Halong to home

We didn't have Internet for the last week away, so here is the last post now I'm back.

After getting a cramped bus to Halong docks from hanoi we had to get a taxi in the pouting rain to our hotel on an island just outside of the town. When we got there we got a golf buggy ride up to our huge room which unfortunately we had to spend a lot of time in. The weather in Halong was awful and our plan to go on a half day tour of the bay was ruined due to fog and heavy rain. There was nothing else to do in Halong so we spent most of the time just sitting around and having dinner at the overpriced hotel restaurant.
We then had to get a bus back to Hanoi where the driver played an action film on full volume in vietnamese which we couldn't even drown out with our headphones.
Getting back to Hanoi we had a new hotel to stay in which was very friendly but unfortunately I got locked in the bathroom after ten minutes and it took three vietnamese men, a hammer and meat cleaver half an hour to get me out. That evening we went out to buy dvds, which I ended up with 27 of (they do work in England).
The next day we booked an internal flight as the train was fully booked on the best seats and it only cost an extra ten quid with 30 hours difference. This was quick and stress free and allowed us to relax with a night in HCMC before our flight home. We went for a final bit of shopping before heading to a bar for dinner. The next morning we checked out of Hello hotel for the second time and went to a café for lunch, where we met another brit called Henry who was on our flight. We chatted with him for a few hours and shared a taxi to the airport and checked in together. On the plane we shared our three seats with a man who smelled worse than anyone else I've met so far, fortunately for me Lucy drew the short straw and sat next to him to Turkey.
Overall we both had an amazing time with such a unique experience and eye opening trip we're both very glad we picked vietnam and already miss a few things, especially the sticky rice.
Thanks to anyone who's followed us

H

Rainy day

Today we got up very late as we still haven't got used to the time difference. So at half three we left the hotel for the zoo. It took about and hour and a half to finally get there through ridiculously heat.
We bought our entrance tickets for 8,000 VND(30p) each, but unfortunately didn't get to see any animals as it began to rain instantly. Not rain like in England, but monsoon rain that instantly flooded the paths. We had no choice but to take cover in a train carriage in the bushes. Luckily a toad jumped past us so we count that as seeing an animal.
The rain took an hour to die down and then the zoo shut so we had to leave through the drizzle for the long, and now dark, walk back.
Finally we're back at the hotel and have to check out tonight as our train to Phan Thiet is at 6.50am tomorrow.
H

First night

I've just had the authentic pho, a beef and vermicelli noodle soup and Lucy had chicken with cashew nuts and sticky rice.  We stopped at a little restaurant today, still in fear as to how the street food vendors operate. I had a pint of saigon lager for 10,000 VND, which is around 30p, and it was actually nice. Strolling down the street I took a quick snap to show how lit up the food streets are at night.
The hotel staff are so friendly to the point it is a little awkward, lots lined up for tomorrow.
H