Hanoi Backpackers Hostel

Upon arriving in Hanoi, I found what seems to be one, if not THE, only real youth hostel in Southeast Asia. It is called Hanoi Backpackers and its dorm rooms are full almost every night. The price of a dorm room is only about two and half dollars cheaper than getting your own room in a guesthouse somewhere but it is the atmosphere that people like. In hostels, there are places where everyone can get together, hang out, share travel tips and stories, and just meet new people. I think some more...

Entry Picture Link: http://picasaweb.google.com/threevagabo nds2/HaNoiHaLongBayCapitalKayaking After an amazing 2 weeks in South/Central Vietnam... we were ready to tackle the cold and craziness in the North! On Thursday, January 15 after a 14 hour overnight bus ride (gotta love them!) we arrived SOMEWHERE in the middle of Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi, at 6:45 a.m. We waited around in our delirium for about 15 minutes for our "free mini bus transfer" to Hanoi's Old Quarter where we wanted to...

Alan: Our last day in Bangkok we decided to take it easy and just do one thing. We debated for a while on whether to go to Jim Thompson's house or the Zoo. In the end we decided on Jim Thompson's house, mainly because it was a lot easier to get to being on the skytrain line and all that. The short story on who Jim Thompson is: He was a former U.S. military intelligence officer who served in World War 2 and then moved to Bangkok when it ended. He helped revive the Thai Silk industry and built ...

We got up early on Monday to catch the bus to Halong Bay which is 3 hours from Hanoi. The hostel were staying in organizes their own tours so your guaranteed what you pay for and not one of the dodgy boats which we had heard stories of. Halong bay is another UNESCO World heritage site that has around 1600 islands ranging from large 10km wide resort islands to limestone outcroppings. The idea is you sign up for a tour and spend one night on a converted junk boat then spend the second night on ...

In the morning I got another bike, a rackety and decrepit little vehicle with a fully-inoperational back brake, and headed straight to the tailor for 10.30am. The jacket sleeves were still not quite right for me, so I asked them to alter them again. I was told to come back two hours later, so pedalled manically back to the hotel to check out first, the time for which was supposed to be midday. I had a long shower and spent ages packing all my stuff away, so was half an hour late, indeed two-t...

In the morning I woke up at 9.45am, and as I had read that breakfast finishes at 10am, I threw on some clothes like a hobo without showering and went downstairs. It really wasn't worth it, as the meal was meagre in the extreme and the pedantic kitchen staff seemed to be stopping people taking bread for no apparent reason. I didn't listen to their frenzied squawking and took some anyway. Back upstairs I had a shower then headed off for some sightseeing.

My first stop was Hoan Kiem Lake,...

In the morning we were woken up at 7.30am by the resonating sound of the gong, so we went for breakfast. After that we packed up our stuff, then had a bit of time before a boat collected us. Me and Olly played ping-pong. After just under an hour we said goodbye to the lovely island and boarded the boat. The urchins involved in last night's drama were all looking very rough, and the two girls were completely ignoring the bloke, who was sat on his own away from everyone else. People didn't real...

TBA

The flight here was ok. I've been incredibly exited about the prospect of visiting Vietnam and Hanoi is a good starting point.

This is one of the central hubs of the backpacking world in Asia. Thousands of young and old packers flock here for a cup or two of the worlds cheapest beer, Bia Hoi. At 10p a glass its sure the drink of choice.

Hanoi itself is a fantastic place to experience. It is mental. There are more bikes here than you could possibly imagine and road crossings are ...

Bollocks - we're stranded already!

I should be en-route to beautiful Halong Bay today but a Hurricane lies just off the coast and so our tour is cancelled. Interestingly enough we need this tropical beast of a shower to reach us in Hanoi so as we can move on tomorrow.

I've never been stuck eagerly awaiting a hurricane before but I am now. Another day in stinking hot Hanoi, we're already 1 behind. Oh well this is travelling - un-predictable and frustrating. Predictably the backpa...