Minh Tan Hotel Hanoi

I've just crossed the border into Vietnam having spent the last week in Laos. The ancient name for Laos translates to Land of a Million Elephants. I didn't see a single elephant but the number of Buddha statues I've seen so far make up for that. Laos has without a doubt some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. I crossed the border into Huay Xai, a small town with not much to do. It was in Huay Xai that I was introduced to the very potent rice whiskey ...

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Day 6 : Da Lat - Nhatrang

Day 7 : Nhatrang tour

Day 8 : Nhatrang relaxing

Day 9 : Nhatrang – Fly To Danang – Transfer to Hoi An

Day 10 : Hoi An – Hue half day tour

Day 11 : Hue City tour

Day 12 : Hue – Fly to Hanoi ...

... bus ride ( i like the journeys lots! See some funny things, like bodies being put into coffins on the street!) It was Nicolas 22nd birthday, so we got her a vietnemese hat to wear for the day. Half way we stopped at a factory, where they sewed a picture form a photo. I asked how long it took to make- 6 months!! They were really nice too, I decided I would buy one, but Kat said Hanoi was cheaper. Really liked Hanoi straight away, busy and looked like ...

... also filled with tourists and people trying to sell all kinds of stuff, like photos which I was taking but then it goes from "do you wanna buy...."and then when I said no it went to "I'm hungry can you give me money" and they are very persistent but then again so am I with saying no. Anyway the lake is a great place to just sit and people watch or to bring a book and read with maybe some snacks and a beverage or two ala picnic ...

... and other colorful goodies from the farm...and all of these people were driving in the pouring rain. On the periphery, there were beautiful building surrounded by blown-out shells of buildings.

We had been warned ahead of time that crossing the streets in Hanoi would be a great challenge. That was an understatement. Traffic is unyielding (primarily motorbikes, but also taxis, trucks, and tuctucs. There are traffic lights, but they're rarely ...

... in the prison that they had pictures of them playing pool and basketball etc.
It is also the prison that John McCain was in whilst he was prisoner in Vietnam.
For the benefit of Natalie and Sally, possibly Lisa and Hannah too, John McCain was the losing candidate to Barack Obama in the recent US elections!!!!!

We then came back to the hotel, sorted some flights and blog entries and pics out, before heading to meet Hannah and her friend Sophie for a ...

... the One Pillar Pagoda when a guy comes over with what I guess was his daughter and says photo and waves camera at me. Im like oh sure, and go to take the camera to take a picture for him, and hes like no, you and her! Errrrrrrr, what?!?!?! No thank you! Do not get what that one was about!!! Who takes photos of random people? And yes, before you say it, I know Im more than willing to pose with anyone after a few pinots but this is different! x

... loose and flowing ...like clothes meant for pregnant ladies. I made a mental note NEVER to buy one of this blouse ....haha! Arrived at Hue safely and was met with warmer temperature and a slight drizzle. Another local lady tour guide met us at the airport. This one wasn't as helpful as Ah Fang and was more interested in sms =ing with her handphone. So l didn't bother to learn her name....lol. All of us (kids included) were kind of ...