Okay... finally, hopefully... a respectable sized blog post. :P

So I've been in Vietnam/Hanoi for just over one week. I may have already said this but I think this is the only place I've been so far where I can actually see myself living. In fact - it's actually somewhere I'm seriously com ing to live/work for a year at some point... If I can.

I've been living with my cousin Kate in her and her boyfriend Jack's cosy cubbyhole of a flat. It's a perfect little place - with a view out over Hanoi rooftops. It's been such a great experience - and it wouldnt have been nearly the same without the people i've met; all of whom are friends/workmates of Kate. Jack for a start is one the nicest, most genuine people i've met. I've spent many hours wondering around Hanoi and chilling out at restaurants etc with him, and i'm so pleased that he and Kate have such a great relationship. :) Aside from that all the other people i've been introduced to have been awesome - most have actually really helped me out with the whole 'going-down-south' trip - which i'll come to... now...

Beno has become a real man!! - I have, about 15 mins ago, finalised the purchase of my very first MOTORBIKE! No... not 'scooter'... Motorbike. If you're bothered, it's a matt black 'Honda Win' - full manual. It still hasn't sunk in that I actually, officially own my very own motorbike. HAHA!! So... now... becasue the traffic is INSANE in Hanoi durning the day, I'm going to take it out at midnight tonight when the roads become virtually empty compared to midday. I've had a go on it already and it felt good - I just have to get used to the clutch being controlled by my left hand! Oh and yes - don't worry - I have also just bought a helmet - with ear guards and visor. :D

I also have a detailed map - and i've met some people I think im gunna do the trip with. I should be setting off in the next 2/3 days. I've really enjoyed Hanoi, and later on today im going to take a few photos fopr you of the traffic here - and the Hundreds of scooters that line up at the traffic light start line (the ones that actually pay attention to the red light (40%)) :D

As a P.s. For breakfast this morning, I sat myself down by a little street stall doing Kebab sandwiches - It became a running joke amoung the little vietnamese people about how much I was eating (had 4 baguetts and some sugar cane juice) and it was very hard to communicate - but the owner evuantually managed to get across that he wanted us to have half a glass of tequila with me - so he whipped out his old 7UP bottle and poured! :D I said I had to go, downed the drink, and pretended to stumble out of the cafe - They found this extremely amusing! :D every time I walk past now they cheer haha! :D Good Times.

Hmmm... these blogs always turn out to be way longer than I plan them to be.