Xin Chao!

As you'll have guessed we are in actual fact writing this from our home in Melbourne over three weeks after returning to Australia on the 26th January.

Due to holdup getting the internet connected, we haven't been able to update you on our memorable two weeks in Vietnam on route from Scotland to Australia.

We arrived in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) on 8th January and were immediately immersed in the incredibly bustling, busy, not to say crazy city. There are 10 million inhabitants with approximately 5 million motor scooters which makes crossing the road a real art form!

Despite it being winter, the south of Vietnam is tropical so we had to quickly acclimatise to the heat and to help with this process, we took on a two day tour of the Mekong Delta close to the border with Cambodia. This very fertile rice growing area, famous for it's floating markets, wide range of fruits and local delicacy........headless skinned rats(!) we did NOT try them (but you can see the photo!). Was a great way to get to know the country. The relaxed and very friendly people coupled with the cheapness of everything made us feel very comfortable very quickly. A unique experience whilst staying in the Delta area was a massage provided by a charity helping the blind gain skills and employment.

We headed back to Saigon to meet up with Nat's brother Daniel and his girlfriend Liz, who were flying in from Melbourne. We visited the Vietnam War Museum (traumatic) and wandered around the amazing city.

We also visited the Cu Chi tunnel complex which is quite an experience including firing live ammunition!

We flew north (due to time constraints) to Hoi An in central Vietnam and spent three great days in this beautiful town famous for it's laid back lifestyle and 400-500 tailor shops! We were swept up in the clothing and shoe buying frenzy and had to buy an additional bag to transport all our purchases back to Australia (and thanks to Dan and Liz for taking on some extra baggage on our behalf!).

We flew north for a second time, this time to Hanoi and had a day dodging the even more incredible traffic as Daniel commented it was the only time he was ever a pedestrian not being able to move as the scooters were spilling off onto the pavement and every laneway!

We viewed the body of Ho Chi Minh which is on display and the other memorials to this god like figure in Vietnam.

We then headed on the overnight train north to the border with China for two days trekking in Sapa. Although quite touristy, it was great to have a couple of days in the countryside surrounded by the unique village tribal people in the area. We were very lucky to have great weather throughout our stay there.

After only a couple of hours back in Hanoi, we headed on our final tour to the world famous Halong Bay. Although the weather was overcast and wet, we had a wonderful day and night cruising around the 1969 limstone pinnacles protruding from the waters. We slept the night on the boat and enjoyed a kayak around the bay.

We arrived back in Hanoi in time to take part in the TET (New Year) festivities which included Mal being interviewed by Vietnamese TV (but unfortunately it didn't make the final cut!). We had a great dinner with travellers met during our time in Halong Bay to mark the occasion.

We loved our time in Vietnam and would thoroughly recommend it. The friendliness, wonderful food, cheap beer(!), all made for a great experience.

We are now settling back to life in Melbourne and look forward to welcoming you here if you are ever passing!