Vietnam!

The Old Quarter of Ha Noi where we have been staying is even more hectic with motorbikes everwhere who are constantly using their horns. We booked a tour to Ha Long bay- one of the natural wonders of the world and it didn't dissapoint. The cruise ship was drastically different from the one adveritised, but perfectly decent condition with great seafood meals. The first day we met Jack, George and Matt, all from England and all on gap yahs like ourselves, that had been doing he the exact same countries a different way round so it was useful to gain experience from them and vice versa. The price of the drinks was extortionate- $2 for a small can when you can get the equivalent  amount on the street out of a keg for 15p. We managed to find some water vendors who row around to the different tourist boats selling food and drink who sold tigers for half the price and so got a good few in, much to the captians anger. The next morning was a struggle to wake for sunrise, which wasn't that spectacular because of the clouds (sunset was better) but was stil pleasant. We bid farewell to our English friends who had booked an extra day and were off to another island and relaxed, taking in the scenery on the top deck. Our transfer back to Ha Noi was cramped and the 4 hrs seemed alot longer. Finally we were back and wasted no time in sampling some tastey street food and cheap draught beer. We slept well that night and the next day visited the mausoleum of Ho Chi Min which turned out to be closed as I forgot to check the opening hours. We returned to the old quarter for some more food and beers before boarding our sleeper bus to Hué. We managed to find perhaps the worst seats once more- a 5 man upper cave at the back of the bus with no room to manouver. The 15 hrs passed very slowly, and little to no sleep was had by the time we arrived in Hué. We had breakfast and got a taxi to drop our bags at the travel agent before heading into the old citedal. Vast and at times overun, it was difficult to picture a complete complex of buildings but nevertheless it was interesting. To get back to the travel agents we hired cyclos- bikes with carriages attatched to the from of them. On the bus to Hoi An we made sure we got single seats, and they felt like luxury in comparison, although still a little cramped. We drove through a big rainstorm which managed to get my bag wet even though it was in the hold. When we arrived we found a decent hotel With a pool for $5 a night, not bad considering Hoi An prices and immediately made use of it going for a dip to cool off. Next it was time for a few beers, this time for 3000d or 10p a glass, it was rude not to have several! We continued our ongoing pool championship for drinks at the Aussi Aussi bar, who were offering free buckets with any drink purchased before returning home in the early hours to get some rest for the next days activities. We rented some bikes for $1 each and cycled the 5km to the beach in the sweltering heat. When we got there we bought a football and quickly found ourselves playing with 6 or 7 locals. Next we went for a swim, the water was nice and warm and we played piggy in the middle with the locals. The sand literally burnt feet if you stood still for too long so we headed to a 'street' restaurant on the beach by some palm trees and had some coconut water (fresh out of the coconut) and some cao Lao- a pork and noodle dish. We chilled playing cards and more footie before biking back through the beginnings of a storm to return the bikes. When we boareded our sleeper bus we were told it was too full to take us so we would have to change. The new bus was a another sleeper and was entirely Vietnamise who spoke little English. We were made to pay $5 for the switch which probably went straight into the pocket of the baby roach who was organising proceedings. After and average night sleep we were told to get out at 5.00 to pick up our original 'full bus' which dropped us in Nha Trang centre. The sunrise over the beach was awesome, I know I'm looking forward to a couple of days of beach, watersports and nightlife.  Harry, Dan and Josh