31st January - Stressing all the way to the border over visa stuff because we've heard some horror stories about scams. When we got there it was such an easy process even though we were the only people who needed to buy a visa. We just weren't told what to do until the last minute, but we payed the normal amount (20 dollars) and got a real visa and back on the bus. Rest of the journey watched a pirate copy of 'Prince of Persia' which had hilariously incorrect sub...

25th January Arrived in Nha Trang at 5am, had about 2 hours sleep due to the bumpiest roads ever (we were in the back which didn't help the situation). Strolled to the beach like zombies, there was so many people just sitting, jogging and stretching as if it were normal! Sat on the beach and watched the sunrise (there was an island in the way though). Got to backpackers at 6am but couldn't check in until 12! Had the closest thing to an English breakfast we've se...

20th Jan - Hoi An Arrived in Hoi An - famous for it's cheap tailor suits and dresses - told by restaurant owners and hostel owners to go to their cousins tailor as they are 'the best in town - cheap cheap!' Next day we wandered through the old town to the market loads of lovely jewellery - pretty dissapointed at how much everything is - quite nice necklace - 1000,000dong (30pounds!) Most were not willing to be bartered down at all. The market was bonkers! Got ...

17th January - Hue Exhausted we clambered off the bus (shoeless) tried to get our bags as loads of men tapped us on the shoulder and shouted "TAXI! YOU COME I TAKE HOTEL!" After saying no thank you politely and walking away several times we had KFC - ergh, but was served with cutlery on plates! Fancy! Found our hostel pretty easily after asking KFC staff where we were, people seem so friendly. As we walked past men selling paintings we said "no ...

Arrived at little Hanoi hostel, down a pretty creepy alley to lovely smiling people giving us lots of tea and watermelon - or watta lemon as he called it.. Very excited at our room as it was beautiful! Went for a lush 2 course meal at a lovely restaurant for 3pounds each! We felt really christmassy as it was really cold! everyone in hats and scarfs, and christmas lights everywhere - actually quite liked the cold for a change, felt homely. Unfortunatly the next da...