Vietnam

Halong Bay is said to be the must see in Vietnam. A group of us booked ourselves on a two day, one night tour there that included meals and a night sleeping on a boat. There are many petitions for Halong Bay to become the eigth wonder of the world, from the pictures you can see why:

There are thousands of vast islands and cave systems that really are amazing. Unfortunately it was really overcast and cloudy on the day we went there so sunbathing wasn't an option.

Next we went to Nimh Binh which is a really run down town but we managed to hire push bikes and get outselves out into the countryside which was really amazing. We climbed up a hill and the views were immense. It was probably the first time I have heard quiet in Asia. This is the view from the hill we climbed:

Next we stopped off in Hoi An which is a gorgous little town. We'd had a battering at this point by awful bus companies, overnight bussess and people generally being rude to us so we sought some refuge in a fairly nice hotel and spent most of the day sat by the pool. In the evening though we wanted around this gorgous little town and meandered through the markets.

 After Hoi An it was time for another overnight bus which I really wasn't looking forward to. We got lucky though and the seats were okay (albeit designed for tiny Asian people). We were really looking forward to Na Trang as the weather had been overcast and often rained throughout Vietnam and we heard the people were friendlier in the South. The weather didn't improve much in Nha Trang but we booked an amazing little tour for five dollars and went round some islands. This tour was the highlight of my time in Vietnam, the men on the boats were really funny and set up a little band and sang us 'Jingle Bells' and other songs Vietnamese style!

I am currently in Mui Ne. The weather is amazing, the sea is blue, the sand is golden and we have found a place with nice people (which we are sticking to)! Later on this afternoon we are going to check out the famous sand dunes and surf down them.

Tomorrow we are off to the massive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) which is going to be mental. Luckily we have perfected are Vietnamese road crossing skills: don't look, just walk slowly so should be alright. Will only stay there for one night then it's on to Cambodia.