It has been raining since yesterday afternoon.
We were planning to visit the only mesjid they have in Hanoi, but due to the rain, we just stayed in the hotel.
I have finished packing. I checked to the receptionist whether she has received our room payment through bank transfer.
We checked out at 11 AM. The flights went well. We enjoyed our time at Changi Airport. I checked my e-mails.
We said goodbye after getting our baggages back. Glad to be home again. Took a taxi to my sister’s place.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Hanoi trip, Day 6 (Sept 11, 2009)
The last day of training, had two cases (gatrectomy and rectal cancer). The professor didn’t speak English and his assistant wasn’t fluent so we really had difficulties that day.
After the case, we had closing ceremonial and hand over of the certificates. We went back to hotel to get refreshed then go to the restaurant.
In the afternoon, I called SQ office to change the flight. We’d like to spend more time at Changi airport. So our new flight from Singapore will be at 9.20 PM instead of 6.45 PM.
Farewell dinner was at a Japanese Restaurant (Hoa Anh Dao) located at 17 Trang Thi Street. It was recommended by Prof. Giang. We had sashimi, fresh leaves, grilled fish and noodle. They had sake too.
Total cost: VND 8,742,000 (USD 432)
It was raining since afternoon. I just stayed in the hotel to pack and rest that evening. I think the rest were out again.
After the case, we had closing ceremonial and hand over of the certificates. We went back to hotel to get refreshed then go to the restaurant.
In the afternoon, I called SQ office to change the flight. We’d like to spend more time at Changi airport. So our new flight from Singapore will be at 9.20 PM instead of 6.45 PM.
Farewell dinner was at a Japanese Restaurant (Hoa Anh Dao) located at 17 Trang Thi Street. It was recommended by Prof. Giang. We had sashimi, fresh leaves, grilled fish and noodle. They had sake too.
Total cost: VND 8,742,000 (USD 432)
It was raining since afternoon. I just stayed in the hotel to pack and rest that evening. I think the rest were out again.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Hanoi Trip, Day 5 (Sept 10, 2009)
Had two cases today. One was adrenalinectomy and another one was hepatectomy. They did it very fast, so we finished early that day. We went back to hotel and took some rest.
Tonight we decided to go to see water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District. It’s just across the lake. We were late to catch 18.30 show, so we just went around the area. At 19.30, we went back and bought entrance tickets. Ticket counter opens 30 minutes before the show.
For First class, it cost VND 60,000 per person and for Second Class is VND 40,000
Camera for taking picture is charged for VND 12,000 and handycam cost VND 60,000.
It was a unique performance. There’s a pond where the puppets are played on the water. The stick to control them in the water.
Here’s the programs:
1. Raising the Festival Flag
2. Chu Teu or the narrator
3. Dragon Dance (Four dragons dancing on the surface of water)
4. On a buffalo with a flute
5. Agriculture
6. Catching the frogs
7. Rearing ducks and catching foxes: I love this scene
8. Fishing
9. Harvest festival
10. Lion dance
11. Phoenix dance: I also love this scene. Two Phoenix, male and female, are dancing, and then they produced an egg. It hatched, came out their offspring, danced together with its parents.
12. Legend of the Restored Sword.
13. Children playing in the water
14. Boat racing
15. Unicorns play with a ball
16. Fairy dance
17. Dance of four Holy Animals
We had our late dinner at Little Kitchen Cafe again.
Tonight we decided to go to see water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District. It’s just across the lake. We were late to catch 18.30 show, so we just went around the area. At 19.30, we went back and bought entrance tickets. Ticket counter opens 30 minutes before the show.
For First class, it cost VND 60,000 per person and for Second Class is VND 40,000
Camera for taking picture is charged for VND 12,000 and handycam cost VND 60,000.
It was a unique performance. There’s a pond where the puppets are played on the water. The stick to control them in the water.
Here’s the programs:
1. Raising the Festival Flag
2. Chu Teu or the narrator
3. Dragon Dance (Four dragons dancing on the surface of water)
4. On a buffalo with a flute
5. Agriculture
6. Catching the frogs
7. Rearing ducks and catching foxes: I love this scene
8. Fishing
9. Harvest festival
10. Lion dance
11. Phoenix dance: I also love this scene. Two Phoenix, male and female, are dancing, and then they produced an egg. It hatched, came out their offspring, danced together with its parents.
