Hi All! At the moment we are in Chiang Mai. Well after our first day in Hanoi we decided to go to Halong Bay for 3 days. We left Hanoi early on the Tuesday morning and got to Halong City around lunch time. There were the 5 of us and a couple from our hotel which were on the same trip as us and between us we had our own guide for the 3 days! We were shown to our junk. I thought there would be a lot of junks at the harbour but there were hundreds! We were shown to our cabins and they were really nice. Us three girls shared and the boys shared too. As soon as we got on the junk we had lunch. The food was brilliant, they bought out lots of dishes so there was even enough choice for me! For the next few hours we sailed to the 'Amazing Caves'. The scenery on the way to the cave was just amazing. It felt like we were in pirates of the caribbean. We got to the caves and spent an hour inside, our guide took us around and told us all about the caves. We all then got back on the junk and headed to the spot where we were going kayaking. We were in the second group so we just sunned ourselves on the deck of the boat. We though that we would be a dab hand at the kayaking but it was so hard! The oars they gave us were so heavy! Me and Naomi went together and couldn't get over the fact they had given us huge metal oars, we could hardly lift them! Anita paddled away quickly with the guide and then the boys followed and me and Naomi behind them. The pain of the oars quickly disappeared as the scenery around us was breathtaking. I can't describe how beautiful it was. We kayaked around a little cove and we saw a huge jellyfish. We then came back to the boat where we were able to swim for a while, which was nice and us 3 jumped off the boat. We then dryed off and watched the sun set.Our tea was ready at 7 and after tea we went back on the top deck. There were lots of junks anchored up for the nights with their lights on, we all sat up for ages just taking in the atmosphere around us, it was just magical.

The next day we were woken up for breakfast and then we arrived at Cat Ba island around 9am. We then were taken to Cat Ba National Park and we climbed a huge hill to have a look at the whole island. It took us a while and we were all very sweaty to say the least. The walk to the top was more of a climb as there wasn't really a path and we had to climb up a lot of rocks! We all made it down and were then taken to our hotel, which was lovely. Us three girls had a huge room, all with double beds! That afternoon we had lunch at the hotel and then walked down to the beach. Us 5 were certainly the main attraction as we all had our swim wear on, everyone else on the beach were going into the sea fully clothed - socks included! We couldn't get over the fact why people were going into the sea in their jeans! We came back to the hotel for the evening and had tea, which was again lovely.

In the morning we were picked up from the hotel and taken back to the junk, the junk we were on was called 'The Black Pearl of Halong Bay'. We were on there for a few hours before returning into the harbour and then getting on the bsu back to Hanoi. All of us really enjoyed it, maybe not Rob as much as the last day he didn't want to venture far from the toilet. I have to say that Halong Bay for me was the highlight of Vietnam.

We then had our last day in Vietnam on the Friday. We left Rob at the hotel and just had a wander around. That evening we had a task of packing up all our belongings, somehow I managed to fit all of my things into 2 bags!

We then left very early to go to the airport to catch our flight to Bangkok. Well, what can I say about Air Asia!!! None of us were best pleased with the airline. We were told in the travel agent that you were only allowed to have 15kgs of baggage for free - the rest you had to pay for. The travel agent said that every 5 kilos would be 17 dollars, we didnt think it would be too bad and accepted that we would have to pay extra baggage, as our large backpacks weighed over that anyway. Well, I had the shock of my life when I checked in my bags! The cost of the baggage was not what we had been told and was actually 6 dollars for 1 kilo! All I can say was that my baggage cost more than my ticket so my card took a serious hit and the cost bought tears to my eyes! I would have been prepared if I had know the actual cost but it was way more than I had thought!! Anyway, I paid the baggage and we all boarded the flight. The flight to Bangkok was only 1 hour 15 minutes and passed very quickly.

When we got to Bangkok we got a taxi to our hotel and it was the nicest car we had been in a long time. It took us around 40 minutes to get to our hostel. The first thing we did was venture our for food. Naomi left after food as she didn't want to be too far from the toilet and the boys were tired so they went back with her. Me and Anita decided to have a wander, not really too sure where we were going as we didn't have a map. We stumbled along a nice bar and had a nice relaxing drink. After our drink we wandered down some more streets and saw many sights - including people practising Thai boxing, many middle aged men with young attractive Thai girls and some ladyboys!! We found one of the main back packer streets called Ko San Road, it was just mad! We loved it! It was packed with people and had such a fun atmosphere. We then had some tea and found our way back to the hostel.

On Sunday, we left Naomi at the hostel and we all got a taxi to the new part of Bangkok. We went in some shopping centers, they were just huge and had every shop you could imagine! We wandered around and met Naomi at the Hard Rock cafe for tea, it was delicious. We then went to the cinema, it was certainly an experience. Me and Anita went to see Angels and Demons and the others went to Star Trek. The cinema was huge and me and Anita had seats like beds. There were lots of trailers and then everyone stood up, we weren't sure why but stood up too. The national anthem was played before the cinema, then everyone sat back down and the film started. We really enjoyed it, even though we jumped a few times.

On Monday, we went to the floating market which was really fun even though I didn't buy anything. We then went to Kanchanaburi to see the Bridge over the River Kwai and the JEATH museum, again the museum was upsetting. Our last stop for the day was the tiger temple, I was nervous about going there all day. The tiger temple is where monks live with the tigers, they aren't in cages. When you visit them they are chained to the floor with lots of volunteers around. We got to the tiger canyon and there were lots of people having their photos taken with the tigers. I wasn't too sure if I did want my photo taken, I decided that I would go with Anita or Naomi but when it was our turn we weren't allowed. I had to go on my own and before I knew it was whisked off to have my photo taken. The first tiger was mazzive, the biggest there, you can tell from my face that I am very scared! I had my photo taken with about 5 more, a few of them I am stroking but still looked petrified. All of the tigers were just laying down and not really moving. It was odd to see that they all were just laying there. Since being on the trip we have heard a lot of people say that the tigers are drugged and some have said that they aren't. I am not sure if they are, I did think they were as I had my picture taken with three tigers and I sat behind, as I got up I accidently put my hand on the tigers tail to get up, all my weight was on his tail and he didn't even flinch - also the volunteers were swatting flies from around the tigers, I thought that they would have done that themselves. Seeing the baby cubs was such a contrast, they were very active and playful, more so than the big ones but then again they were cubs, so would be more active than the larger ones. There was a sign on the wall that said they did not drug them, the tigers are just not very active in the day time - but I am not so sure. Anyway, we all left unscathed - which I was very glad about.

Yesterday, we had a lazy day as we were all tired. We have changed our plan again and decided to go to the beaches here instead of going to Laos. We thought that we have been on the moved constantly for 4 months it would be nice too relax for the last week and to contemplate the trip. We are now in Chaing Mai and we got here early this morning by sleeper bus, it took 12 hours and was very uncomfy but what more can you expect for 6 pound! Anyway, we are ok although slightly tired. On Friday we are going on an elephant ride and to visit a tribe (they have rings round their necks). Will reveal all in my next post. I don't think there will be many more posts as 2 weeks today I will be home. It is so scary to think that the past four months have flown past so quickly.

Anyway, thats all for now. Anna x