How long does it take to cross a border from Laos to Vietnam? Well for us - 4 DAYS!!! Mainly due to the fact that someone thought it would be funny to sell us a bus ticket for a bus that didn't exist!! This meant we were stuck in Phonsavan - THE dullest place on the face of the Earth! But, we finally made it accross and into country number 7!

The first major stop was the capital, Hanoi. We spent 2 days looking for a museum which, when we did eventually find wouldn't let us in! Some 'VIPs' were visiting - just the Rwandan president so no-one important - and we were refused entry. Shocking I know - to think that he has a higher status in Vietnam than us!! Anyway, we finally got to visit the war museum and the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum where his body is on show. It was a strangely peaceful and quite enjoyable experience.

We really enjoyed our first taste of Vietnam. The road crossing is not for the faint hearted and we are hoping to survive this leg of the trip!