12. Legend of the Restored Sword.
13. Children playing in the water
14. Boat racing
15. Unicorns play with a ball
16. Fairy dance
17. Dance of four Holy Animals
We had our late dinner at Little Kitchen Cafe again.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Trip to Hanoi, Day 4 (Sept 9, 2009)
Today, the vice president of the hospital is having an important event, the launching of ELSA 2010 website at 11 AM. There were several surgeries but they are urological cases which my surgeons didn't cover in Indonesia.
We went a bit late to the hospital, because it was just to attend the event.
The event was topped by opening two bottles of champagne. Cool.....
So, what to do now? The day was still early, the ceremony ended at 12.30 PM.
We stopped a van taxi, and one of my clients told him to take us to Military Museum. Too bad, it was closed because it was lunch time, they open again at 1.30 PM. Miscommunication happened with the young taxi driver. When we told him that the museum was close, he went berserk. He said he didn’t know that the museum closes. We said it was alright; we were okay and will wait. We presumed that this guy thought we wouldn’t pay for his service just because of that. We went to another museum, but it was close too.
Later on, we had conversation with our taxi driver. His name is Van Anh, 23 years old, he studies English at a course place. Sometimes when we laughed, he thought we made fun of him, he asked us why we were laughing at suspicious tone. The whole day, we rode his taxi. He didn’t mind to wait for us and took us from one place to another.
So, while wait for the museums to open, we went to Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam). Entrance fee is VND 20,000 and a brochure cost VND 3,000. It was dedicated to sages and Confucian scholars and used for training talented men for the nation.. We saw tombs with turtle heads as marker. In the middle of the yard, there is a big pond where live turtles too. At souvenir store, I bought Hanoi Map. The one we had from our hotel was not complete.
After visit to the temple, we asked Van Anh if there’s another mall in Hanoi beside Vincom Mall. He brought us to Tran Tien Mall. It was smaller than Vincom. My client was looking for money exchange place. He found a bank on the ground floor. An old lady outside the bank offered us higher rate, but it was too late. She was not official, same like my souvenir shop.
It was time to go back to Military Museums (address: 28 A Dien Bien Phu Road, Ba Dinh District). Entrance fee is VND 20,000 per person and to bring camera in we must pay VND 20,000. We left our bags with the officer at the entrance gate. Hmmm, don’t they know that we can still take pictures using our Blackberry and our cell phones? It was fascinating. We saw much stuff from the war, even plane wreckages, US helicopters, missiles, etc. The weather was very hot. It was 3 PM so 3 hours to go before we can break our fasting. We can do it!
We’d like to continue to Mouseleum while my other client would like to go back to hotel because he was tired. But then we changed our mind. We were tired too. Better spent the time resting in the hotel.
In the evening, I took them to a restaurant by the lake. It was in the same building with the café we went on the second evening, but it was on second floor. We were attempted by the dishes pictures they display on the wall next to the stairs. It serves Vietnamese dishes. We ordered vegetable spring roll, roasted duck, sautéed vegetable, fried fish Hanoi Style, water spinach and tofu. We canceled our steam rice because we ordered so much. They had live traditional music. The singer asked where we are from, then she sang famous “Bengawan Solo” song. She gave each of us a rose. Very nice (of course at the end we tipped her).
We went a bit late to the hospital, because it was just to attend the event.
The event was topped by opening two bottles of champagne. Cool.....
So, what to do now? The day was still early, the ceremony ended at 12.30 PM.
We stopped a van taxi, and one of my clients told him to take us to Military Museum. Too bad, it was closed because it was lunch time, they open again at 1.30 PM. Miscommunication happened with the young taxi driver. When we told him that the museum was close, he went berserk. He said he didn’t know that the museum closes. We said it was alright; we were okay and will wait. We presumed that this guy thought we wouldn’t pay for his service just because of that. We went to another museum, but it was close too.
Later on, we had conversation with our taxi driver. His name is Van Anh, 23 years old, he studies English at a course place. Sometimes when we laughed, he thought we made fun of him, he asked us why we were laughing at suspicious tone. The whole day, we rode his taxi. He didn’t mind to wait for us and took us from one place to another.
