We arrived in Hanoi yesterday after a very early morning in Singapore. At 6am we had to run down the road to get cash out of ATM (note to self: check in all hostels on arrival that they accept credit cards). After over 1hr on the MRT, during which Hol almost passed out - I told her to have breakfast, lucky for her I carry chocolate almost everywhere - we arrived at the airport. Had the best meal on the plane, fillet steak no less! I love Singapore Airlines! Hanoi airport is kind of sparse, or like landing on Snoring airfield according to Hol. Immigration is pretty formal too, no niceties from the officers, if they even manage a smile. We were met by a guy from the hotel though and then we were thrust straight into Hanoi traffic. It is as mad as you have heard, motorcycles everywhere, hideously polluted and horns beeping constantly. You do actually walk into oncomming traffic, and it does go around you like they say. It's strange how quickly you get used to it. We walked down to Hoan Kiem Lake yesterday afternoon and we were soon approached by a young woman called Tham who asked if she could practice her English with us. She was so greatful that we didn't mind she brought us an ice cream and we chatted for over an hour. She taught us a little Vietnamese also, but we are yet to become fluent. We went for a walk around the Old Quarter of the City today which was interesting. Hanoi is worlds apart from anything either one of us has ever seen. We are getting hastled a lot to get Cyclo rides and keep getting asked if we need directions etc but we're getting used to it. We went back to the lake this afternoon to relax a little and met another young girl who asked if she could join us. She explained to us that the Vietnam education system is very poor and she hopes to study in the UK next year. Tham joined us again for more help with her pronounciation. They are not at all pushy, just grateful for the opportunity to improve their language skills and their job prospects in turn. Tham explained to Holly that if her English improves enough she will work in a hotel in Hanoi and hopes to earn $100 US Dollars a month. How lucky we are. Tomorrow we are off to see Uncle Ho in his Mausoleum and then at 7pm we're catching a bus to Hue which will take about 14hrs. We are stopping at Hue, Hoi An and Nha Trang before Ho Chi Minh City and the journey will cost us $29. Crazy isn't it. Anyway friends we bid you farewell from Hanoi. Eye opening I think is the best way to describe the city, but I think we're both glad we came. Love to all, missing you lots. Hayley & Holly xxx