Welcome to Vietnam...

Had a hectic few days...fun but busy lol...
Had a lovely meal on my last night in Laos on the riverside...now i had a minor forgetful moment that i have been paying for. I forgot to put insect repellent on as i was leaving the guesthouse- i was running late to no surprise so it just slipped my mind...well when i got back i realised i had a silly amount of bites on my leg, i think it was about 37 on one and 25 on the other- lets just say i have been paying for that mistake lol. No worries as today in Hanoi i managed to get some random stuff from the pharmacy- god knows what it is but the instructions (which are in english) say it can be used on insect bites. I have been owe-ing my thanks to alot of people who have donated relief stuff- Antisan being the best...i have seen Tiger Balm just about everywhere on my travels apart from when i have needed it- typical but oh well :)...i survived to tell the tale!
My final words on Laos is that the roads are a work in progress...so when i managed to book my flight ticket it was a minor blessing. Did cost me $120 more than the bus ticket (bus ticket only $20 compared to $140)...The flight wasn't so simple as i had to fly from Vientiene to Luang Prabang then from there to Hanoi but definately worth it.
I had booked into a hostel here in Hanoi and then picked me up from the airport- such a lovely simple procedure- i do like a simple life occasionally. As soon as i got here i booked onto a 2 day trip (1 night) to Ha Long Bay...such a laugh and fun time, we went swimming in the water (way too salty for my liking and after swallowing a bit when jumping in the water off the boat my swimming was cut short)...we also did some Kayaking into some caves...such a good time and the scenery was stunning. Food was wonderful too and so much of it.
We stayed in the boat overnight meaning we saw sunset (i don't think anyone saw sunrise lol)...we also stayed up all night when someones ipod playing (There were speakers on the boat) and playing a murder mystery game- good fun where 1 person is a detective,1 person an angel and 2+ people are the mafia who kill off the rest of the people who are towns people. The townspeople who are alive get to chose who they think are the mafia and regardless if they are right or wrong the person they chose is out the game and if the number of mafia exceeds townspeople then the mafia win...and if all mafia are killed the townspeople win- simple...well sort of.
Some people also went for a midnight dip but i decided that i was fine without- most people just in underwhere, 2 lads nude, bless them lol.
Definately a fun night.
Woke up this morning bright and early for a 7.30 breakfast, well to be honest i don't know what time i woke up as i put my phone and watch in my bag which was locked up in the safe but i was on time and early for breakfast lol.
This evening i went to watch a show at the water puppets theatre- definately worth seeing and quite a skill. Fun to watch. We also treated ourselves to english food and some rather lovely ice cream that was recommended to us- very hard to find down an alley but absolutely worth the find. so nice!
I keep coming up on a minor technicality in that i respond and say hello and thankyou still in Laos...I am sure give me a few more days and i will be able to do basic vietnam (probably respond in vietnamese by the time i get to cambodia ;) )
Got myself a vietnamese Sim card tonight to add to my collection...will let you know my number at some point.
Off tomorrow to Hue on the overnight bus then hoping to go straight to Hoi An and stay the night there instead. Doing a 4 stop jump on and jump off bus down through Vietnam stopping at Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Sai Gon then from Sai Gon i will be heading off to Cambodia. I am told its only 10hrs overland.
Hope everyone is well :)
xxxxx

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