Well I have spent long enough here in Hanoi, although I have changed my initial thoughts about the place. After my trip to Halong Bay, I managed to find a lovely cheap guesthouse and the people who run it are great. I have been in Hanoi for "Tet" which is their new year here (Year of the Mouse), it basically runs for 3 days, which is a public holiday for the locals - so rather than the normal hustle and bustle of Hanoi, its rather quiet. New years ev...

I arrived in Hanoi the capital of Vietnam a few days ago. I thought London had traffic problems until I came here, where the scooter rules the roads! The Vietnamese from my findings so far are after your money, but in an aggressive, nagging and persistance kind of way. They have already tried so many cons, from trying to charge double the price for airport transfers, the taxi's taking you to hotels where they receive commission and also travels agents quoting ...

I'm now at Vientiane airport ready to get on the Air Lao flight to Hanoi in Vietnam. Feeling a little worried due to the poor safety record of the airline and their slogan is "Your Safe with us" worries me, I'm sure it will be fine :) So I arrived here yesterday and stayed in Joes Guest House which was very nice and clean...would recommend it to fellow backpackers. There is not much to do in Vientiane, so ended up bowling...yes bowling!!! But seriou...

I'm now in Vang Vieng and have been for the last 3 nights, took the 4 hours bus journey from Luang Prabang, which of course was nowhere near 4 hours and more like 7-8 hours...typical tour operators around here - they will tell you anything to get the sale! I love Vang Vieng, it is certainly the best most fun place I have visited on my travels so far. Went Tubing on the first day, as I have heard that it is amazing...well floating down the river on a big tube sto...

I arrived in Luang Prabang 'finally' after a 7 hour slow boat ride down the mekong river. I took the 2 day journey from Chiang Mai and passed the Laos border near Hong Sa. As soon as we passed the border it was like I went back 40 years....it went from tarmac'ed roads to muddy tracks! I arrived at this small village where we stayed the night, it was a clean but very basic guest house. Funny enough that same night there was a night concert on in this small vill...