Alrighty then. Quick update on Vietnam. It's bloody hot. Thailand was hot, Cambodia was hotter and Vietnam is hotter still.

So, after leaving the Delta by bus hopping a total of about 4 buses following a couple of boat trips and a climb of Sam Mountain to see the Pagoda and views, I found myself in HCMC, (Saigon). Otherwise known as Honda City or Moto City, (9 million people, 5 million mopeds....!). Seriously, the place is crazy - you take your life in your own hands just crossing the road. I was determined not to get on the back of one but failed - needed a lift to get my bus and was picked up by moto and whizzed through rush hour with my backpack threatening to pull me off the back. All good fun though. HCMC was actually pretty cool - plenty of Farangs and bars to drink in - found a 'local' bar, (somebodies house I think who dumped a load of plastic chairs out front), where they served home brew from 1 litre plastic bottles for about 25 pence...... Tonnes of Farangs there including another 3 from Brighton, (seriously, either somebodies trying to tell me something or Brighton is rubbish and everyone wants to leave....... I've met more people from Brighton than anywhere else).

Despite seeming an OK place, I realized I needed a beach so it was off to Mui Ne. Not before I did the Cu Chi tunnels - where the Vietcong hid out and terrorized the Us and South Vietnamese armies. These guys knew how to fight, (dirty) - built tunnels right into the US bases, made traps from the metal of unexploded US bombs and basically took the piss out of the awesome fire power of the US Army. Our guide was a Veteran and an ex tunnel rat and he had some stories. I would not of wanted to of been an American on that tour........ The tunnels themselves were bloody small, apparently though I don't suffer from claustrophobia, (although after 10 mins I was beginning to think I needed to get out!). At the end of the trip you have a chance to shot AK47's, M16's, M60's, Colt 45's etc). Loads of people did but call me a wimp but didn't appeal. After the horrors of Cambodia and the stories our guide, Mr Bingh, shared, it didn't feel right. Plus, I'm a lover not a fighter...... 'Me bird' nearly got into trouble though flying across the shooting range...... Interesting trip ending up with me drinking Snake Wine with the Mr Bingh. I think I have found a substitute for Tuaca. Now carrying a bottle around with me. Supposed to be very good for you and have alot of medicinal qualities...... All I know is Mr Bingh said if you have 2 you are dancing!

First impressions of Vietnam after the Delta and HCMC - well, I feel like I'm being ripped off all the time and I still haven't got my head around the money - I think it's around 25000 to one pound but when you hand half a million Dong over you can't help but feel that it's a hell of alot of money. The people range from being really friendly, to very annoying, (grabbing your arm, forcing things into your hands and following you for miles trying to sell you stuff or get you on their bike), to just very unfriendly. I'm currently out on the food. Everyone raves about it but not sure I'm enjoying it.

Mui Ne next stop - beach and kite surfing. Hoping to catch up with various people and travel up North with them - so far everyone I've met seems to be going the other way and headed to Koh Pha Ngan for New Year, (Full Moon falls on New Years Eve - for the first time in something like 40 years. Going to be a huge party, 60000 people or more........). Apparently, I'm doing Vietnam the wrong way, supposed to go North to South. Who'd of thought there was a right and a wrong way to do these things, (bloody Lonely Planet and it's suggested Itineraries...... just because they have Hanoi at the beginning of the book and HCMC at the end).

Speak to you guys soon - hope you're all being good and enjoying the festivities, (massive inflatable Santa's, Snowmen and glow in the dark Reindeer's is what I've got to get me in the mood!).

Oh, and most random thing in HCMC was lady pushing some scales around. Should not have been as amusing as it was but still, we all got weighed and our height taken before the scales shout out your stats, (in Vietnamese), indicate with flashing lights if you are under or over weight or 'optimum' and then gives you a print out with it on. I'm 'optimum' although don't know how after a month of no exercise, loads of cheap food and too much beer.