Hanoi and Ha Long Bay

Arriving in Hanoi was a bit of a shock after the quiet, relaxed charms of Hoi An... It was busy - very busy and this was at 10.30pm at night. We trooped round looking for accomodation with an Australian couple we had met en route called Pip and Peter. I have never met anyone who sounded as Australian as Pete and he used every stereotypical Aussie term in the book - it was all I could do not to laugh, but it wouldn't have done much for English/Aussie relations now would it?

Spent the first day chilling - when we weren't trying to get run over on the streets! They use the little pavements for anything but walking on - parking motorbikes, selling stuff, eating and cooking and the like. We also had time sitting by the lake in the old town... it was all very civilised you know. In the evening we went to Hanoi's Water Puppetry Theatre to watch a show - it was great! Was amazed what the puppeteers were able to get the puppets to do and the traditional music was fantastic - some odd looking instruments that make great noises... Perhaps I'll have to try one if I ever get round to mastering the flute.

On the second day we set off for a two night three day tour of Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is the image of Vietnam that many people know but don't realise... It's where the coast is littered with small islands and rocky outcrops - there's litterally hundreds of them and only some are named as there are so many. You usually see a picture of them with a red-sailed junk sailing through the bluey green water. Unfortunately, as it was winter, we didn't get to see it at it's best but it was still breathtaking. The whole area is incredibly calm and serene. There's a gentle mist around some days and it gives the place a wholly magical feel.

Scattered amongst the islands are floating houses and fish farms. People (and numerous dogs) live on these platforms that are often strung together with a combination of planks, plastic barrels and bailing string. We had the opportunity to walk on one and it makes you realise just how flimsey they are. There was even a floating school which was novel to see. It was mad to see how people were living and it really made me realise how little they had.

We visited some caves and had an opportunity to swim on the first day - no one took it! It was far too cold. We also bought stuff from the 'floating' shops that arrived every time the boat stopped - women on baskets boats overladen with all sorts of food - crisps, chololate, biscuits and fruit... We then were deposited on Cat Ba Island (the biggest and populated island in Ha Long Bay) for a night in a hotel - the second night was spent on the boat. We got the chance to kayak around for a bit - it was great and incredibly peaceful.

On our return to Hanoi we decadently booked into a posh hotel in the 'executive suite' no less. Well, where else could we afford to do it? Was great to have a spa bath, mini bar, giant tv and bed along with the complimentary fruit and tea and coffee. What was it I said about landed-gentry? Jon and I enjoyed the room to the full before saying a very sad farewell, as I returned to Bang Kok before flying to Oz and he remained in Vietnam to then continue on to Sri Lanka.