Helloooooo.

We're now in Nha Trang, having sadly left Hoi An this morning. Hoi An was precisely what was needed after Hanoi. A very small riverside village dominated by fantastic restaurants, stylish bars and art galleries. The French influence is still very apparent here, but there was oodles of Asian charm present. We arrived at our hotel, expecting cheap and cheerful, and were greeted by several members of sharply dressed staff. Our bags were taken and complementary drinks served. A Beautiful room and an attached and locally renowned restaurant, meant fantastic breakfast spreads. Anna spent a day here exploring the nooks and crannies and having some tailor made outfits made, whilst Rik signed up for diving off the coast of Cham Island. Value here is incredible - taxi to and from hotel, dive boat and staff, lunch on tropical island beach and 2 dives - all for 30 quid (a top meal with starter and several drinks costs about £3.50 here) During the second dive Rik helped to free two large squid from an illegal fisherman's net. The squid showed their thanks by spraying ink everywhere and left everyone knocking into one another in the dark. When the dive group surfaced their boat wasn't anywhere to be seen. The dive master was totally laid back and simply suggested everyone should swim for a bit. The boat eventually found the group and saved them from being lunch!

An early morning flight finds us in Nha Trang for the day. We are stopping here for a short day and a half, before heading to, Dalat, in the central highlands, for some mountain action. Nha Trang has a huge and relatively quiet beach, except in the late afternoon when hundreds of school children descend on it. It's great to see all the kids here playing together in such high spirits. You'd think it was the first time they'd ever been to the coast. It looked like it was bath night as they all piled into the sea.

We'll get up early and spend the morning on the beach, and then we've hired a driver to take us to the highlands (we've done the big bus thing!!).

Love Rik & Anna.