HANOI

Me and travel pal Bumsy Sohi have just arrived in our final Asian destinateion- Hanoi. The main reason we're here is for Halong Bay, which is one of the places I've been mopst excited to visit!!

Our bus journey here was veeeeery interesting. We were on a 'party bus'. We got on and there was wierd house music blasting from Bose Speakers, strobe lights, and other flashing lights. It was even wierder because noone was sure why, so people were reading novels, witht this bus driver attempting a rave at the same time!! Definately one of the most surreal moments yet.

Since we've been in (viet)Nam we have had only wierd journeys on sleeper buses. The sleeper buses themselves are cool, you get an actual bed on the bus, and it's really clean. Unfortunately on our first journey, Sumzy and I were on a high bunk, but next to the toilet at the back of the bus. It was about 1am, and a really old Vietnamese man must have been seriously confused, because instead of opening the door to the toilet and wee'ing where he should have, he decided to wee on the floor right near us. Thank GOD there was a piece of wood seperating us all. We were very confused as to what was going on at first, and could only see this old mans receeding hairline bobbing next to us, near the toilet. Then we heard what we did not want to hear, and he was definately wee'ing on the wrong side of the toilet door.

The second bus wasn't quiiite as horrific. Instead of urinating, a man was sick down the toilet door, because someone was in the toilet. Then on top of that, the lady on the bed under Sumzy was being sick all night, and was happy to wretch and moan within close vicinity to everyone, rather than in the enclosed toilet- lovely jubly :|.

The wierdest thing about it is that it's ALWAYS the locals doing the wierd stuff! Us backpackers just lie down, quietly and very scared. Maybe that was all too much information to share on the blog... it was a good story though... I think.

Anyway, back to travels. We arrived in Hanoi a couple of hrs ago, it's now 9am, but we have to wait until 12 to check in, so are killing some time. The place we're staying in is called Hanoi Backpackers. More or less everyone who has recommended accommodation for Hanoi has recommended here. We've only been in the lobby area, and it's all nice and new, and looks a lot like a uni bar. Good stuff!

Tomorrow we do the Halong Bay tour which I am so excited for. It should be the perfect way to end our romantic travells together before sumzy leaves for China/ home, and I leave for Oz.

Before Hanoi we were in Hoi An- a really pretty, French influenced, Riverside town. Their's loads of markets, shops, and toilors who make made to measure clothes and shoes. It would have been awesome to get something made, but not a good way to spend my money! Both Sumz and I did buy some pressies for family there though.

Before Hanoi was Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh City (Capital). It reminded us a lot of Bangkok. Realllly busy, a bit dirty, generally crazy. However, we saw some really cool areas/sites, like this Notre Dame place- basically Vietnam's version of Notre Dame, was really pretty. Loads of Shopping Mall's, and designer shops all around, and lush Hotels around. Saw the war Museum too.

The best thing we did at Saigon was a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. An area near Saigon called Cu Chi that was infamous for it's fight against the Anerican soilders during the war. The made a huge complex of Tunnels underground that streched for kilometres, so the Anericans couldn't find them. And when they could find them they had no way to navigate the tunnels, and would fall into these horrible traps set by the Cu Chi people and die a long and painful death. We got to go inside one of the tunnels. The tour guide said that the tunnel we went into had been widened so it could fit 'The Westerners' fat Bum'.haha. He also said we were all so much fatter because we sit on toilets, instead of use holes in the ground which keep the Abs' tight. Interesting theory. Me and sumzy decided we'll stick with flabbier Abs', and a proper Western style Toilet!!

I'm not sure if I wrote about Cambodia and Lao previously, but both of theme were awesome! The Cambodian people were the nicest we've met yet. Lao was actually stunning- ever place we visited more or less had something amazing to see. Vietnam so far had been amazing too. The people love that we're Indian, and keep commenting on our 'beautiful' Indian looks HA, it's really wierd. The ladies on the beaches who sell drinks, or sunglasses, or snacks kept touching us and smacking us playfully, then one of them started massaging me, and a few people have asked for photo's.

Overall Asia has been phenominal and neither of us want it to end :'(... we will make the most of the last few days here!!! Then onto Oz where I will meet my mate Mike, and am reuniting with George and Kirsty from the Thai Islands!! We're going to be staying at the same place in Sydney which will bo SO MUCH FUN! Can't wait to see them. Really not looking forward to the expesive prices though. Oh well!!!!

Missing all of the family and friends lots,wish you could join us out here! Peach and Love from Vietnam!!!!

Kiz and Sumz xxx