Got our flight bright and early this morning. The Bangkok DMK airport is quite small and pretty easy to manoeuvre around so that made it simple enough.

We got on our flight and I must say I've never been as grateful to be a small thing and not 6 feet tall. If you think Ryanair is bad for leg room, you really should try a flight with Air Asia. Luckily enough we didn't have a very long flight. I know we've only started our travels but we're good at occupying ourselves of we've to wait about so things should be pretty chilled from here on in. Fingers crossed!!

When we arrived into Hanoi Airport sure we hadn't a clue where we were going. Different language and their customs man wasn't exactly the friendliest chap I've came across. I'll put it down to a bad day but Jesus that man could do with cracking a small every so often.

As we were leaving the airport we all realised that we'd a different currency to deal with and needed to get some Dong (who chooses the names of these currencies).., Dong, Dong, Dong, Dong, Dong! ;) they also work in dollars, just to really confuse the whole thing.

We came out of the airport as millionaires and oh boy do I think it will be hard to get used to this currency. We'd only booked a hostel and so we needed to find our way to the city centre to find our hostel. After a lot of hounding we found an airport shuttle which cost only $2 and brought us to the city centre. The bus was packed and the poor driver was surrounded in rucksacks, cases and bags galore although I have to say he was a lunatic and loved laying on his horn. This is definitely a new experience.

Arrived at our hostel the Hanoi Backpacker which is lively and went for a little walk. It didn't take me long but I've worked out Emer and Claire are just as hungry as I am so I'm sorted! :) ill never go hungry.

On our exploring tour I and the girls got done out of 150,000 Dong for the fabulous profile picture to this blog. We were waking along and way to much in holiday mode when 3 women with there little shoulder carrier things and said to take pictures etc. we then got made to pay for pineapple. Needless to say we'll not be caught with that one again. Just to put that into euro it's roughly €5:35 for a tiny bag of pineapple. I like pineapple but not that much.

We'd a great two days in Hanoi and went site seeing where we saw the Palace, Memorial Stand and lots of other sites as well as nearly getting killed while crossing the road. Our new way of doing it is to pretty much close your eyes and they seem to go around you. The people on their horns all the time would really grate on your nerves but its a matter of getting used to.
We discovered that Emer is absolutely shocking and doesn't possess a sense of direction even when doing a joey and getting into the map! Thankfully myself and Claire are managing perfectly and haven't got us lost yet!'

We took a bit of time to plan out a rough Vietnam itinerary so we at least have something to run with. It's going to be go with the flow.

I'm excited to say we're heading off to what looks like the amazing Halong Bay tomorrow to stay on an island for the night. Up early again! I can see a trend starting.