Day 2:

Today I packed up my things and set off to find the Victory hotel. I checked online and it said it was near to the train stations, so after aquiring a map from reception i headed off. I definately did not realise how heavy the backpack was with all of it strapped to my back. Wow!!

You soon realise that you are asked every other step whether or not you want to buy something or if you want a lift anywhere on moped. I just make no eye contact and a steady pace and they soon stop asking (well not really). Its suprising how many hundreds of mopeds there are on the streets and the complete lack of order to anyones driving. The one thing that i would say stood out the most was the honking, every other second you hear a car, bike, coach, bus, bicycle's horn!!

After finding the Hotel and speaking to the receptionist I drop my bags off and head off for a little site seeing before I meet the group at 6pm. I decide on the Temple of Literature (Pho Van Mieu) not too far from the hotel, so i head off in that direction. I pay 5,000 VND go get in and i wander off on my own.

Notes: Pho Van Mieu - In 1070 King Ly Thanh Tong founded this temple to pay tribute to education and to those of high academic achievement. Six years later, it became home to Hanoi's first university. Even now, more than 200 years after the last national examination, the site's five courtyards still enjoy an atmosphere of higher learning. Stone stelae record the names of successful doctorates of the past at this quiet retreat into Vietnamese educational history.

I meet the group and they all seem very lovely. We introduce ourselves (Vikki and Ralph from Oz, Jenny and Alistair from Oz, John and Fiona from Ireland, Alex from Germany, Christina from Oz, Martin from Leeds and Erin from USA) and then we all head off for a bite to eat at Cafe 464.

Bed could not have come any sooner, I am shattered!