hey everyone, we've not forgotten about you all, and we are still alive and living the dream!!!

We've just been rushed off our feet here and the internets a bit unpredictable when uploading photos so you'll have to wait a few more days for the Vietnam pics we're afraid!

Arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, intially a bit apprehensive and felt very far from home, however threw ourselves into the swing of things and soon got used to the busy city life. Crossing the roads is so funny!! (the amount of traffic is unbelievable- thousands of motorbikes- organised chaos! They say here you can cross with your eyes closed- the traffic moves around you- we wouldn't dare though!)

Thursday (31st July), we went on a day trip to visit the Cao Dai Temple- a temple where 4 religions are brought together forming one- Cao Daism- they focus and pray to 'an eye'- who watches your every move. Watched a ceremony taking place- interesting to watch, but we won't be becoming followers!

We then went back on the bus to visit Cu Chi Tunnels (Where the Viet Cong hid from the Americans, right next to their own base camp), Just about managed to fit through the tunnels- a little chlostrophobic and amazing really to see that people lived down there for months at a time.

Friday- what an extraordinary day!!! We decided to visit a few of the city sights, so off we tot to the Notre Dam Cathedral and the post office (a lot grander than it sounds!). We then walked to the Rex Hotel for drinks on the rooftop cafe (in the top 1000 things to do before you die apparantly!). Just as we got our drinks, the fun began! The heavens opened and we wittnessed our first tropical thunder storm! Luckily under cover- we camped out and enjoyed beers and peanuts listening to the sound of the heavy rain on the canopy! Bit of a b***** we chose that place where the drinks are most expensive!!

We waited and waited for the rain to pass, but it just didn't! And we had a bus to catch so we had to go out and brave it! The water was shin deep (knee depth in some places!!) and we had to wade through the water to get back to our destination- our emergency ponchos half protecting us! We walked a fair bit before we were asked for a ride. Bearing mind we had tried hailing a taxi- but they were all full- typical when you need one!! The ride we were offered.... was on a cyclo! haha! This is a bicycle with a seat on the handlebars! So Rach hoped on and Ciara sat on top! Two peas in a pod! It was hilarioius we were in fits of giggles. The pictures say 1000 words!!!

That eve we got the overnight (damp!) bus to Nha Trang- which is apparently famous for it's beaches, but to be honest we weren't impressed (After all, we'd experienced living on 'the beach'), our standards are high! It is also famous for its nightlife- and we enjoyed a party on the beach at the 'Sailing Club'.

Yesterday (Sunday 3rd August), we enjoyed treating ourselves- if you can call it that!- at the mud baths. This involved laying in our own individual tubs full of hot muddy mineral water. The idea is to bathe in it, sunbathe in it (wait for it to dry), and then wash it off with a hot mineral water shower. A bit of relaxation was well needed after our night out!

Finally, we have travelled on another overnight bus from Nha Trang to Hoi An- our final destination in Vietnam! :-( Hoi An is known as a town oozing with charm and history- we're off for breakfast before we find out!

So now you're up to date... we promise we'll upload pics when arrive back in bangkok for our final night in Asia (boo hoo)...

Lots of Love,

Ciara and Rachi xxxxxxxxxxxxxx