Last Day in Vietnam.

On our last day in Vietnam, we had just enough travel credits left to stay at the Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi's grandest hotel. Built in the early 1900s, it has been a Hanoi landmark ever since, hosting celebrities like Charlie Chaplin (on his honeymoon) and Hanoi Jane. As we walked in, we saw Senators Al Franken and Tom Harkin walking out.

The day was murderously hot and humid, so we spent much of it
around the pool, plied with mango ice cream cones and iced towels
by the attentive staff.

Eventually even those amenities failed to keep the heat at bay,
so we retired to the cool Club Room for delicious mojitos until
it was time to make the run to the airport for our
11:00 PM flight to Seoul.

It was a delightful end to an extraordinary year.

P.