Carry on up Halong Bay

A final orgy of money spending in Hanoi resulted in us sending a lot of vietnamese communist propaganda back to Totnes by air mail, and also us booking a trip to Halong Bay. The first of these was done with a maximum of paperwork which detailed exactly what was being sent and whether it was worth stealing at the sorting office and then multiple stamping - Vietnamese officials do so much stamping that they have hammers with rubber stamps on the end. I look forward to seeing whether the items get out of Hanoi.

The next item was a lot easier to buy, and we went off to Halong bay by bus and ship with an over entusiastic vietnamese guide - his enthusiasm for Lou was also considerable and at the first opportunity told me what a 'lucky man' I was, especially as I had managed not to get married to her yet. A trail (trial?) of innuendo followed throughout the weekend that included some comments worthy of a vietnamese Sid James.

I looked forward to the serene boat trip out to Halong Bay, but discovered that Vietnamese people pilot boats in the same way that they drive buses and mopeds, although without the horn. After setting several collision courses with freighters across the booming Halong shipping lanes, using only his feet to steer, we got to Halong and sailed through some amazing islands. We visited caves on an island which also provided lots of opportunities for elbow jerking and winking about shapes of stalagtites and stalagmites: 'I think you know what that one like...Anybody not know - Yes, I think you know - oh you not know? - I show you later!'

Anyhow, if I find a computer with a usb port I'll upload some pictures for you to guffaw at.

Another crazy Vietnamese guide took us up to a mountain on Catba island, whilst swinging from branches in the rainforest and swinging from the railings of the huge but ailing metal tower at the top. Lou didn't make it but me and the guide had a wordless conversation which involved the comparitive hairyness of our legs and size of our feet. I was not very impressed by the bored caged monkey at the end of the tour though. The scenery and rainforest were amazing though, and we have the bites to prove we went.

Tonight we're in Hue, after an overnight journey south. It is raining to heavily to do much, so better work out where to get supper without drowning on the way.