With the need to get out of the noise, pollution and general busyness of hanoi, we headed off for a weekend away in Cuc Phuong national park. It was everything we were after and highlights include seeing the sun and almost a blue sky!!

We didn't do all that much whilst we were there, but it was incredible to just relax and breathe clean air, and then not be woken by loud traffic in the morning. Did some trekking on the sunday, and saw a massive tree from around the time of narnia and also some pretty cool caves.

The monday after the national park was my first day on the cycling regime- so exciting. Three stops for a flat tyre, and one for a dodgy saddle later and the novelty had worn off. Fortunately in vietnam everyone can fix a bicycle, but unfortunately for me i don't speak vietnamese so I kept having my tyre pumped up and not replaced. Eventually a girl from work came to help me out and got it repaired for 34p!

After that had the week off work as I went down with flu. Peace house is not the ideal place to be ill as it is extremely boring and cold. And going out for some fresh air to help me get better is a joke. So it was a week of sleeping and little else.