After lots of offers from dodgy taxi drivers to take us to our hotel after getting off the train, we finally managed to find a genuine taxi driver to take us. Lots had not recongnised the address we had written down so this was a tricky operation; Just what you need after a 12 hour train journey! On arrival at the hotel we banged on the shutters and a local guy in his boxers opened everything up and told us someone would be with us very soon. We were then told by another guy our room wouldnt be ready until 8am so we decided to wander aroud and grab some breakfast. A couple of croissants and a good cup of tea later we were ready to hit the sack for a few hours. Our room wasnt as nice as we wouldve liked but it was a room.

The rest of our first day in Hanoi was spent investigating Halong Bay trips ready for when the Liverpool lads arrived. We had already decided we were only going to do a one night two day tour (see Ashs blog for more details...). The number of different types of boat were pretty vast but we managed to bag a deal with our hotel after collecting prices from elsewhere and playing them off.

The following day the lads arrived from Hue and we spent the evening with them chilling, all excited about our Halong tour the next day. We had booked the lads into another hotel (bit nicer for the same price) so we too decided we would move there to make it easier. I spent the rest of the evening sorting pictures whilst the boys went for a beer. On Ash's return I too learnt they'd robbed some pizza from a nearby table that a customer had left. The joys of being a skint backacker!

On our return to Hanoi after a fantastic time in Halong Bay we checked into Central backpackers (10 bed dorm). For 5 USD a night each you got your bed, free breakfast, free beer (7-8pm), free internet. A real deal! You could even write on the walls during free beer time which amused the lads. This was our first experience of dorms and I must say it was rather odd sharing a room with 6 guys but fun all the same. Having only been open for 4 weeks everything was really new apart from the random smell of cabbage in the bathroom now and then. Oh well this is Vietnam!

The rest of our days in Hanoi were spent chilling around the lake and visiting a few sites. On the last night we treat ourselves to all you can eat pizza (Ashs request) and the water puppet show. This is supposedly a local tradition of Vietnam and we all really enjoyed the music and acts. Something different for sure and a must do if you're in Hanoi.

We left Hanoi on Tuesday bound for Singaore and we were both feeling sad to leave the Liverppol lads (Craig, Sean and Paul) who we had spent lots of time with the past week or so. We came to realise that meeting like minded, fun people along our journey only added to this amazing experience we are having. Lots of great conversation, laughter, karaoke and just hanging. We are really looking forward to the next few months of this.