TAILOR-MADE IN HOI AN DAY 50: Hoi An Most people that come to Hoi An take advantage of its tailoring tradition and get clothes made to fit at a snip of the price you'd pay back home, so that was high on our agenda today. After dropping off our laundry at reception (they made me write down every item in our 8kg load of washing) and booking some tours and travel, we headed out in search of a tailor. There are literally hundreds on offer in Hoi An, many on the ...

THE NIGHT WE STAY NHI DAY 49: Halong Bay to Hoi An via Hanoi Today was an early start as we had a lot to pack in before we went back to the harbour, so after another hearty breakfast at 7am we set sail for Sung Sot Cave. This is the biggest series of caves in Halong Bay and the biggest one was huge. It would make an awesome nightclub or Batcave. After an hour of 'oohing' and 'ahhhing' at stalagmites, stalactites and a rock shaped like an erect penis lit up l...

HOW LONG TO HALONG? DAY 48: Halong Bay Picked up by coach after breakfast we set off on our lengthy bus ride to Halong Bay for our overnight stay on a traditional junk boat (see photo - not our boat. Same same, but different). It was only three and a half hours but it felt like forever as we bounced and tooted through the villages and towns along the way. Our friendly guide was called Khoa (pronounced Wha), or Tony to those that struggled to pronounce his na...

CAFE CULTURE DAY 47: Hanoi Today primarily centred around eating, drinking and chatting in different establishments in Hanoi. After breakfast we used the hotel's friendly in-house travel agent to arrange our travel to Hoi An, our destination after tomorrow's two day trip to Halong Bay (both destinations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Our original plan was to get an overnight train to Danang (for Hoi An) costing £24, meaning transport and accommodation wa...

THREE'S COMPANY DAY 46: Hanoi Another early awakening saw me head out for breakfast at about 7.30am to the bakery we went to yesterday. This time I bought three pastries - one for the way back and one each for me and Jen when I got back to the room. Well, it's only fair. Although I didn't do a very good job at hiding my greed as Jen busted me when I got back. Left the wrapper in the carrier. We checked out of our room at 11am and trudged through the streets ...