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Vietnam - I loved the feel of Hanoi as a city. First night we had two double rooms and then the second we were moved into one massive room. Hotel was lovely. Spend most of a day mooching around the city, got lunch out in a cafe overlooking the lake and generally relaxed. The traffic in the city is purely motorbikes and to cross the road is a bit sketchy. If you creep across the bikes dodge you... hopefully! The humidity is immense - nothing dries, not even my hair fully dried over the course of the day.
Cat ba Island - After 2 nights in Hanoi we decided to head to Cat ba for a chill out time. Arrived yesterday by mini bus to Halong Bay, then boat to Cat ba. Boat was meant to take 4 hours but were on it for 6. Infact the whole day yesterday was a bit of a night mare. Firstly, the hotel seemed incapable of working out how much we needed to pay and i spoke to someone on the phone...couldnt understand a word he said!! then my laundry was given to me still wet and smelt worse than it did before! Finally paid and needed change but they took so long that the others all had got on the mini bus which was waiting. On the boat, it got to chilly to sit outside upstairs so everyone moved inside and we played cards. Suddenly someone gasped and everone noticed that the boat was heading directly for a massive rock (mini island). The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and when he realised, despite not going amazingly fast, it was too late to change direction. I think he rammed it into reverse but the momentum was too much to stop it in time... the rest is a blur but i braced myself for the smash. One guy went flying down the boat but we were all ok, a little bruised maybe and incredibly shocked! I was ready to jump ship as the hit was so hard i thought we may sink!! Glass smashed everywhere and furniature was dislodged all over the boat. Noone came to see if we were ok but we were told that the boat lost control...WHATEVER!! Someone saw him sleeping but he disappeared for the rest of the trip and someone else took over. We were told the boat was fine but heard hammering and sawing coming for beneath the bow so very doubtful! So basically no responsibility was taken but eventually after an aussi guy spoke to the tour guy, we got a free drink - think thats the least they could do. Couldn't believe it though, first a tuk tuk, then a boat! We got a mini bus to hotel here in Cat ba and its costing 1.50 GBP pppn... bargain! Went out for dins last night then to a vietnamese club - funny funny times! Ended up in a kareoke bar with other travellers and all had a few drinks and a sing! Got in about 1.30am and slept till 11ish this morning...much needed sleep. This afternoon after a lunch time breakfast we decided to get motorbikes - were going to hire them and drive ourselves but no helmets and only bikes with gears...looks simple but wasn't up for having a go in front of the people hiring them out, just incase i damaged the bike...we we were told many times, were new! We wanted to but weren't sure so got 2 bikes with drivers, three on a bike!! Went round the island and had a short walk in the rainforest. Just off for dinner now.
Finally im all up to date!! must go as others ready for food. Love to all bye for now x x x x
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