"It's hell in 'nam!" Actually, no its not. But it is pretty crazy! Arrived in Hanoi a week ago, and immediately got taken to the wrong hotel, ripping off by the taxi driver and massively overcharged for a cyclo ride. But never mind. Went on a night train to highlands area of Sapa in the north west and visited a local Black H'mong (tribe) village- they were just starting to plant out this years rice in the paddy fields. Very friendly people, but always wanting you to buy something (like everyone else in Vienam!). A few days later we went on a 3 day trip to the beautiful Halong Bay on the east coast. Reached by boat, we stayed 1 night on Cat ba island, then the following night on a boat floating between the many islands. Really relaxing and great for a swim. Back in Hanoi, we went to see the Water Puppets show yesterday, a very entertaining traditional show of music and puppets that come up from under the water complete with fireworkks from their mouths! We're heading south this afternoon and stopping about half way down Vietnam. Gonna be making a few stops along the way to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The rest of the time we had in Malaysia was really nice. Spent time in the Cameron Highlands- visiting tea plantations and a tradtional local village (houses on stilts, blow pipes and very friendly kids who like sweets!), went to a waterpark near Kuala Lumpa with a Malaysian couple, spent 4 days in the national park rainforest of Taman Negara, then went Pulau Tioman off the east coast- its a beautiful island (where 'South Pacific was filmed) with crystal clear blue waters. Some excellent snorkelling from a boat trip to 'coral island' where there were unbelievable numbers of tropical fish swimming around us just above the coral... Clare even saw a turtle swim past! So anyway, off south in Vietnam now and we'll attempt a photo upload sometime soon. Cheers ma dears, Ian and Clare.