Last Hanoi Day…

Annnnnd I am ok with that. I’ve seen a lot.

Also, I’ve got to save some Hanoi for February. I’m coming back with a friend and need to have something new to experience at that time.

An easy sightseeing day today. Did some last minute laundry, and planned tomorrows escape.

Here’s todays pictures…

The Ambassador Pagoda. Its where the important Buddhists stay when they’re in Hanoi
Lots of living quarters here.

The Flag Tower. I didn’t and couldn’t go in. It’s part of the Military Museum that I also didn’t go to.
This was my goal today. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. An imperial or military installation has been on this site for 1000 years.
Of course the structures on site are whats left after being torn down, burned, bombed, and otherwise destroyed by many ruling political parties over 1000 years…
The site is a World Heritage site and rightfully so. There’s so little left in Hanoi it needs protection
You can almost see the display here of several sub-layers of construction
These women were slowly clearing rubble. Each shovel full was examined by an observer, prolly looking for anything interesting

These buildings are from the french colonial times
A small exhibit of findings. Most of the work of discovery and excavation is just beginning. They only got their UNESCO rating in 2010

You can only see the dragon design when light shines through
Every placard ends with “and then shit got destroyed by the new overlords”
Being a heavily fortified area in the middle of the city, this was a grand place for command bunkers

The positive air filtration system, made in the Soviet Union

Switchboard
This is only one of at least 2 bunkers. I mean, two were on the map, but cmon, there had to be more?
A commemorative drum
These are original? I dont think so, but the leaflet says they are. Hmmm
The strong yellow color says that this complex is an active Party building. It is.

The Ladies Pavillion, or princesses pagoda. The altar inside was missing its god. Nobody home for some reason

I’m sorry but I had to…..this is the toilet at a world heritage site. Someone needs to up their game.

The last relic at the citadel

I hope you can see the cannonball holes

I got really excited…What’s that!! When I got home, according to the map…a water tank. Lol
The black and white dog was really upset about the other dog’s purple ears
the train station. My ticket for Ninh Binh tomorrow was only us 3.60!

I was giddy with the train ticket buying experience, so I got this steamed bun…some kind of mystery meat and an egg yolk
When my bun was gone he wasn’t interested in me any more

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