Good morning Vietnam!
The journey to Hanoi was not exactly 5 star! In fact it was one of the most grueling 20 hours I’ve ever gone through. Firstly the bus and boat from Haikou to the mainland and Nanning was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen! I couldn’t help myself from laughing out loud the first five minutes on the bus ride. It was a sleeper bus but it was definitely not tailored for western men. These beds were so fucking small! The only way I could fit in it was to bend in ways I didn’t think I could. It’s unfortunate that I found this out during a bus ride through rural China rather than during something… more fun I suppose. When we finally arrived at the Vietnamese border I was knackered. And with no prepaid visa and very little cash I was a little nervous but Kevin told me to embrace spontaneity so I did! We were in luck though; when we got to the border they said something in very broken English followed by the word Swedish and then they just let us through. No money and no problems. I instantly decided that I intend to like this country!
Hanoi was a really cool city, full of scooters and really cheap hotels. We stayed at a really fancy hotel for 60 crowns a night! (60 cuay for you Chinese) It is however freezing! I’m walking around in two sweaters and I’m still a little cold. Good thing I decided to keep my shoes, unlike the other two who are walking around in flip-flops in fridge that is northern Vietnam. They keep good spirits though; I haven’t heard a whine since we got here. I imagine I would become rather horrendous to deal with if my feet were as cold as I imagine theirs are!
We just got to Ha long bay and the island of Cat ba and are staying at a hotel run by an Australian man in his 30’s. I love not having to breach a language barrier every time you need to communicate with the staff of a hostel/hotel! Tomorrow we go kayaking in the archipelago and on to the famous Monkey Island!
One thing I want to add is that I love the currency here! I felt like a total boss when I went to the ATM and took out 5 MILLION DONG!
/Victor