Around Hanoi City with China

Steph arrived to two sleeping bodies. Finally Shaun and I rose to meet the new member of room 403. They were doing a room mate swap. So, out we went to find ourselves a good traditional hole in the wall style feed. I wanted to culture up Stephs visit a bit since she had very little in Bangkok.
We thought we head to our little pancake lady place but we were a little early. She did the late arvo trade and it was only just 1. We spotted a lady in a little nook just opposite and decided to try our luck with her. Good choice! We ended up with some yummy broth something with what we think was baconish style meat, rice noodles, and green bits....Oh and some local spring rolls. We devoured it all in about 3 seconds it was so good. We were as happy as pigs in Mud.
After lunch I had to return to the Laos Embassy and pick up my visa then scoot over to the Chinese embassy andn sort that out. So we found a moto driver and after a bit of convincing that two on a moto was ok, and an agreed price I took Steph on her first joint moto ride. Two big bums on a seat an one skinny moto driver!
Right finally, after some lost in translation moments, we made it clear that it was the Laos Embassy we wanted. Off we went in to some heavy traffic, winding in and out and straight in to on comming traffic. I'll hand it to Steph, she was cool clam and collected. We laughed so much in the face of danger it made our moto drive laugh too. People were staring at this sight. Two Westies on a bike!!! We got to the Embassy unscathed and moto man waited for me to do my business. I think more out of confusion than anything. After more hand signals and some help from Laos Embassy man we made it clear our next destination was the Chinese Embassy. After saying China, China, China very animated and several times, we decided moto man is now called China.
We got to the Chinese Embassy and it was closed!! Typical really. Sums up SE Asia to a T. Closed and hard to know when it opens again.
Eventually we made it back to our hotel but not before we came head on with a bus, the wrong way down one way streets and straight across busy roads.