We're here!!!

Finally after a gruelling day of travelling we have arrived at our hotel in Hanoi. The Hong Ngoc 3, it is very nice and very clean. Outside it is VERY busy and VERY hot. We went out for a meal with the group this evening and Charlotte and I spent about $4 each!!! That was including beer!
We have seen our first lizards and a big cockroach, but nothing too scary so far - except the driving!

Our taxi ride from the airport was mental. At one point there were 4 guys on foot pushing a cement mixer across a dual carriageway! They make no effort to avoid the traffic and the traffic makes no effort to slow down for them but miraculously everyone always seems to escape unharmed. Cows graze by the side of motorways and we saw a moped piled high with live pigs. The highway code seems to be the guy with the loudest horn has the right of way. There is also a secret horn language: one toot is I'm behind you; two quick hoots is look out I'm coming through regardless of how safe it is; two loud blasts is get outta my way and any more than that seems to be in place of any expletives or fist shaking we might see at home.

We have to get up early tomorrow for a mini-van ride to Halong City, where we will catch a Junk boat out into Halong bay where we will spend the day and night, before breakfast and lunch on the boat the next day and a drive back to Hanoi. At halong bay we will see the hundreds of limestone Karsts that rise up from the sea and sale into caves inside them. We will then have a chance to swim, kayak or explore one of the many islands.

We can't wait to get out and see it and the rest of the experiences this trip will bring.

Miss you all...

PS We will try and get photos up soon- when we have actually taken some!