So, while wait for the museums to open, we went to Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam). Entrance fee is VND 20,000 and a brochure cost VND 3,000. It was dedicated to sages and Confucian scholars and used for training talented men for the nation.. We saw tombs with turtle heads as marker. In the middle of the yard, there is a big pond where live turtles too. At souvenir store, I bought Hanoi Map. The one we had from our hotel was not complete.
After visit to the temple, we asked Van Anh if there’s another mall in Hanoi beside Vincom Mall. He brought us to Tran Tien Mall. It was smaller than Vincom. My client was looking for money exchange place. He found a bank on the ground floor. An old lady outside the bank offered us higher rate, but it was too late. She was not official, same like my souvenir shop.
It was time to go back to Military Museums (address: 28 A Dien Bien Phu Road, Ba Dinh District). Entrance fee is VND 20,000 per person and to bring camera in we must pay VND 20,000. We left our bags with the officer at the entrance gate. Hmmm, don’t they know that we can still take pictures using our Blackberry and our cell phones? It was fascinating. We saw much stuff from the war, even plane wreckages, US helicopters, missiles, etc. The weather was very hot. It was 3 PM so 3 hours to go before we can break our fasting. We can do it!
We’d like to continue to Mouseleum while my other client would like to go back to hotel because he was tired. But then we changed our mind. We were tired too. Better spent the time resting in the hotel.
In the evening, I took them to a restaurant by the lake. It was in the same building with the café we went on the second evening, but it was on second floor. We were attempted by the dishes pictures they display on the wall next to the stairs. It serves Vietnamese dishes. We ordered vegetable spring roll, roasted duck, sautéed vegetable, fried fish Hanoi Style, water spinach and tofu. We canceled our steam rice because we ordered so much. They had live traditional music. The singer asked where we are from, then she sang famous “Bengawan Solo” song. She gave each of us a rose. Very nice (of course at the end we tipped her).
Friday, September 11, 2009
Trip to Hanoi, Day 3 (Sept 8, 2009)
Today had four cases. For me, number of cases was considered high! Still felt tired and sleepy in the afternoon. After had my early breakfast this morning, I didn't continue my sleep. I checked and replied office e-mails.
The surgeons in this hospital are more fluent speaking French than speaking English. Maybe because of historical relations, and also at the last one year of their study, they go to France to finish the study.
At the end of the day, we went back to the lake. I bought pink dress for my niece. I exchanged money at the store, somehow they offered better rate (USD 1 = VND 18,000) while at the Tourist Info Shop, the rate was USD 1 = 17,270. The rate in our hotel was still better, USD 1 = 17,820
Other souvenirs I bought
A lady from Malaysia said that she even got better than mine. This morning she exchanged money at gold shop, the rate was VND 18,300!
We had dinner at KFC. Oh my, we went far from Indonesia, and here we only had KFC??? Can't complain to my clients, lol. Unfortunately, they forgot to include one of my client’s order. He got angry and complaint to the staff and he got his meal, free of charge.
We asked a man whether there's a mall in the area. He informed about Vincom Mall, so we went there. He suggested to take Manlinh taxi because it’s more safe, in terms of driver and charges.
Went there, hung out at Highland Coffee and had some coffee there. Discussed several things with my client then we went to hotel. I was online for awhile then went to bed.
The surgeons in this hospital are more fluent speaking French than speaking English. Maybe because of historical relations, and also at the last one year of their study, they go to France to finish the study.
At the end of the day, we went back to the lake. I bought pink dress for my niece. I exchanged money at the store, somehow they offered better rate (USD 1 = VND 18,000) while at the Tourist Info Shop, the rate was USD 1 = 17,270. The rate in our hotel was still better, USD 1 = 17,820
Other souvenirs I bought
A lady from Malaysia said that she even got better than mine. This morning she exchanged money at gold shop, the rate was VND 18,300!
We had dinner at KFC. Oh my, we went far from Indonesia, and here we only had KFC??? Can't complain to my clients, lol. Unfortunately, they forgot to include one of my client’s order. He got angry and complaint to the staff and he got his meal, free of charge.
