Leaving Hanoi tomorrow morning bright and early for Halong Bay. We will be out on the water cruising in a junk overnight visiting limestone caves, snorkelling and kayaking. Can't wait. We were out and about today doing some shopping and went for a walk to Hoan Kiem lake which isn't too far from where we are staying. It's like an oasis in the middle of complete chaos! We went to the water puppet theatre tonight which was good before heading off to dinner and ...

Just arrived in Hanoi... We left Luang Prabang on Friday, catching the "VIP" bus to Vang Vien. What we thought would be a 5 hour trip in air conditioned comfort complete with toilet turned out to be a 7 hour trip in air conditioned discomfort being subjected to Chinese films and Laos hip hop music! With the toilet being avoided at all costs by myself! We arrived in Vang Vien finally, found a guesthouse and wandered around settliing down in a ba...

Just arrived in Hanoi... We left Luang Prabang on Friday, catching the "VIP" bus to Vang Vien. What we thought would be a 5 hour trip in air conditioned comfort complete with toilet turned out to be a 7 hour trip in air conditioned discomfort being subjected to Chinese films and Laos hip hop music! With the toilet being avoided at all costs by myself! We arrived in Vang Vien finally, found a guesthouse and wandered around settliing down in a ba...