Persongalleriet #714: Hanoi, Thursday

March 16th, 2017.
When returning from my walk the day before, I had noticed there was another stretch of railroad tracks with houses on either side, just south of the main train station. This is where I started my day and after I walked that pretty short stretch, I walked another set of alleys a little further south from where I've walked before.

The guy behind the door in this photo, turned out to speak good English. We talked about the impracticality of living right on the railroad and went on to talk about Hanoi's traffic situation. He told me there were plans for a subway and also an elevated railway and that in 10 years, Hanoi might have a much better traffic situation. Now it's a city of 7-8 million with no other public transport than a few bus lines. That explains that there's a LOT of motorbikes! And actually quite a lot of cars also. I have met quite a few Vietnamese people on the streets who complain to me about all these bikes.

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #711: Hanoi, Monday

March 13th, 2017.
Sunday became a day of rest. Although I did some photography work on the computer, I didn't take the camera out at all. In fact I didn't even leave the hotel until it was time to get some dinner in the evening. And even then I bought a pizza to go and ate it in the room. I felt I really needed  the rest, not just from taking pictures, but also from the intensity of the street. The sounds, the smells, the crowds, the heat, the fumes.

Monday morning I felt reinvigorated and went on a walk through the Old Town towards Cho Dong Xuan market. It was the normal very light drizzle, feeling more like the air humidity has passed 100% rather than actual rain.

A Cosy Spot.

Look Left.

At the Welder's Shop.

At Cho Dong Xuan.

Market Blues.

I had a lunch of the famous Bun Cha. Barbequed pork in a noodle soup wih garlic and chili and fresh herbs. Daaaa-licious!  :-)

For the afternoon walk I chose to go back once more to what has become a favourite neighborhood. South and southwest of my hotel, there are a lot of narrow winding alleys, with almost no tourists at all. Well, I was there, so one! 

The Stretch.

Raw Red Bricks.

The tourist attraction located in this part of Hanoi is the Temple of Literature, and I passed by it gates at the end of the day:

At the Gates.

I've passed by a couple of times now and it looks really nice. I decided to be a good tourist and visit it the next day!

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #709: Hanoi, Friday

March 10th, 2017.
Stayed in my room until lunch since yr.no had promised sun during the afternoon and I wanted to reserve my energy.

A bit of joy to start off with!

At first it was as cloudy as ever, but then the sun actually came out. A little half-heartedly, but still. I got a golden hour in the Old Town, but with a very soft touch. Sort of mixed with a little milk.

I dug out the little flash that came with the camera for this shot.

At the Centre of Attention.

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #708: Hanoi, Thursday

March 9th, 2017.
Today I took a walk along the narrow train tracks that go through central Hanoi. I've seen the photos how people live right on the tracks and wanted to see with my own eyes.

After about a kilometer, I left the tracks and got into the northern part of the Old Town.

Got this super yummy lunch from one of those portable mini kitchens n an alley. If I had the power to give out Michelin stars I would have! Amazing taste and freshness! And it only cost about 1 euro...

After lunch I happened onto Chợ Đồng Xuân market, the largest indoor market in Hanoi.

Chess game at the market.

I reconnected with the railroad at Ga Long Bien bridge, which spans the Red River.

The bridge has a bike lane in each direction as well.

A small arm or maybe backwater of the river.

Street Barber.

Walked back to the hotel and a much needed rest after a five and half hour walk.

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #705: Hong Kong - Hanoi

March 6th, 2017.
A morning photo walk in Hong Kong and in the evening another one  in Hanoi.
It's not the first time I've shot street in two countries on the same day. I can recall Copenhagen+Malmö last summer, though I only shot a few pictures in Malmö that time.

Although it was only a short flight between the two cities (1h20m), they are very different. Hong Kong vertical, Hanoi horisontal. HK has a very modern feel to it, while Hanoi feels ancient in some way. Just two things that come to mind.

At the point of writing this blog post, I've been here in Hanoi for just under 24 hours. What I can say so far is just: WOW! My hotel lies smack dab in the middle of market alleys teeming with life. Soo, soo perfect for the streetie! If I only moved two blocks in each direction for the entire stay, I still would have all the subjects I could dream of. And all the delicious street food I would need!  :-)

600 grams of chicken.

My first meal in Hanoi: Noodle soup with tomatoes and other vegetables and meat which turned out to be pig's tongue.

Everybody's snacking!  :-)

Be well, everybody!

Niklas