Happy birthday to me . Yes today is the 4th December, but it's still the 3rd in UK Yesterday lunch time we boarded a classic wooden boat, 9 adults and 2 children. It's a bit like the river Nile there is hundreds of boats. This time we are 1 English ,1 Swedish girl with Aussie boyfriend, 1 Japanese guy, 2 germans one has his Botswana wife two kids.plus 2 other blokes that I'm not sure as they are continually moaning (Serbia it seems) So quite a mixture. So ...

What I forgot to mention was about the little old lady at the homestay in The village called Van Tan. Sapa She was 83 dressed immaculate in a beautiful mauve outfit, which if you saw the conditions in the village would be a as surprised as me. Never spoke a word of English But the guide was telling us that 30 years ago she was really poorly, wouldn't or couldn't eat. So they made her coffin which sits around the side of the house, apparently when she saw it...

Do you like my picture one of my helpers down the slopes. Well train arrived back at 5.00 am this morning, worst part here is Taxi drivers, rip you off if you havent got any idea. I was trying to get a set price and finally this guy agreed made me follow him, but I sensed it wasnt right took me to his motor bike. I done a runner back to station. Meet a Spanish lady having the same trouble she had been quoted 800,000 dong which is about 40.00 pd should be only 40...

30th November Day started at 9.30 after a good breakfast and a good night sleep, with a duvet and heater. For the first time I was really cold. It's been a full on day with a Vietnamese guide and 8 other travellers from all over the world, Ireland, France, Belgium Spain he was a little older than the rest. Very nice but not as old as me. Haha. ( nobody is) Aussie girl and a Swiss bloke. Some of them had meet up before so had come together but quite a mixture....

Well didnt think I was going to write today, but hanging around waiting to be taken to catch train to Sapa for a 10 hour night trip. This afternoon I had fun at cookery lesson, he took me around the market first showing me different products it was really good. So learnt how to make a Vietnamese salad, spring rolls and chicken with lemon grass. Then we had to eat it, it was excellent even had chillies in and wasnt to hot for me as he showed how to make it no...