So our four days in Singapore are now over and as I write this we are heading to Vietnam flying over Malaysia ... We had such a great time in Singapore with Chloe, Tanya and Harris, sampling all the different types of cuisines were a treat, esp. the McDonalds we endured for breakfast this morning. We did manage to fit in all the recommended places to go along with a number of local cocktails each night. So onto Vietnam, the tour we are joining doesn't start for another three days so we plan to explore parts of Hanoi and Hoa Long Bay which aren't included in the tour... We are both excited to meet up with the 16 other fellow travellers and looking forward to spending the 18 days with their company.... I can't believe we have now been away for a week, we hate that the time is going by so quick but it already feels like we've done so much and like I've said before this is just the tip of the iceberg....

Moon....

Wow! Vietnam! One word, intense or crazy, hmm, or chaos..... Absolutely full on in Hanoi. Not going to lie, we had a rough start, first being hustled by the taxi man. I mean I thought we were going to be taken hostage or something.. Charged us 3x the average price and took us to a street that wasn't where we really asked for. We were just very glad to get out of there..... Lesson well learned,... Once arriving to the hotel, we were greeted by the owner who was very very welcoming and did what he could to track the taxi man down and sort it for us.. Nothing much else can be said on the issue and we won't be dwelling on that., so we finally got our head around the Vietnamese dong, as I almost paid 12 pound for a couple of bracelets... Expected more of myself on that one... ;-) ... I now fully appreciate the saying never judge a book by its cover, as after our start, we had pretty much wrote off Vietnam, a bit harsh but it happened.. But the guy I bought the bracelet off sort of laughed and shouted nooooooo!!....... And gave me back 11 pounds... Things were improving, we managed to also find a place to eat on the side of the road, which again we were treated soo well and the food was............... just fantastic.,,, and all for 10 pounds, including 2 drinks... Bargain... The streets are an absolute buzz to navigate, there must be at least a thousand motor cycles trying to get past you at the same time and all parping their horn ... At the same time cars and push bikes try to squeeze past and with the footpaths lined with eateries and over spills from shops, oh and scooters, which seems to be the place to park them, we have no choice but to plod along in the roads... A definite new experience.... After having a look around and getting ourselves familiarised and sorting out the financial situ we have now decided to return to the hotel Hanoi capital, recommended, the staff are so helpful, they provide a cleaning service so our laundry will be done and ready for tomorrow, as well as sorting a day trip to Hai Long Bay for tomorrow,...which will be immense ......
It's been very exciting and overwhelming so off for some rest,
Moon... X