On bank holiday Monday we decided to do what everyone back home would be doing, having a lie-in before heading down to the beach. We hired some push bikes and set off, passing along the beautiful river, before we arrived at the beach. It wasn't a let down either, with postcard gold sand, palm trees and bright blue sea, so similar to sunny hunny!!! First we splashed in the sea, it was lovely and cool compared to the blistering heat. After that we returned to our sun loungers and chilled out, not spending too much time in the sun to try and avoid getting burnt. Occasionally running to the sea to cool off, although one time I went in first and was attacked by jumping shrimp, so screamed and swam a bit deeper. Luckily I wasn't the only one to scream, but then I realised they were children, but having any sort of fish, big or small, jump at your face is not nice.

By 2pm we were beached out and so we headed back to the hotel for a dip in the swimming pool, again to cool off. Unfortunately the whole avoiding the sun for most of the time clearly hadn't worked and when we stripped off for showers we realised the extent of the sun damage. Mine was only a small part of my bum, but it was red raw and meant sitting was quite uncomfortable. Pete was much worse and clearly the Malaria tablets were having an effect, as his whole back was pink. What with a brown neck, pink back and white bum he looked like the Neapolitan ice cream. Me being very sympatheticof course, I burst into laughter.

After carefully rubbing some after sun on and getting dressed we walked into town for a meal. We saw the couple who we had originally met in Kunming when they admired Pete's hat and then again in Sapa, so we joined them for a drink and listened to their stories, as they had spent 4 months volunteering in Cambodia. While sitting there sipping our Larue Beer an amazing thunder lightening storm started, it was stunning, lighting up the sky and the river. Hoi an has been an amazing city, what with going to the tailors where the Top Gear guys had been, but also finding the shop where Clarkson bought Hammond the huge ship from. The food has been delicious and after my cooking class I know how to make some mean spring rolls. The town is beautiful and if it wasn't so hot just walking around it would be enough amusement.

So a few places to come back to so far, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi an, all the H's so easy to remember.