Hoi An

Now in Hoi An - picture shows view we had from the bus. Visited the ancient part of Hoi An & girls shopped until they dropped! Afternoon spent making lanterns then off to dinner.

Weather very hot & humid with tropical downpours.

Today off to cooking class then to temples - hopefully with a dip in the pool as well!

Tomorrow we fly down to Ho Chi Minh City.

All well with only problem being will girls get all shopping in luggage - luckily Vietnam air allow 30kg!!

Vietnam travels

Our travels are going well. Hanoi was a bit of a mixture of sightseeing & not able to go out because of tropical storm! Girls wanted to get out so like a mother duck with her little ducklings I got them across the road & the had to bargain for them in shoe & bag shops!!

We travelled to Halong Bay & got aboard a 5* or so it seemed Junk. Meals were silver service - don't know about the girls but we were in seventh heaven. We even managed a massage!  We swam, had dragonboat races & visited a grotto. Sunrise was spectacular!

It was then back to Hanoi to complete some of the activities we missed because of the rain. 7pm saw us on the overnight train (massive downgrade from the Junk! Unfortunately about 10 minutes out a motorbike rider tried to beat the train & came off second best - very traumatic for all as our carriage was right where the bike & person ended up. It appears that the rider was unconcious but his bike was fine - it was a real life lesson in consequence of actions! A couple were upset but we looked after them & eventually thye were ok.

This morning was all about what a terrible nights sleep they had - we just reminded them about the people who would not have had a soft sleep like they did! We are now in Hue & have visited the Citadel & other sights. Then it was in for a swim - it's very hot. I must say the hotels have all been miles better than I'm used to so am enjoying it. Girls are being great & are keeping the Vietnamese economy going!

Arrived Vietnam

Finally arrived in Hanoi at 10pm Viet time after leaving Oz at 10.30 am!
Girls have been great but they were all ready for bed when we arrived but the Hotel had put on a three course meal - we did our best but when our bodies knew it was really 2am it was difficult!


We will be touring around Hanoi today so more news on our travels later

Still testing!

Hopefully I will eventually get this blog to work for everyone! Am getting ready for the school trip to Vietnam - have to make sure girls understand this is a cultural trip & not a 'fashion parade'. The weather will still be in the 30s with high humidity so one day of make-up dripping off their faces maybe they will listen to us!


I have ordered a Kindle (electronic book - download books for a fraction of the paper price & tiny) so hope it arrives before I leave so that I don't have to carry an books.


Got to go am working at a Rotary BBQ!