Day 4, 22 January

Arrived at Hanoi City after a scarey drive from the airport there are 80% of bikes/mopeds to cars and all weave in and out of coaches carrying random things like tables and huge orange plants on the back of them some even carrying 3 or 4 people.

We got a bit worried when the taxi driver stopped at where he told us our hotel was but after we refused to get out of the taxi he rang the reception lady to come and get us as it was down a lane lol. After checking into our hotel it was nice enough for a 2 star that we only paid $9 dollars each for not sure it deserved the name Luxury hotel though....lol.

After trying to get directions from the hotel to the Cathedral we were told by the receptionist there was none in Hanoi (think they thought we wanted a casino) but she gave us a map and sent us on our way to the Lake after going in the wrong direction and standing on the street corner staring at our map a nice vietnemese man pointed us in right direction.On our way we found the Cathedral our selves and walked around the lake which at night lights up a really pretty place.

Did try to pop some photo's on here as thehotel had free internet but the receptionist made us use her computer and stood right behind us not sure what she thought we were gonna look at haha.

Day 5, 25th January

Picked up for our boat trip this morning to Ha Long Bay after a 3 hour bus trip to Ha Long City we then had to wait for the transfer boat to take us to our superior ship we decided to splash and extra $5 to upgrade from economy. even though the boat did not have heating was worth it as we met some really nice people an Ozzie couple Nathan and Cassey from Melbourne who are going to show us around when we get the there, Saskia from Rotterdam and Alex from San Diego (orignally born in Vietnam).

Lunch and tea was exactly the same meal rice, tofu, sweet potatoe chips, chicken and fish poor Mel nearly choked on a fish bone. We cruised along the the Halong bay which has over 1000 Karsts (Big rocks to you and me) it was really picturesque with the mist probably a completly different sight in the summer.

Having a couple of stops firstly at the Sung Sot Caves which were spectactularlly developed naturally in the lime stone walls much better than Ceddar lol. Second stop was for swimming and kyaking something me and Mel didn't take part in as it was soooo damn cold!! We then sailed on to where the boat moored up for the night the coldest nights sleep of my life i think.... slept with 3 tops on and 3 pairs of pj bottoms.

Day 6, 26th January

Woke up freezing cold but we were floating in one of the most amazing spots in the world. After brekkie we sailed back to Ha Long City stopping on way back to Hanoi for lunch was a bit put off the food as there was a bug crawlling on the table but managed to eat some rice gave the tofu a miss....they love tofu here!!

Got back to Hanoi 4:30ish just time to grab abite before getting on the night bus to Hue. Such and experience firstly we were picked up in a mini bus (a group of 8 of us) however the mini bus was pretty full with people already 2 guys gave up there seats for me and Nel but we were cramed right by all the luggage on a tiny chair better than standing like the guys did. We thought we were off to the bus station but nope we stopped to pick up more people again who had to stand the driver could barley shut the doors from the extra luggage.

Then for 13 hour bus trip to Hue quite a good nights sleep even though you could feel every bump and i had people luggage on half of my bed oh and not forgetting the guy snoring next to me lol.

Day 7, 27th January

Managed to find a hotel which we bartered down the $3.50 each a night such a bargain!! Then grabbed some breakfast and went for a wonder around the perfume river and tried to find the Citedela got a bit lost and as it was peeing down with rain we decided a cocktail or 2 was in order!!