Back early this morning from Sa Pa, an overnight train journey from Hanoi. I appeared to be double booked on the train - there were about 15 vietnamese train officials all shouting at each other so somone somewhere is probably going to get it....ended up in what amounted to be the store cupboard with a bed. Even laying down my head was about an inch from the ceiling - like sleeping in a wendy house. Incredibly, I slept really well - once the t...

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...