Day 59 (Sunday 3rd Feb 08)

Got up early as planning to head up to Halong Bay by public bus. As we were checking out we were talking to the guy from the hotel and he said we shouldn't take the public bus there as it will be packed with everyone travelling around tet and we would likely have stuff stolen from us. Went down to the lake with our bags and had some breakfast at a cafe while we decided what to do. Then went back up to the travel agent up the road and asked about Open Bus tickets as this seemed to be the only way we would be able to travel through Vietnam especially around tet. Decided we would stop at Ninh Binh first and that the bus was leaving at 6:30pm that evening so we had the whole day to kill. A bit unsure we left our bags at the travel agent and went off for a walk around the lake. Found a shopping mall so decided to go in and have a wander round and stop for a drink and hopefully keep warm for a bit! Stayed in there most of the day and then went to watch the water puppet show at 4pm. It was very good and definitely something different to watch! Made our way back towards the travel agent and stopped for a drink at Little Hanoi as we were still to early. Met another couple travelling. It was their first day in Hanoi and they were feeling a bit overwhelmed so they were pleased to see some other tourists. Went back to the travel agent for 6:30pm where we then had to wait for about an hour until the minibus came to pick us up to take us to the bus. When the minibus turned up it was so packed we didn't know how we would fit in. All the seats were taken and there were also loads of bags pilled in. Our bags were pilled ontop and we crouched between the seats and the door. Noone could believe it when we then stopped for 2 more people and 2 more big bags. Somehow they managed to squeeze in and we ended up standing until we got to the bus. Finally at the bus, managed to squeeze our bags on and find seats with the stinking smell of feet!! Had to wait again for ages until we left. Em managed to sleep most of the way and Mark spent most of the way shocked at how they drive over here, trying not to watch but not being able to stop himself. Arrived in Ninh Binh at about 11pm and got dropped at the side of the road on the highway. Not really sure what to do, luckily a guy from a hotel down the road came up and showed us the way to his hotel. Looked at one of the rooms knowing we couldn't go anywhere else as it was so late and we didn't know where to go. It was the nicest room we stayed in for a while! Heating and a duvet! Very happy to have found such a nice place!

Day 60 (Monday 4th Feb 08)

Got up early as we decided we wanted to have a look around to see if we would move on down to Hue tonight or stay an extra night. Had some breakfast and the very helpful guys at the hotel showed us some of the places we could go off and see. Decided we would make the journey down to Hue tonight so the guy rang and booked us on. Hired two push-bikes and went off along the highway! The most scary place we have ever had to cycle. The driving over here is very scary and you definitely don't want to be too close. Made it to the quieter road up to Tam Coc. Beautiful place once we arrived, had a look around and took some photos. Then carried on up to the Big Pagoda meeting some Vietnamese on the way. Again got some good pictures and had a wander around. Push-biked back to Tam Coc and stopped at a guest house for a beer and toilet stop! Then carried on along to Mua Cave. As it wasn't open we couldn't get very close but stopped for some pictures and carried on the long ride to Hoa Lu. Very bumpy roads, stopped for some Spring Rolls in a quiet restaurant. Had a look around Hoa Lu which wasn't as great as the other places had been with small children begging for money all the time and Em being freaked out by an old guy in one of the temples trying to grab her all the time. Started our long ride back hoping we would get back before dark. Unfortunately had another long ride along the busy highway so it was very nice to see the hotel again after a 25 mile ride! Waiting around now for the overnight bus journey to Hue.....Had something to eat at the hotel and the bus arrived at 9pm, we got our backpacks on and walked down to the bus. After putting our bags in the luggage compartments of the bus we took our boots off and found our sleepers. We were both on the top bunks and there wasn't exactly a lot of room for us, our boots and our little bags. As we went bouncing off down the road we managed to squeeze everything onto our sleepers and tried to lie down best we could every now and again being bounced out of our sleepers. Within about 10mins of being on the bus Mark said he wasn't doing this again! Tried our best to get some sleep.