20 - 22 February

Vietnam was mild and damp when we arrived, which was totally different to what we had experienced in China.

As soon as we crossed the border you could see the difference between the two cultures and their people. They were far friendlier and they didn't stare as much.

We arrived at our guesthouse but they didn't have any room, so they just put us in a different hotel. We spent the evening just getting to grips with the city.

Our first full day we went to the tranquil Temple of Literature, where all the mandarins and doctors studied in the capital for many hundreds of years. We then visited Han Lo Prison, where the French kept revolutionaries during their time there and which was then turned into an American prison, aptly named the Hanoi Hilton by the troops staying there, one of which was Senator John McCain.

Adam bought me Valentine's/Anniversary present, two silk tops. One of which was hand made and designed to suit and fit me perfectly. It was gorgeous, they hand embroidered it as well. I was so happy.

On our final day we went to see the island in the middle of the lake in the city and saw a mummified turtle. A turtle who ancestor hundreds of years ago stole a sacred sword from an emperor who had managed to fend off the Chinese with it. The turtle then returned it to the heavens. Turtles are seen as heavenly creatures in Vietnam.

Later that day we went to see the water puppet show, a show which dates back thousands of years. It was basically Vietnamese Punch and Judy performed in water, it was ace.

Hanoi was such a hectic city and the Old Quarter where we stayed was very beautiful. Old French colonial buildings mixed in with traditional Vietnamese style. I have never seen so many motorbikes in my life! Sometimes I revelled in the busy nature of the city other times I found it quite difficult. It was anxiety central, but defintely a city I shall never forget and remember fondly.