Hanoi again

I rise at 7:30. And head almost immediately downstairs for breakfast. What a diligent boy I am. That’s what I hope. I’m still, subconsciously, trying to be the perfect grammar school boy. Just failing very badly. Like at everything else.

“You are a perfect twat, Dad.” I hear in my head. Can’t escape the kids

A Vietnamese breakfast today. An omelette with bacon, sausage and toast. Not sure what’s Vietnamese about it. But they call it that and I’m not up for arguing this early in the day.

"There's nothing very Asian about that." Mikey remarks. He's not wrong.

It doesn't take long for a taxi to whisk us to the airport. With my pushy-in boarding, we're airside in a jiffy. I hope Mikey appreciates the world of privilege I’m exposing him to.

“Do you appreciate the world of privilege I’m exposing you to?”

“Yes. Any other questions?”

Why are you such a snarky bastard? I say that really loudly. In my head. Wouldn’t want to spoil the mood.

Our flight is delayed 15 minutes. We get ourselves a beer. Each, obviously. Just a tin of Bia Saigon. We manage to resist the lure of the Heineken bar.

The flight is full but short. Our bags come straight off and before you know it, we're in our next cab. Cruising along towards the Old Quarter.

Once checked in, with Mikey feeling peckish – now there’s a surprise – and we go in search of food. Which he finds at a bánh mi place on the corner. Along with a beer. I only opt for the latter.

A Korean pair and a couple of Kiwis are sitting next to us and we chat a little.

We ask the barmaid for directions to a supermarket. Which is where we head. It's not that far, but I'm pretty sweaty by the time we get there. I load up with the essentials: vodka, soju and fruit. Have to keep healthy. The array of soju is very impressive.

I'm even sweatier when I get to my room. It takes a while for the aircon to get the temperature down a bearable level. Just after which, the power goes off. Fucking magic.

As I'm on the 7th floor, I'm sort of stuck. No way I'm walking up that many stairs. Mikey is younger and fitter than me. So it's no problem for him, despite being a floor higher.

What can I do? I know: fiddle with my phone.

       The power is off in the hotel. And my room is on the 7th floor. Great.
Alexei: Hopefully, the power comes on soon again. Don't they have a generator?
       Obviously not.
       Power is back. I'm off to the pub.
Alexei: Why was the power off?
Did the hotel not have enough willies for the bills?
       Very funny.
       I just hope the power doesn't go off again when I'm in the lift.
Alexei: Yeah. Maybe tip the hotel some cocks so they can pay for the electric bill
Alexei: Did you mention to Mikey yet that the currency means knob?
       No. I think he's well aware.
Alexei: Mention it to him. Does dong also mean knob in Vietnamese?
       No. Obviously not.
Alexei: Are they aware of what it means in English?
       Probably. Some smartarses will have brought it up

I watch some Phoenix Nights on my laptop to pass the time until the power comes back on. Which it does. Then after 20 minutes cuts out again.

After an hour or two the power returns. I'm quite wary of getting in the lift, in case it cuts out while I'm in there. I head over to New Gentry, where I have a few beers.

Starting with:

Da Kao Double IPA, 7.7% ABV, 119K for 33cl
Not too sludgy. Quite pleasant hop flavour. And full of alcoholy goodness. It does the job. Though, at 7.7%, it is a bit light for a DIPA.

That doesn’t last too long. Think I’ll try another DIPA.

Mekong Brewing Albin Rhino Double IPA, 9% ABV, 129K for 33cl
Happily, sludge free. Quite a lot of American hops. Now there’s a surprise. More oomph to this one, at 9% ABV.

Mikey turns up later and has one of the cheap "commercial" beers. I have a Heart of Darkness beer just so I can send a photo to Lexxie.

Heart of Darkness Kurtz’s Insane IPA, 7.1%, 129K for 33cl
Another stack of citrusy US hops.

I send a photo of it to Alexei.

I ordered this especially for you, Lexxie.
       Alexei: Oh that's cool
       Is it good? Or insane like Kurtz?
It's OK in an American IPA sort of way.
       Alexei: Ah I see
       How many willies was it?
129k.
       Alexei: So 5 euros
Yes.
       Alexei: Isn't that a little pricey for Vietnam?
Yes. It is craft beer.
       Alexei: Still though, a lot of knobs

We don’t stay out too late. I learnt my lesson from that first night in Danang. It’s not long after ten when we make the long walk over the road to our hotel.

Though I don’t stay in my room. Feeling peckish, I nip out just before midnight, aiming to get a bánh mi. That's all finished, but I can get some spring rolls and other bits and bobs. 80 K and pretty good. Never had spring rolls like those before. I'm so proud of myself for making the effort.

No more whisky. Only watery vodka to edge me down that slippery slope to sleep.