Hue was not as interesting as I had expected - we were there for one night and spent the first day just looking around the Citadel and the following day we got a boat trip up the Perfume River to see a Pagoda and a temple - not very exciting but fairly chilled out. That night we got the night bus to Ninh Binh which we loved! We hired a scooter bike and drove down to where you can get a boat ride through caves and past the limestone formations along the river - it was fantastic scenery! Women row the boats with their feet whilst wearing hats, gloves, a facemask etc - I couldnt understand why they werent boiling hot! We then took the scooter further north where we were looking for the ancient city but we got a bit lost and none of the locals on the way could understand where we wanted to go! but it was no worries cos the drive was amazing - beautiful scenery - no traffic whatsoever (such a change) and really fun driving a scooter.

That evening went to Hanoi on the train (3 hour journey), staying in Hanoi Backpackers Hostel which is awesome cos its so easy to meet ppl here! I spent the first day just looking around the Old Quarter where theres thousands of little shops selling anything and everything and then went to a water puppet show. Its a famous theatre in Hanoi where puppeteers stand behind a screen in a big murky pool and control puppets to make traditional stories - like the dance of the water buffallo.

That evening was the start of the Sapa trip. Myself and 9 other ppl were on it together - we got the night train to Sapa (this brought back memories of Europe cos the trains were really similar!). We then trekked trough to different minority villages. On the way, women from the villages come ith you and then try to sell you stuff (you buy from meee!) but they were pretty helpful on the way making sure that we didnt fall! In the evening we did a homestay where we given a huge feast to share - the food was amazing! This is where my birthday celebrations began and we were given some of their traditional rice wine!

Next day we did more trekking to part of the river where we went swimming - it was freezing cold water but so refreshing after the boiling hot trek!

Got the night train back to Hanoi last night. Today a couple of ppl I met are taking me out for a massage and to a sheesha bar for more birthday celebrations! Tomorrow I go to Halong Bay for 3 days - very excited about it!

Will write again when im 23!! xxx