The final weeks summary

---

(By Emily K)
We are now in Hanoi, having been on a nicer overnight train, apart from Kathy who had a mother and child next to her who seemed to think that her arm was a pillow and a man behind her who thought her shoulder was a foot rest! The journey was mostly uneventful until we arrived at Hanoi station and needed to leave the platform to get in the taxis which had been arranged: Emily S lost her ticket and was refused permission to exit the station like the rest of us. So, after a short time she, Ali, Charlotte and Nicki had to make a run through the gates to the last remaining taxi! We booked a hotel in Hue for tonight, but on arrival we were faced with vietnamese men, who had actually not booked us the hotel! Nevertheless, we found another hotel through them which is very nice. Tonight we had a very good meal near to our hotel.
Tomorrow is our last full day to book everything else that needs to be done before we arrive back in england! So, we are splitting into groups to confirm our trek, book taxis to the station for tomorrows overnight train journey(where we all have hard sleepers), book transport to the airport, source accomodation in hanoi for when we return from sapa and halong bay, and book our rest and relaxation phase.
Our trek will probably involve trekking between villages and climbing a hill towards the end. We met another team challenge group who are returning to england tomorrow and have been to both Sapa and Halong Bay, so we managed to pick up a few tips! They really enjoyed the trek, saying that the food was excellent. We will be staying in the villages at night, hopefully inside on mattresses , and not in our hamocks after all!
At the moment, our plan for rest and relaxation is to get a coach or bus to halong bay and then catch a boat to cat ba national park, which is an island in the bay. It is meant to have extremly good beaches, which sound rather tempting for after our trek! There is also a suggestion that we have dinner on a boat one night. Everyone is looking forward to this, although sad that our trip will be coming to an end.
There may not be another entry until we return from our trek in Sapa.
Hope everyone is having a good holiday!
Love Team 1
 😊 

---

Comments

[anonymous]

Happy trekking!
Just to wish you all good luck in your trek - may your legs be strong, your burgeons seem light and there be "no dramas" with blisters. Sounds like the scran should be good anyway! Thank you all for your wonderful diary entries - family and friends have thoroughly enjoyed keeping up with all your adventures. Love to all (especially Emily K!) PS Happy mincing in Halong Bay

[anonymous]

Hi Guys
Hi Sal, and the rest of the team. It is so good to read all about what you have been up too. Can't wait to see photo's as it's hard to imagine what it is actually like for you guys. I have to say Sal, that you're mums messages make me laugh so much! Looking forward to reading the next insallment. Lotsa Love Faye xxx