Just blew $110 on a cruise to Ha Long Bay!
Arrived safely in Hanoi and spent the day walking around the Old Quarter. There are hundreds of companies that offer cruises and prices range from $15 to $200. The problem is that most of the cheap ones, even up to about $40, often scam you and cram the boats full so it's not quite the experience you had planned. I also don't want to end up on a boat full of couples and Vietnamese as this makes it quite difficult to meet new people. Fortunately someone told me about the Hanoi Backpackers Hostel. It is run by an Aussie guy and they organise their own boat trips. I asked people there what they thought of the trips and all advised against the $50 budget option and raved about the 3 day tour. So I'm all booked! Will be packed with backpackers and should be a once in a lifetime oppotunity. Leaving the day after tomorrow which means one more day to explore Hanoi. Tomorrow I plan to go the Mausoleum to see Uncle Ho and then to the museums in that area.
Hanoi is nice enough but takes a bit of getting used to. Walking around the old quarter is great as every street seems to be for a different thing. One was shops selling just sellotape and another was shops selling just herbs. Bizzare but brilliant. Then walked to the citadel and then to the Hanoi Hilton where American POWs were held which was very interesting.
Booking my flight to Luang Prabang tonight or tomorrow. Going to book into the backpackers hostel for tomorrow night and for when I get back from Ha Long Bay as I think that is my best chance of meeting someone who is going the same way as me.
Don't think I blogged about my tour of the DMZ but it was brilliant. Our lovely guide Hai (Hi) explained about all the places although there was really very little to see except the odd blown up tank and people selling 'souvenir' dog tags. Great trip though and met three English people so we all had a fun day. The Vinh Moc tunnels were absolute luxury compared to Cu Chi - you could stand up and everything - although I still dont know how people managed to live in them for up to 5 days at a time.
Will blog again tomorrow before a few days of radio silence while I'm in Halong.
lots of love xxxx
