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At last (and with luck!) we will AGAIN attempt to update. Thing is, internet in Vietman is in it's infancy and what works one minute.................frustratingly won't the next! And photos.........forget it.....for now at least!
A 12 hour train journey was most certainly an intimate affair. A small compartment with six bunks.......the old 'uns being given the bottom and the young ones at the top. A proven level of competance in rock climbing would certainly help you to scale the great heights of the top bunk! We woke to a very different scene to the one we'd left in Hanoi -green fields, rolling hills and an altogether much slower pace of life.
Since our return from the trek the weather has not been brilliant and had taken an unseasonal turn for the worse. This deflated the enthusiasm of the group and is one of the down sides of travelling in a large party. Since the majority are 'single' they seek each others company (for bonding!), something we can happily live without. Therefore we often 'go off' and do our 'own thing' but it's incredible the number of younger ones that want to follow.
In Hue, the ancient Imperial Capitol, we visited the citadel followed by a boat ride up the Perfume River to visit the tombs of the Kings -all good touristy things and altogether a very relaxing 2 days -but no working internet!
A 4 hour bus journey through abysmal weather conditions bought us to a drenched Hoi An -a town of tailors. Whatever you want, including shoes and handbags, is available for you. You can make your choice from anything from a Next catalogue to the latest Vogue magazine, in any fabric and colour you wish. Every measurement is taken including a computer generated photograph, and everything is ready for collection the following day. David had combat style trousers and shirt and I had a lightweight cotton skirt with linen cropped trousers. The whole lot for just 45 pounds and on collection I was treated to a free eyebrow shape -not bad, eh!
Unfortunately our time spent in Hoi An was quite inactive and, after a 10 hour bus journey (again, through heavy rain), it was with some trepidation that we reached the island 'paradise' of Whale Island. With nothing but 30 or so beach huts, a bar/restaurant and pool table, what the ..... will we do if it rains? Well..........it didn't and we had the most amazing time. On the first day 3 of us chose to walk around the island taking in magnificent viewpoints, countless lizards and a snake, beautiful butterflys and lush green forest with the occasional dip in the sea! We then spent the afternoon snorkelling off nearby rocks. The following morning 5 of us took a boat to an offshore reef where we snorkelled viewing amazing corals and varied sea life. David also spotted several sea horses. We did not want to leave but at 3pm we had to return to the mainland. Can there be anything to improve on this?
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