My word... FINALLYYYYY!! :D I've been in Hanoi for a tad too long and much longer than I was anticipating. But - it has definitely paid off.

The original vietnamese guy that I spent a day with and was going to buy the bike off came by to look at the one I've bought. He took it awak to give it a once over and has done wonders to it!! Everything has been fixed, He's welded a frame onto the back so I can put saddle bags there.... and given me the saddle bags. The only thing that doesnt work on the bike now is the speedo :P So Beno is all set for his Top Gear Trip.

During this time i've also been lucky in meeting some class people to travel with. 1 English guy and 1 Canadian (These Candadians are everywhere!) - another Kiwi is meeting us when we Get to Hue further down on the coast.

I've been driving the bike around Hanoi for a bit - and I feel confident! I haven;t really had any hair rasing moments yet *touch wood* and this is in the hectic ness of Hanoi traffic so im proud. Cant wait to get out on the open road. :D

The plan is - if you can be bothered to get out a map of vietnam and look - head west for the first day on Highway 6 to a place called Mai Chau. From there we'll take Highway 15 down towards the Central Highlands or 'Ho Chi Minh Trail' visiting Hue, Danang and Hoi An cutting in to the coast to visit these places. Also Nha Trang and Mui Ne much further south. Highway 14 will be a big section also as we move from the central highlands into Saigon country :D

Anyway - That's the plan... we'll see how closely its followed. Can't Wait!

Whoooooooooo!