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We're in Vietnam!!! Travelled over 1,500 miles over land since the last blog. It was the first place on my list when planning this trip and it's really living up to expectations. The food, the tropical climate (35 degrees is a big shift from the Himalayan climate and a very welcome one), the scenery and of course the history. Always been fascinated in the Vietnam war since seeing films like Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket and have become a bit of a war history geek since arriving. We were lucky enough to be in Hanoi for the reunification day anniversary celebrations on April 30th. Only 35 years on from when the North liberated the South in 1975. The first time a unified Vietnam governed itself since before the French colonised them in 1880's. Strange to think the old guys selling Pho would have experienced the war first hand. The fireworks went on for an eternity. Never seen so much money spent so fast ( except for Coxy's firework displays in his back garden : ) ). Also, treated ourselves to some very good food in the capital. The french legacy lives on in it's fine dining. The Green Tangerine and Cafe Des Artes were exceptional, also saw some water puppetry (very good for the first 5 minutes) and some live jazz.
Went from Hanoi to Halong (Descending Dragon) Bay where 2 million years of erosion has left nearly 2,000 limestones karsts sticking hundreds of feet out of the water - see the piccies. Bit of a conveyer belt of 'junk' boats heading out into the bay but still very beautiful. The guide brought along his girlfriend and spent more time pandering to her every need than taking care of the tour group. He made her a nice lunch for 2 hours instead of taking us to the beach but I'm not bitter : ) Also tried squid fishing. A girl we met caught a 15 cm specimen. Spent a while deciding whether to keep it due to it's small size so by the time we decided to throw it back it was dead. Also landed a small stick, the lid off a cup that looked like a breast and very nearly caught a flying fish and a massive jellyfish, but alas the latter two got away.
Then onto Hue and the fishing village of Hoi An. Hoi An we especially liked. Great little hotel (Long Life) with a pool on the riverfront with an excellent breakfast including pumpkin and coconut soup, noodles, pancakes and DECENT COFFEE (the one thing that has proved difficult to get throughout Asia). Got some suits fitted from one the 100's of tailors that we should hopefully see again in 4 months (sent it by sea). Also put our toes in the sea for the first time on the trip and lazed on the beach.
..and that is pretty much what we've been doing for the last week - chilling on the beach. My absolute favourite past time and we are getting quite good at it. First in the beach resort of Nha Trang (where we went wakeboarding - did my back and also got sunburnt) and now in Mui Ne another 5 hours down the coast. Feels especially sweet given that the UK is in a cold snap, has been dumped on by Icelandic volcanic ash, can't form a government and Chelsea have beaten Man Utd to the premier league! From here we head to Saigon for one night then onto Phu Quoc for some island living before Cambodia on 25th July. Lifes a beach and we're loving it...
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