As I type this up (16th January 2011) we are currently sitting in our spaceship in the rain and gale force winds in the Mt Cook area in New Zealand.We had planned on hiking up to Mueller's hut today but as the weather is pants we have time to write up the blog.Please enjoy, we know it's very late but better late than never hey?

This post takes us from Vietnam through to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.The next instalment should come soon as we have a bit more time to catch up in the van.

Day 25 - 25th November (Sapa - Day 3)

Our hosts cooked us an awesome breakfast of banana pancakes this morning.It had started raining in the night and had not stopped so we very kindly requested to May to take us to the waterfall we were visiting via the road path (knowing how muddy it got the previous day, the group was not up for even more slipping and sliding in worse conditions).

As we took the path by the road we reached the waterfall, which was also where we were having lunch, very early.Although sitting in the cold and rain for 3 hours is not fun it did have its advantages:we saw everyone who came down the really steep path (the one which we passed on) absolutely caked in mud, and we managed to avoid the ladies trying to sell us stuff because they helped us down. We did see a bit of an argument between a tourist and a local lady but it didn't last long.The rest of the time we just chilled, played some s***-head and enjoyed the egg noodle soup which May cooked for us.

From the waterfall a bus came and picked us up.We pretty much went straight to the coffee shop via Adva and Shir's room who had kindly lent it to us to get changed.

By the time we had some hot drinks and nice desserts the bus had arrived to take us back to the train station.It felt like a longer journey on the way back as we didn't fall asleep this time.

We got to the train station really early so we had a beer in the bar across the road.During this we got approached by several local guys who had cottoned-on to the fact that people come back from the Sapa treks covered in mud and were selling their services as shoe cleaners.We got asked so many times, sometimes by the same one, and they even asked Rhea if she wanted her sandals cleaned (even though they weren't that muddy!).

The train journey back to Hanoi was much more pleasant this time as we were sharing with Ian and Jane.We had another beer on the way, but apart from that, and a fair bit of chatting, we all tried to get some kip.

Day 26 - 26th November (Hanoi)

The train got in really early and we were very tired.We didn't have a pick up so had to make our own way back to the hostel.The guy on night duty at the Little Hanoi looked so tired when we let us in.Unfortunately, there weren't any rooms ready for us so we just sat on the internet and waited for breakfast time.After brekkie we went out for a walk around the lake.There were plenty of local people doing their morning exercises which varied from running, stretching, tai chi and even badminton.We stopped and watched the badminton for a bit and chatted to an old guy who was with the people who were playing. He said he didn't play anymore as he was too old, we later learned he was 85, but to be honest he looked younger than that.On the way back to the hostel we bought Jen some new headphones as her existing ones had packed up.

By the time we got back our room was ready, and although we felt really tired, we didn't have a nap, we showered and changed and went straight out.We headed in the direction of the cinema to buy tickets for the new Harry Potter film.We eventually found it and even though the plan was to watch it later on, it took us so long to get there we thought it would be easier to just watch the next available showing.This was conveniently just after lunch time.We both really loved Harry Potter and left the cinema wanting to watch the next one.

We then walked back to the Old Quarter via the French District, it was really cool checking out another part of the city, just getting 'lost' in the streets.

We had time for dinner before we met Jane and Ian for drinks later so we went to the Thai Express, really tasty 'fast food' Thai style. For drinks we went to the bar around the corner called I-Box, it was pretty cool in there and they even had a live band playing.By the time we had had a couple of drinks we were all really tired so headed back to the hostel and went to bed.We also said our goodbyes to Jane and Ian as they were getting up early to go to Halong Bay.

Day 27 - 27th November (Hanoi)

Today we had a really busy day of exploring, we went to the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (unfortunately we didn't get there at the right time to see his body), the Presidential House, Ba Dinh Square (there were lots of guards around in full uniform), the 'smelly' west lake and the market in the Old Quarter (where we bought some cool silk bits and bamboo bowls).After seeing/doing all of this many of the other sights left were closing, however we did get the chance to visit the Cathedral, which was really close to our hostel.We found a Vietnamese fast food restaurant called Pho 24 for dinner around the same area.On the whole the meal was good, although some of the ingredients were not as good as we expected.

