Greetings from Vietnam!

This will be another hefty post, with an event that spelled disaster but turned out good in the end!

I decided to fly to Hanoi from Vientiane to avoid the 30 hour bus journey (tough decision.) Hanoi is beserk, the complete opposite of Laos. Crossing the road requires alot of bravery, you just walk out into a sea of motorbikes and pray they swerve round you. Apparently you're not a professional until you try crossing with your eyes shut. Not a chance! It is a beautiful city, with a terrific prison museum, the temple of literature and some delicious food. Vietnam is definitely my favourite country so far in SE Asia, it is exciting and infuriating all at the same time and really keeps you on your toes! I also had dinner with my brother's friend who lives in Hanoi with his family. A home-cooked meal at last!

I took an overnight trip to Halong Bay which is spectacular. You sail through stunning limestone peaks jutting out of the water on your junk (like a pirate ship.) After some sea kayaking and lots of jumping off the boat at sunset, I then spent the night on the junk. Nothing better than lying on deck with a nice cold beer under the stars...

I then took an overnight train to Sapa in the mountain, not far from the Chinese border. The scenery is incredible. Yesterday we trekked through the hills, rice paddies and visited some local villages. I've never seen scenery quite like it. My plans to possibly climb Mt Fansipan (highest mountain in Vietnam) were scuppered by the rain. I'm catching the sleeper train back to Hanoi and then heading south to Hue.

And now for the disaster story. This morning, in my brilliant hotel, after check out I nipped to the loo to change into some trousers for trekking. I put my camera and wallet on the sink and then forgot them as I nipped next door to the luggage room. I realised after literally one minute, went back and they were gone. I absolutely panicked and the hotel staff were incredible, practicallly locking down the hotel. Fortunately I had my passport and bank card on me. They searched staff quarters, everywhere but they were gone. I was so mad with myself and spent a good five minutes kicking my bag! I'd lost all my photos! The management were so upset as nothing like this had ever happened there and it had honestly been the nicest place I'd stayed since I've been away. After ten minutes, the manager then took me out onto the balcony to calm me down with a coffee. He then explained that a staff member had seen a small boy from one of the surrounding villages, who comes to the hotel to deliver rice, running away down the hill towards his village. He apologised profusely and then, dragging out the suspense, put my wallet (fully intact) and my camera on the table. I literally grabbed this poor bloke in a bear hug! They'd tracked the boy down and retrieved the stuff. I then spent ten minutes grabbing every staff member and hugging them, I think they probably think I'm slightly deranged! I've convinced them not to punish the boy, the poverty near here is severe and he didn't steal it from my bag, I stupidly left it. Even though it was all my fault, the hotel were so apologetic. I am so bloody lucky! I have used up all my nine lives now...

So I'm now recovering with a beer and thanking my lucky stars. Moral of the story: don't leave your valuables lying around in toilets!

Hope everybody's well, pity england were completely stuffed in the rugby...

Lerve Jonny