Hio An

We spent three days in Hoi An, we all got clothes made and had a good time eating the local delicacies, drinking wine and lovely cocktails. Our hotel had free happy hour, which we made good use of the first night, but by the second realized that the cocktails were horrendous and tasted like meth. Had a good day trip to 'My Son' (see below).

Hue

On our way to Hio An, our bus stopped at Hue, so we got to see the citadel, roamed around for a while, got deliriously hot, and got back on the bus.

Hanoi and Halong Bay

Meeting up with Julia, my sister, to travel for the next three weeks was great. We spent the first couple of days exploring Hanoi – going to the Temple of Literature and the 'Hanoi Hilton' where we got to see Mcain's fighter suit (oh lala). Sadly, we missed our second chance at seeing an embalmed communist leader.

Halong Bay was beautiful, we got to see the karsts we saw in China but in water and in Vietnam. Huge lime stones jutting out of the water. We took a two day boat cruise, spending the night on a big junk ship, which was great.

Vietnam! - Sapa

Tim – looking like a dirty hippy - got stopped at customs and was made to tip out his entire bag. Our first stop was Sapa, a valley village encircled by rolling hills which are covered in rice terraces. We went on a two day hike, staying with a local family in their house, and eating, quite possibly the best meal we've had – all cooked on one open flame fire (with one wok) – ending up with about 7 dishes. We helped to cook, but eventually got side-tracked by the spring rolls. We trekked through some not so trekked routes and passed through some very traditional villages, some really poor, almost everyone wearing traditional dress and working the fields.

Dali - Sth China

On route to Dali, we took a great bus ride through heaps of Dao villages – houses with very different architecture and all painted with big mushroom murals on the walls (we never found out why..) The city was great, with loads of traditional houses, a river flowing around and under the streets. Had many delicious meals and beers in the sun facing massive mountains. Went for bike rides, walks. Was a treat.