Some more memorable things, 1 - jumping off the boat at night in Ha Long Bay to go swimming - even in pitch darkness I was tracked down by a woman in a boat selling food and drink - 'allo....allo - you want to buy some sing?'  2 - I'm getting myself a car horn for walking around Hanoi - its a war out there....there's no pavement left because all the bikes are parked lengthways across it...I'm also going to go up behind a ho...

So just back in Hanoi last night after three days in Ha Long Bay. Really amazing place, went kayaking, cycling and played volleyball, stayed on a beautiful island and spent a lot of time on a boat touring around. I'll try and add some photos....Was a bit ill yesterday, felt like flu but was sick too. Not sure why, was just thinking I'd been doing quite well up to now. It may have been the food (am now completely put off by squid) or some sort of heat...

Arrived in Hanoi yesterday afternoon following 18 hour train journey - so glad I booked a 'soft sleeper' - even managed to sleep which was good.Got picked up at the station by a hotel guy - another scam - he shows you a picture of a really lovely hotel (you should get suspicious straight away really) then rings it to discover that there are 'no vacancies.' He then takes you to a different hotel where the tv doesn't work, th...

Leaving for Hanoi this afternoon on overnight train (given up on the bus in case I'm recognised from the last journey) - have heard lots of good things about Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa from people coming from the other direction so looking forward to it - sharing a 4 person carriage with three others I've met here so that should be cool although a bit cramped (god help us if anyone breaks wind) - All lovely people though.Hoi An has b...

So, arrived in Hoi yesterday after longer than intended stay in Nha Trang. Although didn't like Nha Trang at first, grew to quite like the place - very relaxing and was quite sad to go. Had to delay because of typhoon here in Hoi An - by the time I arrived the weather was ok although you could see they were still clearing up (see picture) electricity was affected and of course most importantly no one was able to use the internet - I tell you, everyone is so compe...