This mornings bus, boat, bus ticket from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island made no effort to even attempt a toilet break and the 6 hour journey proved an amazing fete of bladder control. We also managed to catch up with the hopeless players from warrington Ben and Tom who we met weeks ago down south. The follow few days on Cat Ba Island have been planned in order to slow the pace of our Vietnam trip down as we both agree that it has flown by. We hope that by sitting on a beach and having a few lazy days will do the trick and erase the feeling of unfinished business when it comes to our Vietnam trip. This said we have done something-ish for 25 days solid and this pace and style of traveling is definitely the way to go. We were anxious whether we would get the quiet break we wanted as the hostel we had booked was named "Fullmoon Party Hostel" but the price and reviews were too hard to ignore. $6 per night and surprisingly it is quiet, clean and spacious and we get free breakfast.

On a reconnaissance mission this evening "The INV" were out in force and the beach was packed. We may have to find a better beach tomorrow.

M & C xxxx