Hanoi - much more grown up than Saigon and the people more reserved - but still the same old crazy traffic. We negotiated it with enormous hangovers and managed to find somewhere really horrible to stay - poor old (and I say 'old' in the 'now you're 31 and you cant take the piss out of me anymore' sense) Mike. Not much of a birthday, although the night before made up for it to some extent. And i didnt even get him a present, although i was suitably guilty and ...

In a word - Chaos! Driving from the airport to the hotel was a very nerve wracking experience as the world's craziest drivers reside in Saigon! There are millions of motorcycles all swarming around not believing in traffic lights or going the right way down the road. It only got better as Flavia explained the process whereby one has to cross the roads - just close your eyes and walk slowly across. Don't worry she said, the bikes, cars and buses will swerve ar...