On 20th Sept (Happy birthday yellow hat!) we crossed the border into Vietnam. The border crossing was called 'Friendship Gate' and was between Pinxiang (China) and Dong Dan (V).

We woke up on the sleeper train to Nanning- there were only hard sleeper beds available when we booked- a new experience from soft sleepers- which have four bed compartments. the hard sleeper had triple bunks, in sections of six beds, but with only very thin walls between, and no doors- essentially a carriage with sixty hard beds. As we strolled towards the train, we didnt even wonder why everyone else were rushing- until we arrived, and realised each six beds has a tiny table with two seats, and you couldn't sit up in bed- very achy necks! The Chinese people in our section were lovely- kept giving us different foods to try- and laughing at me as i dropped things from top bunk.

Didn't like Nanning at all- awful smell, and really confusing- no one spoke any English, or were prepared to look at the Chinese word we'd found in our guidebook for long distance bus station- we had to jump in taxi and hope for best. It all worked out! The bus to Pingxiang, where a local bloke asked if we wanted to share a taxi to the border- then he argued with taxi driver for ages over 5 yuan (about 40p)- we didn't mind paying the extra!

Arriving at the border- we were slightly nervous having read someone's blog on the internet saying you need an ak47 as the crossing is dangerous! We had no problems though- except the confusing system on Vietnamise side, and taxi drivers hassling us madly once we'd crossed- not a great first impression.

After a 3 hour bus journey we arrived in Hanoi. Great first impressions- narrow streets with shops with loads of stuff we wanted to buy! Lovely staff at hotel. Amazing first dinner- best of the trip so far. Tuna steak in a lemon sauce- Will had this! And loved it!

We visited a prison museum next day- where John Mccain went to in Vietnam war! lots of reading, and a French guillotene and I bought some new shoes! Very exciting!

Booked trip to Halong Bay- world heritage site a bay with over 1000 islands and caves. We went for deluxe rather than standard- due to a/c but still not expecting much as 60 pound between us for overnight on boat, all meals, kayaking, visiting caves, swim etc! We were very surprised- looked so posh! Lovely room- with ensuite. Only 12 people, and everyone was so friendly- French, German, Korean, Israeli and American. Saw amazing cave- will put photos up soon- cant explain! Loved kayaking and swimming on beach- only problem was lots of jellyfish kept creeping up on us. Lots of fish for lunch/dinner- Will tried and enjoyed it all! Possible break through! Lots of cheap beer with French and German guys! Think everyone had a brilliant time!

On arrival in Hanoi followng afternoon we had booked night bus to Hue- decided afterwards this was a mistake as we were panicking we might miss it when the bus from Halong was late- but we did make it ok- Will and another guy had to help push start the mini bus that came to take us to bus stop! The bus was awful- real experience but never again! Three rows of bunk beds from back to front of the bus- on each bed the feet went into a box, which was the pillow for the bed in front! Must have been designed for very short people! We met some aussies- had a laugh, but only about 3 hrs sleep and very uncomfortable- the lights went out at 9pm! No more reading! And the driver drove like all Vietnamese- overtaking other buses when lorries were coming straight towards us! We survived though (just about)! Now we're in Hue- in search for a beach we can laze about at for a while- we feel we deserve it!

love to all

xx