So we've arrived in Vietnam, the place i've been looking forward to most of all!

After a long time in the air and at airports we touched down in Hanoi at lunchtime yesterday. Singapore airlines were very inpressive....i took advantage of the free singapore sling cocktails on offer even though we had a morning flight, haha! Managed to swap seats with an India guy so that Lauren and I could sit together, it took a lot of hand flapping and gestures to get through to him....but it was cool to finally sit together!

Hanoi is very different to anywhere in India. It seems so civilised, and you can really see all the influences from other countries. The streets are lined with french bakeries, but in contrast a lady will set up a 'pho' (noodle) stall just infront with people sat aroundon plastic furniture!

We pulled up outside the hotel that we had booked over the net, to be told it was fully booked (?!?) and we were going to stay at 'a better one' down the road....luckily it was all cool, and it was owned by the same people.

We ventured out to find 'The kangaroo cafe' that sounded good in Jon's lonely planet guide!It wasn't too hard to find and we all enjoyed a good meal. Andy and I chose green beans, tomato and rice...which felt as if i was being really healthy! I think i may have pout on weight in India, just as we ate so many carbs allllllllll the time and a lot of the curries were really creamy.

Our first night in Vietnam was spent at a bar called 'Funky Monkey', and it was actually pretty funky. Cocktails cost just over a pound, so quite cushty! I think we arrived too early though as it only started kicking off as we were leaving.

Woke up late this morning, think this was due to the fact our rooms didnt have windows so we still thought it was the middle of the night! Woke the boys just in time for breakfast at 11 and then went for a wonder round the Old Quarter. Andy got his ear peirced in a dodgy accessories shop, and Jon nearly had an earring (with a butterfly back!) put through his lip.....but decided against it......

Had our photo's taken with the fruit ladies carrier things on and their hats, only to be told we HAD to buy the fruit. Jon got ripped off for buying a few bits of pineapple for over a pound....but we learn from our mistakes! Had a lush baguette at a cafe on the lake. Its very hot and humid compared to yesterday which was really cloudy.

Lauren isn't feeling too well at the moment. She keeps getting stabbing pains in her stomach, so if it doesn's go in a few days we'll get a doctor. I woke up this morning with a dodgy tummy and was sick....feeling fine now though.

Heading onto Halong Bay tomorrow, being picked up by tourist bus between 7.30 and 8 am tomorrow morning, so an early start!Should be about a 3 hour bus journey. We are then heading onto Cat Ba Island.

I just tried to upload some photos but the computer is being a complete gay. Jon has had to upload his about 3 times.....think he's finally go some on this sight so check them out.(www.statraveljournals.com/jonstratton)

I'll hopefully be able to put some on soon, when we find somewhere with a faster connection!

Hope your all good xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx