Hey all!!

On the 29th we awoke and drove along the Ho Chi Minh Trail which was used for transporting weapons and supplies during the war. This long road with steep uphill and downhills was fun to ride along and picture it's history almost 50 years ago. We were shown secret caves and tunnels where army and civilians would hide away. We drove along highway 20 which gets its name from the majority of people dying on the road being aged 20! We also visited a cave where 5 women died that were based along highway 20 helping the troops with injuries etc, a large rock fell after a bomb hit and trapped them in the cave and only until recently has the massive rock been removed to visit the cave. Only 2 months ago they found a 500lb cluster bomb behind the cave, showing you how the war still effects this country. Even if they worked so hard to find all the unexplored bombs it's estimated to take another 100 years.

We then visited paradise cave which is the largest dry cave in the world and was only discovered in 2005!! We took a golf buggy to the stair way and then proceeded to climb all 550 steep steps to the top, this was tough work!! We walked through the cave and enjoyed the amazing views and sculptures that had been created over thousands of years.

We then headed for the jungle in Phong Nha but because of the rain season the car had to drop us off and then we walked the rest of the way. We trudged through thick mud and water in bare foot for half an hour before reaching a small house in the middle of no where. This house belonged to a young family with two little girls. Because of our tour guide stumbling across a mud hut in the jungle on a previous motorbike tour this family now have a house with a western toilet as our tour guide told them if they have a fridge with cold beer he will bring tourists back to visit. We sat and had cold drinks whilst playing with the little girls, they lady served us fresh warm monkey nuts it was a lovely day. After we walked home before the little girls (6 and 8) gave us a fashion show and gave me a hair and for my hair.

On the way back we went a different way where we had to cross a river, so holding Ed's hand as the current was fast we got across the water which was to my waist. Was refreshing to say the least. We walked and walked and it turned dark. A pickup truck stopped and lucky enough it was the tour guides friend so we all hopped in the boot and headed for the home stay. We had a delicious home cook Vietnamese dinner, yum yum and after decided to get a bottle of rice wine. The group did shot after shot of this home made alcohol which is very popular in Vietnam and deadly haha but rest a sure the night ended well.

The van picked us up in the morning as we headed towards the DMZ. Sadly because of the freak typhoon we were warned about last night we were unable to visit the tunnels built to shelter civilians from the intense bombings of the area during the American war. And unable to go and witness a bomb being deactivated :( however we did visit a museum set up by a non profit organisation which shows The human cost of war when's it's finished, showing what happens to the unexplored bombs. They are trying to raise awareness of this to children and farmers as those are who find the bombs and end up either thinking they are scrap metal or toys. The maps that represent the amount of bombs still around the area are for nominal and almost off putting to explore anywhere unusual. As the typhoon was getting worse our driver insisted to leave and to head towards Hue. When we were driving it was a little scary trees had fallen in the roads and no one was about it felt like we were chasing a hurricane.

WE SURVIVED the storm haha and arrived in Hue. We grabbed lunch and the storm passed so we hired bicycles and cycled around the city which was lovely passing the famous citadel, stalls, street food restaurants and the perfume river. We then visited the tallest pagoda in Vietnam build in 1601. This holy site has a stone turtle which Buddhists rub for good luck. It also holds the car of which Thic Quang Duc drove to Saigon before setting himself alight in protest. We drove through the streets of crazy traffic and showered and prepared ourselves for a night out as we had finally met up with friends from the hostel back up in Hanoi. Brilliant night out consuming way too many passion fruit punches before venturing to a Vietnamese club where is was kidnapped and taken to the dance floor. The locals circled me and copied every dance move of mine singing to me and amazed I knew the words to the songs. We headed back late and went to bed, was a rubbish night sleep with the German guy beneath us being violently sick and others snoring in the room.

The next day was a beach relax day where we visited a beach with not a sole on it. The private beach had a bar with bean bags and sofas where we relaxed for the day. Ed went boogie boarding and I went swimming and the group sat around drinking and eating fresh monkey nights before being served freshly caught fish on the BBQ. Ed and I went for a lovely walk along the beach alone and found a swing which was so idilic. We left the beach quite late and then met up again for dinner where we visited a gorgeous Indian restaurant, the food was outstanding.

On the 2nd of September we had planned to bike to Hoi An. Ed practiced on the bike and we set off it was nerve racking at first but we managed well and ventured 5 hours south passing through small villages and towns where everyone waved because we were white. We steered clear of cows, chickens, dogs and other motorists in the streets. The views were amazing especially as we started to go through mountains above the clouds. This was the same route Jeremy Clarkson took and it truly was amazingly beautiful. We arrived near Hoi An in a place called Da Nhang where we sat by the beach enjoying cold drinks as our bums ached and we were exhausted and thirsty from the bumping dusty roads. We headed back showered and went out for a feast before saying bye to the guide Tom. We went to a gorgeous restaurant run by an Aussie where I had an amazing burger, oh western food I have missed you!! (Of course the burger was fish as I am still veggie) we had a brilliant night again drinking rice wine and said farewell before going home.

The next day we spent exploring the town of Hoi An and sitting by the pool as it is the first day Ed and I have had no plans. I finally have caught the sun and enjoyed swimming in 'clean' water haha!! The Irish couple are staying with us so we have planned to go out for dinner again. Which was delicious noodles, seafood and veggies yum :/ same old same old haha.

Today we have rented bicycles and cycled to the beach which is 4km away, we also visited the famous tailors of Hoi An where I have purchased a dress for the Melbourne races. The lady has measured me up and I have selected the material and the design and I am to meet her tomorrow for it to be assessed to see if more alterations need to be made. The dress cost me 250, 000 dong which is around £7 ...... Bargain!! We shall be leaving the hotel tomorrow and back to a hostel as we are meeting friends arriving from Hue to continue travelling south together.

Thanks nan and grandad for the messages it's lovely to hear from you and I hope home isn't too cold. Missing home for its gravy, continuous electricity and it's huge variety of food. Haha

Speak soon xxxx