Vietnam really did take me by surpise as to what a wonderful country it is and how we could get by there with everything being great value for money. A few things noted while I wave goodbye :- - Always agree a price beforehand with anything that isn't written down - In the south (Ho Chi Minh) every othe shop was selling bridal dresses and we never really found out why! - In the north is was more artwork and painting which were beautiful. - The most enjoyable ...

We got up fairly early and decided to go and explore the capital. Callum and Dan joined us and we went to the market (which turned out to be not a very good one), looked at caged tortoises and a lot of tack which included piles of football tops, jumpers, leather jackets, and even childrens shoes with Psy who released the song 'Gangnam style' on - bizarre things that we are sure people wouldn't need in this 30 degree heat. Lauren was really desperate for more pair...

Sunday - Trip Day 2 Awoken at 7am, we all shuffled in for breakfast and had to check out of the boat as tonight we were staying on Freedom Island. Some people had only booked the 2 day trip so at this point left us (including Christof), and we were merged with the sister boat next door so had a new group of people join. Dad also left us at this point, and we had a new tour guide who was only 23 and was a lively character who us girls decided would be referred to...

In my last blog I forgot to mention we were transported to Da Nang which was about an hour away to fly out from the airport there to Hanoi (when I researched this before coming out to Vietnam it wasn't clear to me how to be getting around, but once you're in a place its easier to book and listen to the locals). Most hostels will sort a transfer for you usually paid in American dollars. At this point mine and Lauren's ability to say Hello and Thank you in Vietname...

After checking into the Sunflower Hostel, we went for a wonder to a recommended tailors, 'Peace' to have some clothes made, ate some lunch in the afternoon and then had a nap before going out for dinner with a group of people (one guy we had met in the reception area waiting to leave on the night bus at our hostel in Nha Trang - Wesley!) who was sharing a dorm with the rest of the group, Florian, Rachel, Teresa and Will. We all walked into the centre and went to ...