Hanoi

Ok, so some of you know that the last month I've been consumed at work with organising a conference in Hanoi for all the Asia Partners at our firm. When I was asked to do it I thought it sounded like a pretty cush job that would culminate in a fun filled weekend in Hanoi. Apparently there's more to organising a conference than just booking a venue and telling people to show up! Especially if you are organising said conference for the Partners (yes, capital P!) of a fancy-schmancy law firm.

The upside to fancy-schmancy Partners is that I did get to stay in Hanoi's most beautiful and historical hotel, the Sofitel Metropole. If you are ever feeling VERY wealthy in Hanoi I couldn't recommend it more. The conference went reasonably well with some predictable (and some unpredictable!) drama from the Partners. Anyway enough said about them.

Steve flew down for the weekend and we got to spend a lovely Sunday wandering around Hanoi's old-quarter. There is a beautiful little lake in the center surrounded by a lush little park. We spent a few hours wandering around there and enjoying an ice-cream while we sat and watched Hanoi's young couples enjoying their Sunday canoodling by the lake. In one of the pictures you can see what the electrical like situation in on Hanoi's streets and it's a little scary! The lines are low enough to touch (should you be that stupid!) and multitudinous!

Words can't really do it justice so I'll just let you enjoy the photos. A funny thing about having a weekend away from the kids is that they truly occupy your thoughts almost as much as if they were with you. Maybe particularly so because it was Children's Day on Sunday and Hanoi made a pretty big deal out of it. We actually felt a little bereft...

PS - the food was AMAZING!!