Arrived in Hanoi around 6ish having had little sleep. We were greeted by our names on a board and bundled into a taxi by a guy from Buffalo tours, he followed on his moped! Arrived at the hotel and unfortunately couldnt check in until 12, got that down to around 10, so set out to trudge the streets for a few hours. Walked around the lake near our hotel (cant remember the name, there are lots of lakes) and saw the locals doing Tai Chi and stretching and playing badminton in the early morning coolness. Decided to walk out toward the Mongolian Embassy to get Claire's Visa, finally found in after about an hour and a half, but it only opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 - 12. Bummer. So we strolled back towards the hotel in search of some breakfast and ended up at a cafe beside the maussoleum? We both had a fried egg sandwich (only thing on the menu!) and i tried vietnamese drip coffe, they take it neat or with condensed milk which settles on the bottom. Very bizzare but not at all offensive, if a bit strong. Saw the B52 remnants museum and more places we want to visit tomorrow. Made it back to the hotel, feeling very tired around 11, and our room was ready! Very strange layout to the hotel, 8 floors of 4 rooms, 2 of which look out into a hole in the middle of the building and straight into each other, we're glad of the blinds! The beds are (dare i say it) sofer here and the pillows are ok, constant source of annoyance! We had a nap and a rest and a shower (watched film Step Up, very good!) and felt human again!

Went out for a walk just around the hotel, closely packed streets selling all sorts, our hotel is in the old quarter. Bought some chop sticks and some cord to hold my trousers up! Finally found the Water Puppet Show Theatre, so bought tickets for a performance tomorrow at 9.15, cost 60,000, decided to go first class on recommendation of the book!

Ate tonight at a restaurant connecte to a youth hostel, had a gorgeous chicken with mushrooms andginger sauce with rice, was really really tasty and really enjoyed it. Claire was craving a burger, so that is what she had!

Back at the hotel early tonight, both very sleepy after the weird day we have had, caught up with emails and blog and will be going to be shortly to hopefully enjoy a night in a soft(er) bed! Claire is going to get up early and head back out to the Mongolian Embassy and i am going to meet her near the museums, so a busy day planned! X