Hanoi

Day 57

We actually took it fairly easy today as there were only a couple of tourist attractions of sorts left to see. All the main sights are within walking a 5k walking distance. The only problem is crossing the road.  I know I have mentioned it before but unless you have been here it is difficult to explain.  Once you have put two feet out on the road there is no going back as mopeds will drive behind you.  Once you have stepped out you are fully committed, no going back.

You also have to watch out for the power cables, these things hang down at about 4 feet off the ground. You hang yourself and get a electrocuted at the same time.

The citadel that overlooks down town Hanoi

The Hoa Lo Prison was our next stop.  This was built by the French to hold Vietnamese revolutionary fighters when they occupied the country.  The french were a brutal lot, they kept the prisoners shackled in chains.  The rooms were dark and prisoners often saw no light for weeks at a time.

Later on the prison was used to keep American POWs and by the looks of it they were not kept in quite so harsh conditions.  One of the American prisoners here was John McCain. After he was released, he  went back to the states he became a senator and came very close to being president.

McCain being pulled from the water after being shot down.

His jump suit.

Statue of former king