Well our planned itinerary was that we arrive early in the morning on the train, have day use of a room at the hotel and then head to the airport for our scheduled flights home.....all well and good for everyone else. I arrived back in Hanoi as sick as a dog...so sick that the tour guide took one look at me and promptly took me to the SOS Medical Clinic....i was too sick to put up any argument. At the clinic I had IVs put in, examined by multiple doctors of multiple nationalities, blood tests etc etc. The final decision being that I was given a medical certificate saying I was unfit to fly!!!! GREAT.....get presented with the bill for their 4 hours...over $800 USD!!!! Thy nearly had to treat me for a completely different ailment......so back to the hotel we head.

Luckily the hotel was able to provide me with a room and only charged the tour rate. I got to the room with all my potions, sprays etc and promptly fell into bed to try and sleep......but no that was not to be.......well meaning people kept ringing my room or mobile to check how I was feeling!!!!! Half of me was grateful that so many cared and the other half of me just wanted to crawl up and die. I have never felt so ill with really what was sinusitis and a severe middle ear infection (hence no flying). Once everyone else headed out to the airport it suddenly hit me...here I was in a strange city, sick as a dog and not knowing anyone!!!!! The hotel staff were so caring and helpful it almost bought me to tears. They offered to go and get me anything from shops, offered room service (even though they don't usually offer this) and checked on me at least twice a day. The clinic had told me to return in 3 days and they would see if I was fit enough to fly so i truly appreciated the kindness from the hotel staff.

After 48 hours of being stuck in bed I needed to get out and about to get some fresh air. The hotel staff were very concerned but I assured them I would take it very easy and return as soon as I felt weak. And so for the next 2 days that is what I did....wander about the city having a look around...back to bed for a while...out again taking photos...etc until it was time to go back to the clinic. On the last day I took myself off to see Hoa Lo Prison aka the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

Back at the clinic I was finally given the all clear to fly. Still felt ill and very weak but just wanted to get home. I certainly didn't want any arguments from airlines!!! Vietnam airlines were really good to me, getting me on a flight directly to Melbourne rather than go through Sydney (one less descent and ascent for my ears). As for Virgin Blue.....well.......I have to say I am embarrassed to call them an Australian airline. Called them from Hanoi but was told not to worry until I landed in Melbourne and they would sort my flight out to Hobart. Oh yes they sorted me out alright and charged me for a FULL economy fare - more than the cost of flying from Hanoi to Melbourne!!! I could not believe it and to make matters worse the flight wasn't even full so its not like they had to move someone!!!!

I just had to accept it....too sick to argue.....just wanted to get home to my own bed and recover properly. Not exactly the way I would have chosen to extend my holiday but I did get to see a bit more of Hanoi...... all in all a fantastic holiday to one of my favourite countries in the world.