arrived at 4:00 this morning in Hanoi on the overnight train from Hue. it's raining pretty steadily and for the first time, i am shivering from the cold. a far cry from the tropical heat that i packed for. everyone else has decamped for day rooms to pass out like sardines - two people spooning on one twin bed. i am spending my early morning hours being able to monopolize the sole internet connection in the hotel.
Tomorrow we set sail for Halong Bay and the Cat Ba islands. the scenes from Indochine that i have always dreamed of seeing will be reality.
