Back at the hostel they had arranged for a taxi to the airport when I returned from the Halong Bay Tour. The cost was $15 which seemed expensive but I figured it would be less bother as I didnt have much time when I got back to find and haggle with someone to take me there. It was too cold and far to go by motorbike and didnt want to be going on a cold nite on a bike, so the taxi ended up being much easier. It was about 40 mins to the airport so I would have froz...

After cruising in some light drizzle we were taken ashore to goto the caves. These caves, despite being 10,000 years old, were only discovered in the 1990s. A local saw a monkey and tried to chase him to catch him. The monkey hid in the caves and the man followed him in. The fate of the monkey is unknown but the caves have become a new natural wonder. There are various rock formations illuminated by coloured lights. In various places they pointed out various anim...

This morning it was cold in bed. This was a big temperature drop from the low 30s in my whole trip. Now it was low double digits. I had to wear two shirts in bed to keep warm and as the room had no heating, huddled up, and didnt want to get out of bed. As my flight was at midnite tonite I was able to check out but leave my bag with the reception for the day. I asked them about why facebook was blocked, forgetting this was a communist country and that some sites a...

After resting a bit for my upset stomach I read there was an Independence Museum closeby that was free but closed at 4.30. It was now 3.30 so I tried to walk over. Passing by the lake there was a woman with one leg and crutches. I wanted to give her money but she tried to shove a melon in my bag and ask for $5. Also unlike HCMC, there are no convenience stores here to buy snacks or drinks. I found my way on the map to the general area of the Independence Museum b...

Working my way out of the Imperial Quarter I made my way around the Hanoi Train station. This was a strange deserted building absent of any passenger traffic. I had passed two pushy pineapple ladies on my way to the Military Museum and promised I would buy one on my way out. Now noticing me leaving they both rushed over. The first one in behind remembered I was her customer and pushed her way ahead of her friend. They had baby sized half pineapple and wanted 30,0...