Day 3 Long drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay - amazed how much stuff the Vietnamese carry on a moped - even saw one guy with a live cow strapped to the pillion! Loc our local tour guide is an absolute star - has taught me OMG in Vietnamese "Oi choi Oi" which I now use all the time! Halong Bay is beautiful but very touristique - so many boats it's like going round the M25 but stunning all the same. I actually swam in the bay (swimming lessons paid off!) but it was pretty filthy - I was very careful to keep my mouth shut! Dinner on the junk boat - more fish and of course more alcohol!!! Sat on deck until early hours with Jane and Dawn just taking in the serenity of the place. Thinking of my Dad who is 90 today bless him. Snoozing on a boat very restful. Got to be up at 5.00am tomorrow to get back to Hanoi for flight to Hue (former capital) see you tomorrow night.