We asked a man whether there's a mall in the area. He informed about Vincom Mall, so we went there. He suggested to take Manlinh taxi because it’s more safe, in terms of driver and charges.
Went there, hung out at Highland Coffee and had some coffee there. Discussed several things with my client then we went to hotel. I was online for awhile then went to bed.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Trip to Hanoi, Day 2 (Sept 7, 2009)
First day of training.
My colleague picked us up at 7 AM. Some of us went with taxi, some of us were with my
colleague. The hospital was not that far from hotel. We were lucky we went out from hotel early, otherwise we may get in traffic jam.We attended morning meeting for 1 hour and then introduced to vice director of hospital who is also chief of laparoscopy center.
Had two cases on the first day. The weather was very hot. Even we sweat in the O.R.The hospital has old buildings, combined with their new ones. How it operates is impressive! With over 20 O.R., performs more than 100 cases a day!
The vice director led the surgeries. He suggested us to visit a lake where there was a mummy turtle in the island in the middle of the lake.
At 3 PM, we had a meeting to discuss next day cases.
We didn't go straight to hotel. Instead, my other colleague walked us to the lake. It's called Hoan Kiem lake. Wasn't far from hospital. We had a chance to buy some souvenirs on the way to the lake. I bought a cap (VND 20,000) and three t-shirts with traditional embroidery (VND 110,000). Vietnamese prefer to trade using USD or VND.
T-Shirts
Bargaining
We took some pictures around the lake. Street sellers offered us same cap and t-shirts. We went further more and found stores with better stuffs. We bought key chains, fridge magnets, small embroidered purse, bracelets.
Near the lake, there's Water Puppet Theatre.
At 5.30 PM, we hung out at this cafe (Little Kitchen) because we need to break our fasting. We ordered fresh young coconut and meals. Total cost for 5 people: VND 985,000. Taste some of the meals were just standard, but I love the cakes and variety of coffee beverages they have.
Hanoi has so many cafes to hang out. I can see the influence of Europe is strong here.
Near the cafe, there are two ice cream corner. The price was soooo cheap! Range VND 3,500-8,500.
My colleague picked us up at 7 AM. Some of us went with taxi, some of us were with my
colleague. The hospital was not that far from hotel. We were lucky we went out from hotel early, otherwise we may get in traffic jam.We attended morning meeting for 1 hour and then introduced to vice director of hospital who is also chief of laparoscopy center.
Had two cases on the first day. The weather was very hot. Even we sweat in the O.R.The hospital has old buildings, combined with their new ones. How it operates is impressive! With over 20 O.R., performs more than 100 cases a day!
The vice director led the surgeries. He suggested us to visit a lake where there was a mummy turtle in the island in the middle of the lake.
At 3 PM, we had a meeting to discuss next day cases.
We didn't go straight to hotel. Instead, my other colleague walked us to the lake. It's called Hoan Kiem lake. Wasn't far from hospital. We had a chance to buy some souvenirs on the way to the lake. I bought a cap (VND 20,000) and three t-shirts with traditional embroidery (VND 110,000). Vietnamese prefer to trade using USD or VND.
T-Shirts
Bargaining
We took some pictures around the lake. Street sellers offered us same cap and t-shirts. We went further more and found stores with better stuffs. We bought key chains, fridge magnets, small embroidered purse, bracelets.
Near the lake, there's Water Puppet Theatre.
At 5.30 PM, we hung out at this cafe (Little Kitchen) because we need to break our fasting. We ordered fresh young coconut and meals. Total cost for 5 people: VND 985,000. Taste some of the meals were just standard, but I love the cakes and variety of coffee beverages they have.
Hanoi has so many cafes to hang out. I can see the influence of Europe is strong here.
Near the cafe, there are two ice cream corner. The price was soooo cheap! Range VND 3,500-8,500.
Trip to Hanoi, Day 1 (Sept 6, 2009)
This would be my first trip to Vietnam, to Hanoi, to accompany my client for five days training.
The night before, I didn't have my sleep cos it was 11 PM and I had to wake up at 2 AM, so I just went online.I departed from Jakarta on Sept 6, 2009, using SQ, at 6.15 AM. It was very early in the morning because I arrived at the airport at 4.15 AM! It was raining. Together with my 4 clients, we started the journey.
