Hello all, hope this update finds you all well! My last email to you all was after my mammoth walking session in the mountainous region of Sapa Valley.....well you'll be pleased to hear that i am now fully recovered, no longer have jelly legs, or muscle ache.......Anja and I seriously overindulged that day, but have made up for it since with some well needed beach time! From Sapa we headed back South to Hanoi, and were joined on the overnight train by the Kiwi Gerken Brothers- Grant and Dean, the Wolfemiester and the lovely Sarah.......resulting in no sleep, card games and beers until dawn.........Anja and i are convinced that these guys are following us, but sshhhhh don't tell them!! ;-) Being the hardcore travellers that we are, we followed this overnight train with a consecutive overnight bus journey down to Hue...........BAD MOVE!!! 24 hours worth of travelling half way down the country......madness......but meant we were in Hue for a couple of days and so far we are sticking to our schedule well. Hue was 'interesting'............after Hanoi, it was a step down in the manic scale, and had it not been for the Vietnamese holiday also on this day i think the place would have been pretty dead! We visited some beautiful architecture around the town, and also the river which runs through the whole of Hue. Plenty of photo opportunities....as always.....but all in all we could have probably done with only the one night here, however with major travel tiredness we appreciated not having to rush on! The highlight of Hue was the bus journey down to Hoi An....it was spectacular.......we had heard about this bus route from many people and it sure was something else. It was a five hour journey that saw us drive through the mountainous coastline and idyllic green scenery of the Vietnam coast....our first glimpse of the sea since Halong Bay.....there was a constant stream of stunning views for the whole journey, and it went so quickly, including a 40 minute drive through a man-made tunnel built through a mountain to make it easier to get down the country.........all in all a fantastic trip! Hoi An............shopping heaven! A serious torture town for a budgeting traveller!! The town is full of the most fantastic tailors (Stephen, Sophie and Steph........next time you want pink pants or white shirts, here is the place to come!!!!!ha ha) We stayed in a nice guesthouse, and with the recommendation of a few people we have met on our way, we visited B'Lan the tailors........and boy was she fantastic!! (Cheers Em and Gwil.......and Erica and Karen....HOW MUCH DID YOU GUYS BUY!!????!!! ha ha). Although restrained, we both indulged in some clothes buying and shoe fitting. Everything hand made to fit you like a glove, so have had some funky smart shorts made.....very cool.....a couple of vest tops, a dress, some jeans and 2 pairs of shoes..........was a very happy shopper!!!!! :-)...and a complete bargain so even happier! We stayed there for 3 days, also visiting the local, beautiful beach, it appears that although Vietnam is not renowned for its beaches, it really should be!! With every other aspect of Vietnam's history being so prominent, the beaches themselves are not busy or crowded, no families, no screaming kids, clear waters, like being in a bath, and plenty of water sports to indulge in if we get the chance! Fantastic. So, we left Hoi An last night.....our second and final 12 hour bus journey down to our current location Na Trang..........arrgghhh....what is it with me and buses...we just do not get along! All was going well, air conditioning worked, we had plenty of leg room, i was a happy camper....until 2.15am.......when low and behold the bus breaks down!! Engine is off, and the majority of it is placed on the side of the road by the driver, as they spend over an hour and a half 'fixing' it..........being the unqualified mechanics that they so obviously were, it was pure comedy watching 5 Vietnamese men all tackle the engine parts individually..............patience is a virtue when travelling Asia- FACT! ha ha So anyway, here now, safe and sound , and staying in the lovely, quaint Perfume Grass Inn. Nice room, and literally 200 metre walk from the beach! This is our final beach stop before continuing down South, so we intend on making the most of it! Although a burnt tummy and hips after yesterdays beach session means i am maybe going to explore the town today.......or maybe the museum Ive read about......or maybe catch up on some sleep.......who knows!!? ha. It is SO hot here....the further South we appear to be going the hotter it is. It's currently 7.30am, and the sun is shining brightly.......... We have met some other English girls on the bus and we are all heading out to explore the town this evening, as there are few recommended 'hot spots' for a boogie and a drink......I'm there! Anyway, this email was not supposed to be a full update, but appears to have turned out that way, but just to let you know that i have another phone at this hotel that people are able to contact me on, which is nice as there are NO international phone facilities anywhere, so in case of emergency, or in case you just want to give me a ring for a catch up, would be great to hear from any of you of course, but understand its not a local call cost!!...........Telephone number is 0084 5852 6433 and i am in room 204. We are staying here until Monday morning, and the best time to ring is any time after 6pm in England, as one of us should be in the room then! Only 11 more days in Vietnam, and then onto Cambodia......time is flying by, and I'm already into my 5th month away from home.........jeeze....where has the time gone! Anyway, hope you are all well, and i am still having a fantastic time, although missing you all as always. Lots of love to you all Ellen xx