Sunday, January 31, 2010

Come on a tour of Vietnam with me!

I'm getting itchy feet again .... So thought I'd take a mini tour of one of my favourite places, Hanoi Vietnam - and bring you all with me!!! ***Note: these are not professional pics - this is Vietnam through my eyes!! ***

Hope you enjoy!!

Lets begin at Hoan Kiem Lake (lake of the Restored Sword). I love the story of this lake - In the 15th century, Emporor Le Thai To was supposedly handed a magic sword by a divine tortoise living in the lake, helping him repel Chinese invaders. After the country had been liberated, the tortoise snatched back the sword and disapeared in the lake!!

This is the Rising Sun Bridge - lets all stop and take pics of each other!!


I like to visit this peaceful lake of a morning, and watch the elderly people doing tai chi. Its so serene, and such a contrast from the rest of the crazy/noisy city!






Here is Thap Rua (Tortoise Tower) - dedicated to this mythical creature! Its a three tiered tower. I think it looks very mystical!



Next stop Tran Quoc Pagoda. This is my favourite pagoda in Hanoi.
Founded in the 6th century, but relocated to present site in 17th century as the original site was prone to flooding. This area was formerly the Buddhist centre of ancient Hanoi.



The buddhas and lotus flowers are so crisp and white!



I actually have many pics of this Buddhism pagoda, but for some reason in all my pics the tower looks like it leans (just like Pisa). But I'm sure in reality it doesn't!!!!



I love to do a lot of walking when I'm in Vietnam. You can stumble across the most amazing temples, shops, beauty parlours, eateries .... etc.

So, its vitally important to allow time at the end of your day for some reflexology and manicure/pedicure. There are 100's of places to choose from, and very cheap!!

I always get a design on my toenails ....



Here are some cute ladybirds on my fingernails!! Love these :-)



Hope you have enjoyed the mini tour. I've had so much fun I'm gonna take another one next Sunday.
Hope to see you next week. ***Don't forget my lovely follower friends to enter my giveaway (see post below). Prize drawn on Wednesday***

33 comments:

parTea lady said...

Thanks for the wonderful tour of Vietnam via your lovely photos. I enjoyed the story of the Lake of the Restored Sword.

Loved your mani/pedi pics - cute designs and colors.

Thanks for visiting me at Tea and Talk.

Fab Frau said...

Fab pics - thanks for sharing. I've never been to Vietnam - I can see why you love going there! Your claws are cool!

{little.happy.things} said...

I like your mini tour! I never been to Vietnam, but my uncle just got back from there last week and said it's a beautiful place. Now I see why...

betty said...

Grazie carissima per avermi fatto viaggiare con te e per avermi fatto conoscere curiosità mai sentite...
ciao ciao

MadeInCanarias said...

Thanks for really great tour! Can't wait the next places we visit with you!

Sonic said...

Yikes! The colors in the mani pic looks so different from the pedi pic. Anyway, Vietnam looks really pretty... and old! That's okay, my Pops is old too and he's cool.

Sonic

Anonymous said...

What a great tour... fabulous pictures.

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Thanks for the tour, very interesting. Love Posie

Marina Mott said...

Wonderful pics from fabulous places!

Mami said...

Thanks for fantastic tour.YOu had pretty nail,dint you?

ProdigalWife said...

What lovely photos--I especially love the stone pagoda, amazing that they could just pick it up and move it to a "better" location!

Moon to Moon said...

Thank you for the tour :)

Love your nails, unfortunately nurses aren't allowed to decorate theirs (I have blue toenails though) :)

Unknown said...

Wow looks amazing, I would love to go there :)

daisychain said...

amazing photos, thanks for the tour x

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Patsy,
THank you for this fabulous tour. I have never been to Vietnam so this is the next best thing. I would love to see the people doing Tai Chi in the middle of all the hustle bustle.
Your fingernails and toes look so pretty.
Bon Sunday mon amie!

Kissed by an Angel said...

Gorgeous photos!!! I fancy the reflexology/pedicure and manicure too!!!
xxxx

Lorenza said...

Vietnam through you eyes is beautiful!
Thanks for the tour!
My mom loves your nails!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

My Grama's Soul said...

I have never been to Vietnam....but would love to go.

Thanks for the tour.

Blessings.

Jo

koralee said...

What a delightful tour..I would so love to visit one day. Hope your new week goes well. xo

Michela said...

Hi Karen! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures! Love your nails! xxx

Winchester Manor said...

Thank you for the fabulous tour, I would love to go one day! Your toes and finger nails look fabulous!!

beachvintage.com said...

Its really easy to see why you can't get enough of this place. Thanks for the tour.

Baino said...

Great tour. My girlf went there last year and loved it but it was VERY hot.Not sure I could cope with the humidity. Great to travel vicariously.

Pinecone Camp said...

I've always wanted to go to Vietnam. Thanks for posting these pics - looks magical!

deliciously organized said...

thanks for the tour! love the mystical tower!

akiko said...

Nice tour, thank you for sharing. Very interesting place and look foward to see another tour ××

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

Amazing! I want to go!!! I love Buddhas :)

Hausfrau said...

I have a photo of my kids with that bridge in the background. Love Hanoi!

Holly Lefevre said...

Those photos are lovely. I have never considered going to Vietnam...I really had no idea how gorgeous it is.

Lisa said...

I loved the tour! Thank you. I enjoyed watching your colorful nails!

If you are taking us on another tour next Sunday, please link with Unknown Mami at Sundays in My City. I believe many there want to join in the tour too.

Obee Designs said...

Hi Karen,
Hello new friend! Thanks for coming to visit and for being a follower:)I'm so happy to meet you!
I love your tour of Vietnam. Since I really don't like to fly, you gave me a bird's eye view into a country I would not get to see under normal circumstances. The buildings are so gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing.
I just love your assistant, Patsy. When I read your profile, at first I thought you really did have an assistant...I thought, Wow, you lucky girl. Then I realized I have two assistants!!! Who's lucky now??? HeHe
XoXo
Gail

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos and account :) Love it. I will definitely "tune in" next Sunday!

Libbie said...

I LOVE your nails! SO fun!