Hello from Hanoi! We have cranked up the pace of life a few gears ater leaving laid back Laos for the madness of Vietnam. Tubing in Vang Vieng was perhaps not a chilled out as the rest of Laos. It was the most ridiculous fun you can have in an inner tube. Had a sweet time with the Kiwis and Danes floating down the river (from bar to bar).  Spent as few days chilling by the pool in Vientienne to recover and wait for the Vietnam embassy to open after Vietnamese New Year. Enjoyed a bit of communist ten pin bowling with the Kiwi girls and tucked into the best fish ever straight from the Mekong! 22hours in the hell hole pit at the back of a sleeper bus and we made it to Nam!

Hanoi is by far our favourite city yet. It's got so much history and the most motorbikes on the road we have ever seen (crossing the road is like dicing with death) and just a general buzz about the place. Love it. The food is even cheaper than Thailand and Laos and absolutely delicious. Staying in a Hostel called Hanoi Backpackers and its really funny and brand new - complete with bar, sofas, pool tables etc so pretty ideal! Next plan is to book a two day tour to Halong Bay woooo cannot wait. Been away exactly three weeks now - it's absolutely flown by.

Looking forward to exploring the rest of Nam! sweet x

HELAOS

We've been in Laos 5 days now and its incredible. Took the slow boat down the mekong for two days which had the most incredible scenery! Was a bit sketchy when we stopped off in Pak Beng for the night - the boat literally gets swamped by locals trying to nick your bags! We're in Luang Prabang at the moment which is a really lovely town. Very FRENCH, loads of cafes. Helped a tuk tuk driver rip off some chinese people today (we were paying less than them) to get to the waterfall. it was ridiculously blue and had a rope to swing and jump in. we did. got a video of phil jumping in!

Off to go tubing tomorrow in Vang Vieng - should be interesting. We have had some interesting side affects from the maleria tablets. They don't mix well with alchohol. Philip "it was just the froth" Redgate is now Philip "it was the maleria tablets" Redgate.

Sucks Andy Murray lost.

Sucks AAndy Carroll went to Liverpool.

Oh abnd we saw some black bears today! And a massive Cow.

peace