Hi, We have now crossed the border into Vietnam. We are staying the night in a place called Ninh Binh. Tomorrow morning we leave at 8am to go on a boat trip to Halong Bay. The boat trip lasts for 22 hours, so we get to spent the night on the boat. We have been told by our tour guide to not eat alot for breakfast tomorrow morning, as we are going to be eating a 9 course lunch followed by a 10 course dinner!!!! not quite sure what to make of that! Before we left laos we spent allday yesterday and last night staying with a local family in one of the ancient tribal villages. It was amazing seeing just how they live and how they sleep. I spent the afternoon playing football with the local kids and Belen was playing games with all the young girls. It was a shame because we were eating ice lollies and chocolate, but were told by the chief of the village that we could not give the kids any, as they would then expect it from future travellers visiting the town. We thought it was probably for the best anyway as all the young kids had rotten teath anyway. I have never seen a 5 or 6 year old with black teeth before!!! it was a shame.

We have uploaded some new photo albums, so check them out!! Our favourite is Hoay Pralam. You can get a good look at the old villages and the local kids.