Thursday 15th October

Sleeper bus was quite funny, quite a few backpackers on it a few of which like me thought the middle row of beds was a good bet, not so, I spent most of the night trying not to fall into the aisle. Got our first motorbike taxi when we arrived and Jules was in the reception when we got to the hotel. Had a much needed shower and Tom had a dip in the pool, very nice. I went with Jules to get some clothes made so hopefully they'll be ready tomorrow. Went for supper at 'Light Candle', a quirky restaurant with amazing food run by a sweet and slightly crazy lady. Had a wonder along the river front and found a few nice bars to play pool in and a restaurant for my birthday supper.

Friday 16th October

Went for a morning dip and had breakfast then headed down to the waterfront for a wonder on the otherside where we could see the damage caused by the floods a few weeks ago. We stopped for a few early birthday drinks then Tom went for a ride on the bike and Jules and I headed off to see if our clothes were ready. My shorts and one of the dresses were ready which I wore put this evening. Tom met us at the clothes shop (peace), and took me off to the posh Life Resort Hotel for a swim then went back to get Jules. We got some beers then Tom casually asked if I wanted to take our drinks up to our room, SURPRISE. The room/suite is perfect, it's so beautiful with seperate living area and bathroom with screen doors. We chilled by and swam in the infinity pool, another dream ticked, a perfect afternoon. We ate the best spring rolls, few more birthday drinks then started getting ready to go out. Whilst I was in the shower Tom had organised for the hotel to put rose petals on the bed and make me a cake, it was all too beautiful, I cried! We walked from the hotel along the lantern lit waterfront through the market to meet Jules outside the French restaurant I'd spied for my birthday supper. We treated ourselves to a bottle of wine which was so good, really hard to find good wine in Asia. The food was delicious too, we sat on the balcony overlooking the river and the bridge , perfect birthday meal. Quick check of emails and facebook, lots of birthday messages which was nice. Went back to Tam Tams with the Canadian and Americans who were on the same bus as us on the way down, played some pooland drank cocktails then back to Before and Now bar for more cocktails. Jules went home and we got a motorbike taxi with two crazy Ozzies out to a beach bar where we both jumped fully clothed into the swimming pool, danced and were merry. Best Birthday. Saturday, 17th October Stayed at the beach bartil 4am hen got the minibus home, I went to bed at around 6am and Tom went for a swim and breakfast in the hotel, I could not have faced anyone. Slightly hungover when we eventually got up, Tom went to get Jules. Bit of a slow day, mooched by the pool then watched tv and dozed. It rained like I've never seen rain before, armed with our massive hotel umbrellas we headed out to get some food. We walked through the market ankle deep in water but it was so warm it didn't really matter. Whilst eating dinner in one of the tarpauline covered restaurants Jules got soaked when a guy was trying to push the water out to the sides, too funny. The rest of our clothes were ready so we picked them up then Tom and I headed back to the hotel for supper which was great, the dining area had really high ceilings and pillars, lovely meal. Our intention was to get an early night but there were a few good films on so we made use of the huge tv, aircon and duvet, there's time for a lie-in tomorrow. Sunday 18th October Still raining! Got to Jules' hotel and booked the bus to Hanoi, hoping that the weather's improved for Halong Bay, the receptionist rang a friend up there who said the weather had been better. Raced back to the hotel and grabbed our bags, Tom's was pushing on the horn of the bike most of the way back as we raced through the rain, we must have looked like a right pair turning up horn blaring and soaked to the bone. Quick change of clothes then got the bus.