So after an eventful day of travelling yesterday by local boats I find myself in a small place called NInh Binh. It is only 100km from Halong Bay but took two buses and about 7 hours to eventually get here. The bus was an experience in itself. Lets see how many people you can get onto one seat. Obviously I am not the smallest person in the world but on my seat there was me another lady and het baby that kept wiggling around.

Anyway here in one piece and so far have had a little cycle around the town and heading out with a guide today to see some of the sites near here.

It is really cold here in the north and had to wash my socks last night and dry them with a hairdryer this morning as they were still soaking wet.

I have watched a man taking his buffalos for a walk and traditional people tending to their rice and veg in the fields. They all do actually wear the traditional hats and live relatively simple lives.