Vietnam

Posted by Steve.
Currently in Hanoi awaiting the birth of our first grandchild. Everyone here uses a motorcycle to get about so I thought I ought to join in. I did. It was terrifying. One way streets are only mostly one way. Dual carriageways are often bidirectional. Traffic lights have countdown timers, so everyone drives off when there's about 10 seconds left. That is if they stopped at all. Roundabouts appear to be taken in whatever direction most suits. We haven't yet seen a repeat of a live adult water buffalo strapped on the carrier of a Honda 50, but close, with two double mattresses on the back.
The bike is a Suzuki 125. Most of the electrics don't work. Neither does the speedo, revcounter fuel gauge, but the horn is OK. The exit from the passage we are staying in involves a 37 degree that is a 75% slope up unto the road. So you have a cold engine you have to get up this slope directly into a two way road with no visibility, and use just enough power that you get to the top and make an instant sharp right turn. The solution appears to be press the horn continuously and go.
Once into the old town there are crossroads with 4 lanes of bikes going in each direction and the traffic sort of blends together with no one stopping. If I can find a way of rigging up the phone camera, I'll try taking a movie. The main problem I have found so far is navigating. I have been so intent on surviving that I haven't a clue where I am. Oh well here for a few weeks so time to get better at it.

Steve