We transited in Singapore (8.15 AM Jakarta time, and departed to Hanoi at 10 AM Singapore time). It was still raining in Singapore.After we boarded in the plane, we waited quite sometime because one of the engine had a problem. They tried to fix it, but after that they decided to change the aircraft. Our flight was delayed for 3 hours due to that.We moved to another gate (from E28 to F59, it was far!), SQ provided refreshment but I couldn't eat it because I'm fasting! I called up Hanoi Horison Hotel to reschedule hotel pick up at the airport.It was tiring, maybe because of last night and also my back started to hurt again. I carried the backpack containing my heavy office laptop here and there.
I slept all the way through in the plane. Didn't listen to music or watch movies, or enjoy the food. We landed in Hanoi airport at 3.15 PM.
The driver from hotel was already there. We exchanged our money and bought SIM card for our mobile phones first. The money exchanger didn't accept my Indonesian Rupiah. The exchange rate was USD 1 = VND 17,818.The VinaPhone SIM card cost VND 300,000, includes new mobile number and the credit for international call, local call and local text message.
It took 1.5 hours from airport to our hotel. You can see rice field surrounding the area of airport.
We stayed at Hanoi Horison Hotel. Rate per night: USD 119 nett. I asked to hotel staff whether I can exchange my IDR there, I received same answer: not accepted! Oh man, what am I gonna do with IDR 2 million?
The hotel staff said they prefer to receive USD due to lots of zeros in their money. It made me smile :)
We refreshed ourselves: took a bath, change cloth, broke our fasting. Last night I managed to browsed restaurants that provide halal food. I took my clients to Nisa restaurant for dinner. It's located at 90 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem. it serves Malaysian food and Indian food. Total cost: VND 645,000.
I used van taxi which can accommodate 6 people. The steer is at the left. They can give us receipt.
Went back to hotel to take a rest, get ready for tomorrow.
The best thing of this hotel is that they provide sahur menu. We asked them to serve the meal at 3.30 AM.
The night before, I didn't have my sleep cos it was 11 PM and I had to wake up at 2 AM, so I just went online.I departed from Jakarta on Sept 6, 2009, using SQ, at 6.15 AM. It was very early in the morning because I arrived at the airport at 4.15 AM! It was raining. Together with my 4 clients, we started the journey.
We transited in Singapore (8.15 AM Jakarta time, and departed to Hanoi at 10 AM Singapore time). It was still raining in Singapore.After we boarded in the plane, we waited quite sometime because one of the engine had a problem. They tried to fix it, but after that they decided to change the aircraft. Our flight was delayed for 3 hours due to that.We moved to another gate (from E28 to F59, it was far!), SQ provided refreshment but I couldn't eat it because I'm fasting! I called up Hanoi Horison Hotel to reschedule hotel pick up at the airport.It was tiring, maybe because of last night and also my back started to hurt again. I carried the backpack containing my heavy office laptop here and there.
I slept all the way through in the plane. Didn't listen to music or watch movies, or enjoy the food. We landed in Hanoi airport at 3.15 PM.
The driver from hotel was already there. We exchanged our money and bought SIM card for our mobile phones first. The money exchanger didn't accept my Indonesian Rupiah. The exchange rate was USD 1 = VND 17,818.The VinaPhone SIM card cost VND 300,000, includes new mobile number and the credit for international call, local call and local text message.
It took 1.5 hours from airport to our hotel. You can see rice field surrounding the area of airport.
We stayed at Hanoi Horison Hotel. Rate per night: USD 119 nett. I asked to hotel staff whether I can exchange my IDR there, I received same answer: not accepted! Oh man, what am I gonna do with IDR 2 million?
The hotel staff said they prefer to receive USD due to lots of zeros in their money. It made me smile :)
We refreshed ourselves: took a bath, change cloth, broke our fasting. Last night I managed to browsed restaurants that provide halal food. I took my clients to Nisa restaurant for dinner. It's located at 90 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem. it serves Malaysian food and Indian food. Total cost: VND 645,000.
I used van taxi which can accommodate 6 people. The steer is at the left. They can give us receipt.
Went back to hotel to take a rest, get ready for tomorrow.
The best thing of this hotel is that they provide sahur menu. We asked them to serve the meal at 3.30 AM.
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