My train is at 18.20 so I don't need to be up super early. Though there are a few things that I need to get sorted, change money, food for the train etc. I ask at reception about getting money changed, Leeshan has some Dong from when she was in Vietnam so she offers to swap it for me, which makes things easy. I also decide that it is probably a good idea to get some USD as that is a widely used currency in south east asia, though you will pay more using dollars. ...

Feeling s*** today. I don't get up until 1 and I don't do much for the whole day. Have a small lunch in the hostel, not really feeling to energetic. I do a wee bit of research on Vietnam and work out a couple of the things that I want to see. I should get my visa back today, well I have to because I must leave tomorrow. Let's hope there are no complications. ----- Play a couple of games of pool with Elaine, and get a pizza in the hostel for dinner. Bit weird, m...

Fei Fei and I had planned to go out to people's park today, but she gets news that her granda is sick and so she has to book a flight home. We go down to the market for breakfast and then just back to the hostel. She does not feel like doing anything else today before her flight, so we just sit in the hostel and chat, before she has to go and get her flight. I feel bad for her as she was only here one day and didn't see anything. I can tell she is very upset abou...

Get my early phone call from Yolanda, time for breakfast. Luckily we are going for the dough sticks and soya milk, so I can just about deal with the early rise. Back down to the market and get the grub. You sit on these wee stools about 8inches off the ground at little tables. It is like a kids table, but this is what everyone is sitting at. After breakfast it's back to the hostel and goodbye to Yolanda. ----- A nice relaxing day in the hostel. It is so hot ou...

Up and to the train, got a taxi for ¥10 which was a complete result as I normally get ripped off! So I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself when I get to the station. Grabbed some food this time, so I am not as unprepared as I have been in the past. Only a wee 9 hour train, so easy peasy! ----- It's not long after we set off that a Chinese guy comes over to speak to me. First time this has happened on a train. Normally people are too scared to speak, but this ...