Hi everyone, hope alls well. Im actually quite surprised we made it to Hoi An- basically after our Halong Bay trip we went back to Hanoi and we had 2 hours before our overnight train to Hoi An. Well, i had been sick for 5 days by then and was starting to worry so we were looking up words and trying to get the receptionist to translate some medical terms into vietnemese so that we could show the pharmacist. Well, the next thing you know she has phoned a taxi and we are dropped at Hanoi hospital- probably one of my worst nightmares- foreign hospitals but actually it was fine, waited a while, paid 12quid and got to see a doctor who prescribed me some meds etc...anyway time was ticking and we had pretty much given up hope of making our train but luck was in our favour and jumped aboard with about 5 minutes to spare onto the worst train of our trip so far and that's really saying something if you could have seen some of the previous trains! Steve couldnt believe such a terrible train with a disgustingly dirty squat toilet came with the luxury of a shower....i had to burst his bubble and explain its a tap for people to wash their bums(bun guns)! Lol!!!

The next morning we arrived in Hoi An and its amazing! I got a gorgeous dress tailor made and steve got a 3 piece suit.

Steve: Hoi An is quality. So much more chilled than Hanoi. Loads of Tailors selling their wears (sic). Ordered ourselves some tailored gear! Been wandering round the old town and enjoying the food. Typhoon is hitting at the moment (so it feels like Scotland except warmer).

Just heard that a boat capsized the night we were in Halong Bay and few people died including two Brits. That's so sad - we didn't know anything about it until today (28th) and thinking back the weather was just a little rainy at night and totally calm in the morning.

Steve and Shan x

UPDATE: we ended up stranded in Hoi An for an extra couple of days- it was quite a scary experience actually. The typhoon winds were the strongest ive ever been in and the whole first floor of the hotel flooded. We got moved upstairs and watched as the water rose. Outside the streets were flooded so high that people were passing on small boats. The next day we were evacuated by boat which was a surreal experience- the boats actually came into the hotel lobby and rowed us to dry land! All safe now!

Love Shanita xxx