Nov 20, 2009 - Hanoi - Nov 16-20

Once at Hanoi, we had to queue for our visas, a process which was remarkably inefficient and time-consuming! Rather than get our visas ahead of time, we were “informed” that the quickest way was to get an online approval letter and queue at the airport. ... Having gotten our bags quite quickly and left the airport, we found our pickup waiting for us and we ventured off into the Hanoi traffic which was an experience in itself. ... The scooters and bicycles were everywhere and the road seemed to have a hierarchy – buses stopped for no-one, cars only stopped for buses, scooters stopped for buses and cars and pedestrians stopped for everyone! This resulted in a few close calls as the cars just pulled out without looking and expected the bikes to stop, which they generally did! We checked in at the hotel and headed straight for the room and pretty quickly we fell asleep – we didn’t have much time around Hanoi and 2 of our 3 days we were going to be out in Halong Bay so we wanted to be fresh for tomorrow for a full day, especially as we had to visit the US Embassy, too. ... Our hotel is in the Old Quarter of Hanoi and the streets here and narrow and compact. ... Even a stop at a tacky tourist place didn’t help ease the pain on the buttocks much! We arrived at the Halong City to catch our boat around 4 hours after leaving Hanoi and once our passports had been checked we boarded the junk boat. ...

Nov 11, 2009 - Hello from Halong Bay

Some quick notes form our past few days. Highligts of the past few days: Hanoi Hilton Water puppets Nightlife in Hanoi after the hustle and bustle of Hanoi we took a van ride out to Halong bay with our tour group. ... Favorite line of the adventure Tour guide- "don't drop paddle.Some quick notes form our past few days. Highligts of the past few days: Hanoi Hilton Water puppets Nightlife in Hanoi after the hustle and bustle of Hanoi we took a van ride out to Halong bay with our tour group. ... Favorite line of the adventure Tour guide- "don't drop paddle....

Nov 9, 2009 - More Sa Pa Scenery Delights

More trekking, better scenery today.More trekking, better scenery today....

Nov 9, 2009 - Hot Hot Hanoi

Quick notes before stepping back into the chaos of the Hanoi, Vietnam. ... Headed to dinner- will write about our group, the Hanoi Hilton and water puppets. ...

Nov 4, 2009 - Hot Travel Guide To Vietnam

There are few places on earth as captivating and as energising as Vietnam and if you are considering a vacation there then you should definitely make time to visit the former capital city, Ho Chi Minh City.There are few places on earth as captivating and as energising as Vietnam and if you are considering a vacation there then you should definitely make time to visit the former capital city, Ho Chi Minh City....

Nov 4, 2009 - Hatchet Haircut in Hanoi

It's a pretty lake in the centre of Hanoi and is about 1 mile in circumference. ... This is also home to Hanoi's equivalent of Dingle's Fungi the dolphin. ... The Yankee POWs jokingly called it the Hanoi Hilton. ...

Nov 3, 2009 - Hysterical Hanoi

Well it's official I've been wrenched from Back Bending Bliss in a Serene Samui Sanctuary and deposited in Hysterical, Hectic Hanoi. ... However, Hanoi may not be the ideal re-entry destination! It's pretty manic here. ... I urgently need to invest in some titanium strength earplugs.Well it's official I've been wrenched from Back Bending Bliss in a Serene Samui Sanctuary and deposited in Hysterical, Hectic Hanoi. ... However, Hanoi may not be the ideal re-entry destination! It's pretty manic here. ... I urgently need to invest in some titanium strength earplugs....

Nov 2, 2009 - Leaving on a Jetplane.. (Minus the stilettos)

Had a final dip in the Choeng Mon waters before finishing the unenviable task of packing up my rucksack. On arrival in Hanoi I had a pick up arranged by Anna from the originally named Hanoi Backpackers' Hostel. ... The ride into town (about 35 km) was shocking.Had a final dip in the Choeng Mon waters before finishing the unenviable task of packing up my rucksack. On arrival in Hanoi I had a pick up arranged by Anna from the originally named Hanoi Backpackers' Hostel. ... The ride into town (about 35 km) was shocking....

Oct 24, 2009 - Hanoi

Yesterday we moved on from Bangkok to Hanoi. ... So here in Hanoi we are fortunate to be in a nice hotel right near a lake in the Old Quarter. ... Hanoi is a crazy city and we have never seen traffic like it (even Bangkok does not compete!). ...

Oct 12, 2009 - Hanoi

First experience of Vietnam.First experience of Vietnam....

Oct 4, 2009 - Sorry, I think I can add photo's

Hi all, We are just about to set off for a lovely train ride overnight. We are getting out of Hanoi before we get on the bikes; if you don't know, there are 5,000 people that live in Hanoi there are also 2,000 bikes that live in Hanoi. ... It doesn't matter what time of the day I am sure that the 2,000 bikes and 5,000 people are always on the roads (at the one time).Hi all, We are just about to set off for a lovely train ride overnight. We are getting out of Hanoi before we get on the bikes; if you don't know, there are 5,000 people that live in Hanoi there are also 2,000 bikes that live in Hanoi. ... It doesn't matter what time of the day I am sure that the 2,000 bikes and 5,000 people are always on the roads (at the one time)....

Sep 30, 2009 - Update

Hi all, We'll be posting some more pics and some info hopefully tonight. We are back in Hanoi now and are flying to Nha Trang tomorrow. ... We are looking forward to some down time after a week of craziness.Hi all, We'll be posting some more pics and some info hopefully tonight. We are back in Hanoi now and are flying to Nha Trang tomorrow. ... We are looking forward to some down time after a week of craziness....