Good morning Vietnam

OK so I couldn't reist the blog title and I apologise for posting another blog so quĩckly but we have already ẽperienced so much in Hanoi.

Hanoi is a thriving, throbbing, pretty god damn mental city. Our flight from Laos took an hour and we then jumped in a minibus to the old quảrter of Hanoi. As soon as we got off the bus we were surrounded by guys wanting to give us a lift on their motorbikes. We politely declined and mảrched off to find a hotel. We found one thanks to a local who took us to the hotelhe worked in. It seemed nice enough so we checked in. Vietnam were playing Quatar in the Asia Cup and as we checked in they scored and the locals watching in reception went nuts.

We wandered down to the lake and watched the madness of Hanoi unfold before our very eyes from the balcony of the river view restaurant. After the game ưhich ended 1-1 evẻyone in Hanoi seemed to get on their motorbike and drive around the lake tooting their horns, waving flags and generally having a blast. I'll upload some photos when I have a chance and may stick some footage on You Tube.

This morning we checked out of our hotel as the girl on reception was very pushy and trying to get ú to sign up for all kinds of stuff. It ưas also on a main street and Hanoi is a busy and noisy place! We found a nice hotel down a quiet side street but unfortunately it was full, but the guy said they have anothẻr hotel not far and he would get someone to come and take ús there. We were ẽpecting to walk but 2 guys showed up on motỏbikes and we hopped on the back, complete with our large backpacks! We sped through the traffic and held on for dear life - the drivers were completely relaxed and after a minute I began to ẹnoy it - crazy though it was.

Anyway we are now in our new hotel - quieter and nicer. We are going to try and get tickets for the Japan v United Arab Emirates gamê tonight - Lynn can hardly contain her joy - and also book a 3 night/4 day trekking tour in the Sapa region.

I'll be in touch.