Hi guys last time we spoke we were just about to embark on a trek to the spectacular Sapa in northwestern Vietnam. We booked a 3 day trek, including one nights homestay in a local hilltribe village, so we had one day left in Hanoi before catching the overnight train to Lao Cao, an hour outside of Sapa. Jem and I spent the day wandering round the beautiful, and peaceful, Hoan Kiem Lake in the old quarter. We saw the tiny Thap Rua, Tortoise Tower, on an islet in th...

We're now in the very hectic Hanoi and our hotel has free internet and a tv in the room - a real treat. We arrived early evening yesterday after flying from Vientiane. This city is just a crazy place and you put your life in your hands just crossing the road. There are motorbikes everywhere!!! So we've decided to go on a two day trek into the mountains to a place called Sa Pa, north of Hanoi. From there you can see Fransipan, the highest peak in Vietnam and we'll...