We have crossed the border to Vietnam! Arrived in Ho Chi Minh which was as hectic and crazy as last time. Found a hotel and then Beer Hoi - the fresh beer which Jan reckons has no alcohol so he can have several.
From HCM to Dalat by bus. dalat is in the highlands and is the "Paris" of Vietnam (due to a phone tower in a tower shape). It is much cooler and almost alpine in feel with a large lake, hills and pine forests. We went for a short walk up a mountain - 5km in the end and then it poured as we slid back down.
The next adventure was Nha Trang. A beautiful bus ride down the hills to a fantastic beach. It is a picture perfect tropical paradise and we enjoyed a couple of beach days.
Then the overnight bus to Hoi An. The sleeping buses are not for the feint hearted. But they are a cultural experience and quite comfortable as long as you have good balance if you are on a top bunk like I was!
Hoi An is the wonderful historical gem of Vietnam. My next posting I will talk about going back to Swim Vietnam; the charity we were with in 2009. Meanwhile - back to beer hoi.
