hanoichick's profile
hanoichick's Posts
37 reviews or comments posted; 2 questions asked; 1 answers given.
Reviews / Comments (37) see all
Great bar, love it! Great house band every day, cold Tiger draft beer, has food, drink specials from 5-9pm, nice atmosphere, and friendly staff and management. Definitely brings something that Hanoi has been missing out on. Oh, and hits from the 70's-90's (complete with long-haired singer) for those times when you just want to rock out with your @#*!s out-Pump up the Jam boys! Not for those who are looking to have quiet conversation or a drink alone. P.S.- if you do go, go early, prepare to party, and don't expect to leave sober! ;) Good times!
| Was this review ... |
The unfortunate irony of Highlands Cafe is that the very thing that makes it unique, also makes it unbearable. I love the idea, a cafe floating on west lake with a view of both the lake and the busy street beside it. However, I was absolutely disgusted by the sheer amount of mosquitoes and white flies ( I don't know what else to call them) hanging around every table. My husband and I moved three times but there was no relief to be had. This is too bad, as the food is decent, if not excellent and the setting would be perfect if it were not for the unfortunate side effects of such a great location. Also, there are sometimes unpleasant smells hanging around the edge of the lake. I understand that this is not the fault of Highlands Coffee and it is simply one of the irritations that come along with living in Hanoi. I'm just saying, that this was the worst. You simply cant enjoy a meal with a massive cloud of flies hanging directly over it. Too bad.
| Was this review ... |
I forgot to rate it, again....
| Was this review ... |
Cheap and flimsy plastic stools, repulsive gutter gonch and a myriad of insects, drunken backpackers, drunken locals, Exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke, clatter and relentless beeping and noise from endless traffic. Not to mention, Street hawkers trying to sell you everything from stamps, lighters, books and "mareewanna" all "Werry Cheapy", dirty glasses, fat Western asses and not a lot of class.
In other words...Fuckin' awesome!
| Was this review ... |
Time Cafe is a restaurant dressed like a coffee shop. The fact that the word cafe is displayed beneath the tasteful sign on the front of the building, makes the gastronomic delights found within taste even better.
In a city so full of restaurants, this enjoyable little eatery stands out by not standing out. The decorum leans toward Mediterranean, with a quaint, well lit little bar to the right of the front door. The absence of garish neon or loudly coloured walls is a nice change. The atmosphere is friendly and the staff is helpful.Time Cafe has been operating for four short months. The refined interior was designed by local artist, Dang Duc Thanh. The drink menu was designed by local special needs children. Owner Tuong and his staff take every opportunity to assist these special people through their hiring practices and assistance to local programmes. We also learned from him that Time is a popular gathering spot for local artists through the day. (Their attractive, long running breakfast being the draw.) Breakfast is available from 6.30am-12noon. We love the grilled cheese, beef pho, tomato and pumpkin soups. The Time Coffee also stands high above the rest, iced with a big scoop of ice-cream to boot. Yummy. Take a step back in Time and put Time to the test!
| Was this review ... |
Questions (2)
Are there any coin-op laundry facilities in Hanoi, with actual dryers? It has been so damp and nasty these last few weeks, drying our clothes has become a problem?
Does anyone know where to buy tickets from Hanoi to Bangkok using cash? The Air Asia outlet we went to said they didn't accept cash there (go figure that they don't want our money?!?). My credit card has expired since coming here, so I can't buy them online. On a second note, does anyone know if its possible to use a friend's credit card if they aren't traveling with you, and without being asked to produce the card at check-in at the airport? We've had gracious offers from people to put the tickets on their card, but I'm afraid of being refused boarding due to the above mentioned scenarios, and don't really want to risk losing $400 US on a hope and prayer. Any advice would be appreciated as we want to travel next week. Thanks all!!!
Answers (1)
Posted Wednesday November 15th, 2006.
We also rented a Honda Wave from a really small shop around the corner of Hang Bac and Dinh Liet(just before it turns into Ta Hien)and weren't so lucky. The first month we rented we got an old banged up bike at a fixed price of $50USD. At that time they promised us a new bike for the second month at a lower rate of $40 if we took the $50 bike first, so we did. When the month was up, we went back to the shop to exchange the bike for the new one. However, when we arrived, they said there was some mistake, and new bikes go for $50. So we called the guy who hooked us up with this shop- Viet -and he quickly sided with the owners. After much debate, we finally agreed on a fair $45 fee. Sadly, on our way home from the shop with our shiney red, supposedly brand new bike, passersby were quick to point out a rapidly leaking back tire. So, being as careful with the bike as we could, we got off and walked it to the closest bike shop for air. After paying a mere $1000VND, we we back on the road, happy to show off our new bike. Unfortunately, it just wasn't in the cards for us. After another 3 or 4 KM down the road, once again the tire was flat as a steamrolled pancake. A little miffed now, we got off once more to roll to the next bikeshop for air. But what transpired there was an entirely different affair. The bikeshop owner swept the bike out from under our hands and had the entire tire off and changed with the speed of a NASCAR mechanic. We barely got the rental place on the phone, let alone tell them there was a hole in the tire tube-that already had a patch on it, by the way -when he approached us looking for money. From there it just turned sour. The rental shop owner and his wife jumped on their bike and met us at the shop, about a 20 min drive away. Once there, they began this loud, emotional, and drug-out arguement with the mechanic. They wanted us to pay for the new tire-$180,000VND which is cheap to us, I agree, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay for that tire, less than 1 hour after I rented the bike, and for an already patched tire at that, in which they get to keep. So after fighting for almost an hour with them, and using up most of my cell mins trying to explain the situation, and being that he already had my $45 and my house keys, and I was already 15 mins. late for work, he somehow mananged to have me pay for half of the cost. I was so mad that I told him I wanted my $45 back for the bike I only had for an hour. He did give me back my money, but kept $60,000VND for a one day rental fee(or should I say 1 hr.). However, even though it was early yet in the day, he still refused to let us keep the bike for the day(even though we paid for it), and made us walk to work from the mechanic shop, costing us in total a whole lot more than I care to discuss. Anyway, I thought I'd share our horrifying experience so that maybe someone else in a similar situation will just be smart and pay the stupid money for repairs up front. Because even though you end up getting screwed for repairs, they will surely have you over the barrel even further in the long run if you try to fight it. Thanks for listening to my rant. I'm off to find another bikeshop that is also sure to see me coming.
In response to the question: What about motorbikes in general? I know there are several places around Hanoi that rent them....especially in the Old Quarter, but are any of them a...
Elite User
2 Followers
37 Reviews
17 First Reviews
Well-Written (5) Funny (9) Accurate (29) Useful (17)
hanoi chick
My Blog or WebsiteNot Listed
EmailPrivate
New Hanoian Member SinceWednesday November 15th, 2006
