts it, “for those who traveled to Vietnam during that unfortunate time, they had to pay $135 for a one year, multiple-entry visa stamp.” $270 we didn’t plan on spending, but at least we’re in a taxi and on our way to our hotel...

This was not the scam.

We are eventually immersed in what can only be described as a cluster-fuck of motorcycles, cars, buses, vans, bikes, scooters, and people! As first it seemed like pure chaos, but after a few moments, a beautiful symphony arose and I was mesmerized by the self-governing efficiency of the masses.

Busy streets of Hanoi, Vietnam

Soon we're smack dab in the middle of Hanoi's Old Quarter and at our beautiful hotel, Essence d'Orient Hotel & Spa. And the staff, don't even get me started on the staff...these were some of the most helpful, kind people we've ever met!

That's my lovely wife, Francesca, waiting in the lobby

Once we got our room, we took much needed showers and a quick nap, then headed down to walk the streets of Vietnam for the first time. Our usual m.o. when traveling foreign lands is to walk and get lost. After an hour or so, we usually have our bearings. Hanoi was no different, the old quarter is comprised of a grid crowded streets lined with delicious eateries, bars, and shops...all easily navigable by foot or cyclo.

Late afternoon in Hanoi's Old Quarter

We eventually decide to check out the lake and find something to eat. Crossing the busy streets of Vietnam is not for the hesitant. You have to walk a straight predictable line. They say if your intimidated by the traffic, just close your eyes and go, all will work itself out on the journey across the road (please don't do this).

A Man and His Bike

Crossing the street we were suddenly stopped by this young man who apparently repaired shoes for a living. He proceeded to clean Francesca's fairly new Birkenstock in the middle of the street. Before I knew it, we were learning his life story while he super-glued cuttings of a "high performance tire from Thailand" onto her sandals.

The Implications

Wielding a fairly sizable knife he carved the rubber to perfectly fit the bottom of her trusty Birk. Before the situation continued, I asked how much this was going to cost. 900 000 VND the young man says (That's nearly $40 USD)!! PER SANDAL!!! To put that into perspective, a custom tailored dress shirt in Vietnam is around 300 000 VND. We were getting scammed.

I quickly asked him to stop as we did not have enough money to cover both sandals. Still holding the knife, he says we can go to an ATM and withdraw the remaining funds. After a bit of back and forth, we walked out of there with a little bit of rubber and a lot less dong...

But the day was not over.

We stayed positive, pushed forward, and ate some delicious Phở! Then found our way to Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

Banyan Shade Along the Lake

Making our way to the Temple of the Jade Mountain on an island within the lake.

Walls of the Temple

We then continue to have a wonderful time exploring the rest of the city and eating amazing food along the way!

A man talking to his friends on the street

Recharged when we needed to.

Vietnamese Coffee!!!

And ended the night with coffee born out of rodent poop, it was pretty good!

Weasel shit coffee

We may have spent way more than we budgeted for our first day in Vietnam, but I would still put this in the win column. Despite two hiccups, we had such a great time in Hanoi and met some really amazing people along the way.

Please learn from our mistakes, but if they do happen to you, don't let it ruin your day. Enjoy every moment you are there because it really is a beautiful city!

Bradford Tennyson
Travel Photographer

This is my first post here on Steemit and my first time travel-writing in general. I hope you enjoyed the story and images, more to come. Let me know if you have any questions about our trip!