Raining in Vietnam

It rained in China and now it's raining in Vietnam. Not sure this travelling lark is all it's cracked up to be. Could have stayed in the UK if it was rain I was after! I exaggerate really, we're in the mountains in the north of the country and we're basically in the clouds so it's a kind of constant drizzle really, not unlike home! It's a shame because the scenery is meant to be great but we can see very little. Off on a trek tomorrow so fingers crossed it clears for a bit and we might see the top of Vietnam's highest peak.
So we've had a rather unproductive day after arriving on the sleeper from Hanoi at 5.30am this morning - booked more onward travel (sorry planet but cheap flying beats the overnight bus) and otherwise explored Sapa, which has meant a drink in the Red Dragon pub and trying to fob off the locals, who want to sell us all kinds of local tat! Staying in a cool little French place called Baguette Et Chocolat which trains local people Jamie Oliver-style! But to backtrack a bit...
Last Friday night we left China on the sleeper to Hanoi, which was fine except we spent most of the night awake going through border checkpoints and onto a terrible Vietnamese train for the last leg. Not a very nice night and almost lost the Lonely Planet to a Chinese official who didn't like the fact that they had Taiwan listed as a separate country! Gave it to a nice Danish couple when they decided to hand it back.
Then had a day in Hanoi, which was mad and a complete contrast to China. Narrow streets, even crazier driving, much less controlled and more frenetic. Liked it though and we stayed in a great 4th floor room that had floor to ceiling windows on 3 sides, like a conservatory on the roof! Have got very interested in the history but haven't seen much evidence of the war etc. yet.
We then headed for a 4 day trip to Halong Bay, which has the same kast (steep limestone) rocks as Guillin but in the sea. Had a great time cruising around the islands and then on Cat Ba Island, which is the largest. Good people (some Brits we had a laugh and watched the Euro 2008 final with), a bit of exercise (trek, cycling and kayaking) and just great scenery to be sailing through. Lots of boats and people, and already finding some of the Asian ways (and treatment of tourists) and bit of a pain, but really glad we did it. It was then back to Hanoi and up here to the hills!
We're heading south next, before heading to Malaysia to climb Kinabalu!

---

---