OK, so ive got to update this as im over a week behind and currently have no idea what day I was where. This should help me remember- !

So Monday was my dodgey flight with Lao airlines to Hanoi where I think i last updated. Arrrived early monday morning and after a nightmare trying to find the hostel (as the drivers tend to like to dump you at the ones they get comission for!) we got to hanoi backpackers- thanks stu! Really nice to be in a hostel as oppossed to a guest house as you get to meet loads more people.

Hanoi is a crazy place. Firstly you have the crazy traffic and the mopeds. Crossing the road is the most exciting thing ever- you just have to walk out and keep walking and somhow all the bikes just dodge round you. Then theres the streets in the Old city. Each road has shops which sell the same stuff. You can navigate through shoe street, locksmith street and my personal favourite bamboo street. I am still at a loss as to how people make money in asia as nowhere have I seen places that understand the terms 'market saturations' and 'niche'. It really is a strange way to do business. Anyway spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering around and deciding that Vietnam is alot more expensive than the rest of asia. Loved the gorgous lake in the middle of the old city -its very romantic. It seems that the Vietnamese boys take their girlfriends there in the evening- everyone drives a moped and they just pull up and stare in to the lake. Its very  cute.  There appears to be an unwritten law of distances between mopeds as one couple drove round the lake at least about four times. Lol. 

Next day got up early to go Halong Bay. Stuuuunnning. Mini bus took three hours and then we arrived at the port where 16 of us were shipped on to one of the many massive wooden boats.  Didn't really know what to expect but we were treated as absolute royalty for three days. Our guide Nuk was kool and the food on the boat was amazing. Had a fish feast every meal(massive prawns mum) loads of veg and rice so I was in heaven. Think I ate everything. First day we motored out to the bay, went to a cave and spent the evening sitting on the boat and enjoying another lovely meal. Next day got up early for a painful 2hours of kayaking. Me and Laura despite being pro's due to our Lao adventure spent most of the time at the back which was embarrassing- i blame the boat. In the afternoon we motored over to a secluded beach resort opposite the main island of Cat Ba. This was amazing and I will post photos at some point! Little beach huts sun sea, it was paradise esp. after spending an enormous amount of time on buses. Think I could have stayed forever but heyho next day was back to the ratrace. (N.B worst mini bus ride back ever scores a 9/10 for uncomfortableness and bumps)

Evening checked back in to the hostel and chilled out in a pizza place and went to see the water puppet theatre. Im not a big one for theatres neway but this was all in Vietnamese. Music was ok tho.  

Morning went to visit the national history museum - thought id better do something educational. Go me!  

Also- I have a new vietnamese camara. After two hours in the shop debating with the guy about whether or not I trusted him I think he was really to give me the thing for free. I can only bring it back to Vietnam if it breaks which isnt the best guarentee ive ever had but its all good.

xx