Had a lovely breakfast asfter sleeping well and set out towards a big lake to the north of the city. Saw a few pagodas and statues and when we arrived at the lake it had a lovely misty hue to it. We decided to rent a swan and have a paddle round the big lake for an hour. Saw the pagoda in the photo above from the water and soaked up a few rays. When we pedalled back to the shore we decided to take a route that would show us a few little sights on the map, but nothing really to note. Seen quite a lot of whole cooked ducks today hanging up in perspex boxes and a whole load of pop cans with birds feet sticking out of the tops! Dont know what bird though.

Saw some more pagodas and made our way into the old city, it has 39 streets and every street used to have its own trade, though not so much anymore. Couldnt really find a nice cafe on the way back so we went to one on the edge of the lake closest to our hotel and had a drink and a sandwich.

Went and bought a lucky little turtle that i had seen and wanted the other day and decided to get a cyclo out to another couple of lakes. These ones are bigger and take 2 people so we squashed ourselves in and went 50,000VND worth! Just to the parks with lakes. Had a walk around and then walked up a very pretty little street with cute shops back towards our hotel. Claire is after a propaganda poster, spent some time looking, but the shop was too expensive. Saw Hanoi Cathedral and came back to the hotel. Crossing the road is getting annoying now, constant source of annoyance at having to dodge cars and bikes! Hope China is a little less difficult.

Just caught up with emails and we will be going to find somewhere to eat shortly, our last night in Vietnam!

10.45

Just been to a lovely little restaurant down the street for traditional Vietnamese food. I had stir fried pho with beef and cabbage, it was tasty and nicer than havig the pho in a soup. Claire had pork cooked in a clay pot with rice, also in a pot! Forgot to say in earlier blogs that i have been having Vietnamese coffee. They serve it very strong and if you ask for white coffee you get condensed milk! It sinks to the bottom and doesnt colour the coffee, but its quite sweet and syrupy, i like it, but has me bouncing off the walls somewhat!

We have booked our taxi for 8am tomorrow to got to catch the bus to Nanning at 9.20, expected to arrive anywhere between 4pm & 5pm. Hoping for a comfy bus ride seeing as it is so long, and hoping the border crossing isnt too much of a chore! Another day another country! X