When we got back to the hostel we picked up our washing.Unfortunately Jen's shirt had been dyed pink by one of the dresses she had bought in India.This was not good as it was one of the better shirts needed for the duration of the trip.We complained and they said they'll see what they can do/wash it again.

The rest of the evening we spent packing our bags for the next day.

Day 28 - 28th November (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City)

Today we flew to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Before we left Hanoi we had another walk around the lake and went to see the pagoda which was on the north side.It was fairly small but the entrance fee wasn't too much and it was worth seeing. We also got Jen's shirt back all nice and new looking, but stinking of bleach.

Our flight was with Jetstar and as with most flights, it was pretty uneventful and boring.

The hostel we stayed at in HCMC was called Ngoc Thao Guesthouse.It was a smallish family run guesthouse, where everyone had to take their shoes off before entering but it was very clean and they looked after us well.

In the evening we didn't venture far as we were quite tired from the travelling.We went around the corner to Kym's Cafe followed by a stroll around the block to get a feel for the place.We were staying in quite a touristy area, there were lots of bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes and tour offices.Again, like Hanoi, there are millions of mopeds.

Day 29 - 29th November (HCMC)

Today we walked around HCMC. We started off in the market where we're sure we paid too much for some shorts for Jen but she needed them so couldn't really walk away.We didn't specifically go to see anything else, but we did see the Opera House, some really posh shops and sky scrapers.This city is a lot more 'western' than the capital Hanoi, and the clothes in the shops were expensive for England prices, not many Vietnamese could afford to shop here.

The weather here is hot and humid and the traffic is really heavy, this made getting around very tiring work so we broke up the day by stopping at a very posh ice cream shop.

In the evening we just went for another stroll around where we were staying, by this time we were missing Indian food so stopped at one of the few Indian restaurants nearby to get our fix.It was really good, almost like being back in the country itself.

Day 30 - 30th November (HCMC)

Today we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels.It was fascinating to see how the Viet Cong lived and fought for around 20 years.We took a tour bus to the tunnels with our guide whose nickname was 'Mr Bean'.He was an older looking guy who was an American war vet.He was half Filipino, half Vietnamese who fought with the US against the Vietnamese communist movement.He claimed he had never killed anyone (as he came from both sides), but still had some amazing stories to share about the history of Vietnam.

We had to change guides when we got there as we had chosen to take a speedboat back to the city.The new guide, who was much younger, thought it would be a good idea to take us through one of the original sized tunnels, instead of one of the 'tourist' tunnels that had been made slightly wider and taller.Our tunnel was so tight, cramped, dark and sweaty, definitely not one for the claustrophobic.

By the time we got back to the city (the tour was late), it was getting late and we unfortunately missed the last entrance to the Reunification Palace (by a matter of minutes).We did have time to check out the Post Office, where our visit served a dual purpose.Not only did we get to check out the architecture (which was actually pretty cool), we were also able to send home another parcel with more of the stuff we had been buying over the previous days.

For dinner we went to a restaurant which was a bit more 'local'.We sat outside on red plastic chairs, had some really tasty food which worked out to be really cheap.We should eat in these kind of places more often...

Day 31 - 1st December (Mekong Delta)

Today we started our trip up the Mekong Delta to get to Cambodia.We used a company call Delta Adventures (not the best) and our guide's nickname was Tiger.

We stopped at a few islands on the delta where we were able to try some local delicacies (we turned some down as well).At our first stop we tried some honey tea and some dried fruit candy.We turned down the rice wine which was brewed with scorpions, snakes and a full bird.

Our second stop was at a coconut candy factory.It tasted great, just like coconut flavoured toffee.This place also had a massive anaconda snake which Krish held, which was bloody heavy. After this we took these little rowing boats, powered by a couple of locals, through the tall reeds.The channel was very narrow and it felt like it was going really quick as we were so close to the water.Our last stop was the restaurant for lunch.We came prepared with lunch so we didn't need to buy much.The best bit about the restaurant was that it had hammocks at the back to chill out on.

