I LOVE IT HERE!!! This is by far the highlight of my trip thus far! And so long as things carry on the way they have panned out during my first day then i am really going to enjoy it here. Vietnam lacks the tourist accessibility of Thailand. It is cultural, authentic, friendly, and a travelling dream! Nothing is on a plate here, everything has to be looked for, for example took me an hour to do a fifteen minute journey and find my way back to the guest house this evening....walking through back streets, filled to the brim with local Vietnamese people with a variety of stalls and businesses. The roads are small but busy with bicycles and mopeds and very few cars. The people are friendly, and i have seen only a handful of westerners since arriving here last night. Its fantatsic! Very simialr to India in many ways. Hanoi itself is busy, the roads are similar to those in India, with no rules, and i have completely ruled out hiring a moped here...i wouldnt stand a chance! The architecture and cuisine has a real French feel to it, and i sat for three hours this afternoon in a small cafe which towered above the Old Quarter of Hanoi, and enabled me to see the full extent of Vietnams capital. Anyway, just wanted to let you know how beautiful it is here. There are few international phones here on first glance, in fact i havent seen any, and this internet is very slow, but is free with my accommodation so cant complain. Plus my patience is growing by the dozen being here, as there is no rush for anything- its the Asian way that im beginning to enjoy! I am in this guest house, Hanoi Guest House, until Thursday, and have a phone in my room that i can be contacted on. Telephone number 008448245732, room number 202. So feel free to ring anytime. Mum, especially you!! ha! Hope you are all well....... 2 emails in 24 hours, arent you all lucky!! ha Be in touch soon, love Ellen xx