Hanoi =D

I LOVE HANOI!!!

Streets were all lit up for the celebrations

We arrived in Hanoi at about midnight on Wednesday 6th October and automatically took a shining to the place, it is the total opposite from Ho Chi Minh. Its less crowded, less built up and far more tranquil, especially for a large city! We are staying in the old quarter right next to ST Joseph's Cathedral, which is pretty cool. The streets are all littered with the Vietnam flags, decorations and lights, and were pretty amazed. We have since found out that from the 1st Oct to the 10th Oct, Hanoi are celebrating a 10 day festival, because on the 10th it will be Hanoi's 1000year Birthday, which is pretty exciting and a bit of a once in a lifetime experience, pretty lucky we leave for Laos on Monday night, wouldn't you agree?

Halong Bay

Hanoi, lake in old quarter

All the people we have met along the way up Vietnam, and the Top Gear boys (Clarkson, Hammond & May) have all raved about Halong Bay, which is about 4hrs outside of Hanoi. So we thought we better check it out. We booked ourselves onto a 2day, 1 night boat trip around the world heritage sight that is Halong Bay and trust me it did not disappoint, it is stunningly breathtaking and experiencing it on a boat is just the best was to do it, especially at night sitting on the deck looking up at the stars. Whilst there we also got to go into the caves off some of the islands and explore them and go kayaking, swimming in the blue waters. It was great and certainly worth it. Just look out for the pics i promise the will be up here very very soon so you can all see what im raving on about.

Groupies on the boat

I  have just got back to Hanoi today, to a very packed city filled with the most amazing atmosphere, leading up to tomorrows celebrations, i best go get a good nights sleep so i can enjoy myself and have plenty more to update you all with!!!

much love x