Our overnight stop tonight was in Can Tho, which is the biggest town/city on the deltaWe went for dinner with some new friends we had met that day from Sydney called Brad and Jen.Again the food was great.

Day 32 - 2nd December (Mekong Delta)

Today we had to wake up early as we were going to the floating markets.These were not as impressive as we expected, it was a collection of medium sized boats selling wholesale fruit and veg.We also went to a rice noodle factory and a rice refinery.It was interesting to see, but half of us was just wishing we could get to Cambodia already.

We had a really long bus ride to our hotel for this evening, there were road works and a couple of accidents which delayed us.By the time we got to the hotel we were really tired and a bit fed up.To top it off the tour company put us up in a really crappy hotel.As we hadn't paid too much for the tour we couldn't really complain.

There was also not many places to eat, and we ended up eating in this outside restaurant that was full of bugs (not in the food hopefully!!!, but flying around).

Day 33 - 3rd December (Mekong Delta to Phnom Penh)

Today we arrived in Cambodia, but not before we were woken up at silly o'clock (aka 6am).This was because the tour company squeezed in a visit to a smelly fish farm and a Cham village (a Muslim Vietnamese village) before our boat trip.

For most of the day we sat on a speed boat flying up the delta, only stopping to cross borders.This was great to start off with but speed boats are not ideal places to sleep.

We arrived an hour later than we expected which was an hour later than the time we told the hostel to pick us up.Luckily, our driver Charlie had hung around waiting for us to arrive.He was wearing cool aviators and a fighter pilot style helmet (also a Dennis the Menace style jumper).We were happy that our pick-up waited for us but were worried they had sent some guy on a motorbike to get us.It turned out there was no reason to worry, just a different style of tuk-tuk in Cambodia, it was a motorbike with a carriage attached to the back.Charlie was really nice and not pushy, and offered his services for the next day if we needed to be driven anywhere.His attitude made the decision to use him a very easy one.

We chilled out in the hostel (Sweet Home Guesthouse) for a while and had some traditional Cambodian food.Jen had a soup that had the hottest chilli she has ever had in it, it was so hot she spat it out and her eyes began to water.Krish knew it must have been hot by the look on her face (an almost worried look).After that Jen stayed clear of the other chillies in her bowl.

We then started on the list of things to do suggested by Chrissy.First up was the cookie shop below where she used to live, Camory's.This was conveniently located next to the night market where we may have made a few purchases (it was really cheap, although there were a few 'dodgy' people hang around and Krish is sure he saw someone eyeing up Jen's handbag).

For dinner we just had a snack at the Indonesian restaurant Chrissy recommended.We had both of the things she suggested, Lime milkshakes and spring rolls, amazing just like she said!

On the walk back to the hostel we came across Independence monument.There were hundreds of kids practising dance moves in front of big sound systems with a laptop at the front playing videos from YouTube or something. it was really cool to watch.There was also the best water fountain we had ever seen.It danced to music with different colours and crazy spinning movements.

Day 34 - 4th December (Phnom Penh)

Today we had a bit of a lie in after all of that travelling up the delta yesterday.It was well welcomed, we felt nice and refreshed and ready to go explore in our new city.

Our first visit was to Tuol Sleng aka S21 museum.Charlie drove us there so we knew we were not getting ripped off.This museum is not one to enjoy, it was a huge eye-opener as we learnt about some of Cambodia's history, of which some of the recent (late 70's) was absolutely horrific.

The other stops we made were much more enjoyable, we went to the Russian Market, The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.

Fur lunch we had curried pumpkin soup and raspberry and lime daiquiris (recommended by Chrissy and were amazing) at Friends International Restaurant.This is a really popular local restaurant where they teach former street kids skills used in the catering industry.

And for dinner we went to Veiyo Tonle, another local restaurant (again recommended by Chrissy and the food was so good), of which the profits made are used to fund a local orphanage.There were a fair few number of street kids coming in to sell books and postcards, we bought some but unfortunately we couldn't buy from all of them.We chatted to one of the girls from whom we'd bought postcards from, she was so lovely and sweet (her English was very good), just like all of the kids here.It's a shame that they are in this position :)