This is an unsponsored commercial for VIETNAM 1. Get here soon before everyone else finds out that it is the best place in South East Asia at the moment. 2. Get to the North.. to the mountains and the 1969 islands of Halong 3. Use www.handspan.com for all your arrangements. I have been totally swept away by this part of my trip. I (stupidly) had expected that everything here might be more basic than it has turned out. HOw wrong I was. Roads, trains, services, hotels, toilets........everything works and on time. And the country is beautiful beyond belief........ranging from cloud shrouded mountains in the north to the stark beauty of the islands punching their way from the seabed off the coast of Halong City. And the people..........well I was going to say that they exhibit hope and determination in their every move but that would be selling them short. They demonstrate anticipation ( that it will happen) and determination (to make sure that it will). When they promise to do something you can rest assured that it will happen....and within less time than you anticipated. On the practical side I have been hill treking in temperatures of over 80 degrees and kayaking through open seas for over two hours. As before I have been very lucky in the company I have shared.. with a great couple from Belgium in the mountains and a dozen fellow travellers from Australia, USA and New Zealand. Off tomorrrow for some R & R in Thailand. Last message...........get to Vietnam. Fly to Bangkok,,,,,,,,,take a cheap local carrier (return $120) to Hanoi.........and then enjoy one of the times of your life. Gordon