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Monday 28th February
Vientiane today in 35 degree heat.Too hot to do anything.
Tuesday 1st & 2nd March
Flew to Hanoi on what looked like one of Manx Airlines old propeller planes. We even got free cake and beer (no rose wine or champagne available though).
Hanoi traffic - mental.I don't think the cars or mopeds were fitted with indicators or brakes as their horns seemed to do the job of both.Hanoi traffic makes Egypt traffic look like a Sunday afternoon drive. You know it is going to be bad when the tour guide gives you the Vietnamese phrases for hello, thank you and oh my god!
Navigating round the shopping streets was quite easy as all the shoe shops were on one street, all the bag shops on another, all the bad taste ornaments on another, ladies clothes on one street, mens clothes on another etc etc
Beer Hoi is available on street corners. The beer is brewed that morning and costs 5000 Dong (approx 15p).You sit on little coloured plastic chairs (available in Moochers or nursery schools) on the street .I think this was invented as a measure to reduce injuries from falling off high bar stools. There is also no problem with over crowding in the pub as you just add more little plastic chairs next to the beer keg which narrows the road and brings you closer to the mad moped drivers for a true local experience.
Thursday 3rd March
A visit to the Water Puppet Theatre left me wishing the puppets has drowned after 10 minutes. The show was not really for me. It is a shame they let me out of the Hanoi Prison earlier in the day as I would have had a good excuse not to go. The remainder of the day was filled with a visit to afew more museums,temple type things and lots more photo opportunities.
Friday 4th March
Took a 3 hour coach journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Well it was more like a 3 hour bounce to Halong Bay. We had changed from the former roller coaster driverto some lunatic who insisted on driving in every pot hole in the road. On numerous occasions I bounced off my chair so high that I was landing on top of the lady sat in front of me.Definitely would recommend additional travel insurance.
Boarded a junk boat which was to be home for 1 night. It most certainly wasn't junk - definitely 5* and better than some of the hotels stayed in so far. Declined the opportunity of kayaking as my experiences in Peel bay still haunt me. Opted for a boatman to row us through to the lagoon.
Saturday 5th March
Left the 5* boat behind and back on the bouncing bus which later took us to the train station for the sleeper train to Hue (13 hours).The train was not as luxurious as the Chaing Mai overnighter but managed to pass the time swatting mozis.
Sunday 6th March
Arrive in Hue and toured the countryside looking like Hells Angels on holiday. We were 15 badly dressed tourists riding pillion in convoy through the back streets and country roads. Sights included sitting in a ladies house watching here make hats, how to make incense sticks, visit to a rice museum A day free from history lessons, temples and palaces.
Monday 7th March
More pagoda and palace spotting.Back on our bus with the ever growing luggage to explore caves near China Beach. This probably would have been a lot easier if I had remembered to take my sunglasses off and hired a torch from the 103 year old lady at the mouth of the first cave. Arrive in Hoi An early evening to a clean, comfy hotel with a swimming pool.
Tuesday 8th March
A 3 hour cycle ride was a great way to see the outskirts of Hoi An. I continued my search for inspiration as to my future career path. I tried my hand as a gardener by watering the herbs and other green stuff on a local allotment. Also tried farming with a buffalo with extra large horns. Needless to say my search for career ideas continues.
Special weather here as I managed to get a bit of a tan whilst we cycled in the light rain - shame that's not possible in the Isle of Man. Legs looking good from more cycling and didn't suffer from bicycle bum this time so I must be improving.
Wednesday 9th March
Early start and off to Vietnamese cooking school. The activity started with a tour around the local market where I was nearly showing the shopkeepers my breakfast as the sights and smells were not compatible with a delicate Manx person's stomach. Made some traditional dishes which were edible
A few of us went on a marathon walk in search of a restaurant which sold snake. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful due to confusion over our request for snake which kept getting translated as snack.
I ordered a pair of sandals at 1.30pm and they were ready at 7pm the same day. Real leather £6. There was no fancy foot measuring device so the lady just drew around my foot and took a few measurements with an old tape.I didn't bother getting any clothes made as the thought of carrying any extra unnecessary weight destroyed the thrill of having clothes personally made for me.
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