Hanoi and Halong Bay Photos

Cruising round Halong Bay.

A floating village.

Pagoda on a single stilt.

Across the lake in Hanoi.

Gareth having High Tea!

In the "Surprising Amazing Cave" - beautiful but not that surprising for a cave.

Water puppets - quite terrifying when all in one place.

Our hotel road - you wouldn't believe our clean, top class hotel is hidden on this shabby street.

Halong Bay

We got back from our cruise round Halong Bay last night. It was really beautiful - like something from a Chinese fairy tale. It was really relaxing and the people we went with were really nice. Luckily there were no nuts in sight as I was a bit nervous about having to eat bananas for 2 days. We had lots of plates of meat, seafood, rice... so I could choose exactly what I wanted without looking rude. Loads of people were really fussy about the seafood so I really didn't feel embarassed at all.

We're now in Hanoi for another day and night then back to Ho Chi Minh tomorrow. It's been just long enough to see everything but I do wish I had another week off before getting back to school. We have our production in 2 weeks and reports to write aaarrrggghhh! Anyway I mustn't moan as we still have 3 more days to relax. I am taking Gareth to the Sheraton buffet dinner on Saturday night for his birthday so I'm really looking forward to that. Photos soon!

Hanoi

We arrived in Hanoi yesterday afternoon and had a nice Italian meal in the old quarter - where we're staying. Hanoi is really crazy. The streets are tiny and busy but really interesting. Some people can't stand the madness of it and have hated their visit to the city but we're both really loving it.

We took a walk today from the lake, in the middle of the town, through lots of little streets. Just like Ho Chi Minh they have streets selling loads and loads of one thing - like metal furniture, shoes or charcoal... It was really interesting as we went from one street to the next. The blacksmith street was like I imagine parts of London to have been 200 years ago, the sound was incredible. The apothocaire street, full of herbal doctors and potions almost knocked us down with the smell. There are some amazing handicrafts here - so much cheaper than Ho Chi Minh. I really like the oriental lanterns. I just hope I don't end up spending too much.

We had a lazy afternoon in our hotel after walking so far in the morning and we plan to go to a French restaurant tonight for steak. Yum! We're off to Halong Bay to take a cruise in a junk for a night on Wednesday.

I will put on photos as soon as we get back home.

At the orphanage

Yesterday I bought a really nice lamp which makes our flat look so cosy. I went to the orphanage this morning with Isie and Ali. It was nice to have a cuddle and a gossip, except that all the kids were reallt snotty today - I hope we don't all get ill.

The weekend at last!

This has been the longest week of my life. It just seems to have dragged on. I had parents' evening on Thursday night - talking for 4 hours straight after teaching all day is really a killer. I even had one cheeky parent say I was just making excuses by not running my club after school on that day. Bear in mind I got rid of the last kid at 2.45 and received my first parent at 3pm. That time was very quickly used for the loo!
So I am really please I have 2 lovely days to relax. I am thinking about having a massage. Tonight I have to go to a friend's birthday - while Gareth goes out to watch football. But no other plans. Last night I got my new couch - now Gareth and I don't have to scrap about who gets to lie down to watch a film any more. Yey! Now we need a nice standing lamp so I will have to start saving. I have already spotted one so might pick it up soon.

Lovely Meal

Went to a great French restaurant last night that we love. Had French onion soup and steak and chips. Yum! Went for a couple of drinks afterwards - although I was just on the water as I have a sore throat again. Went to the orphanage today and played with some cute kids. Then we had a lovely long brunch in the courtyard of the Refinery - which does a fantastic 3-course breakfast menu. Yum again! Went shopping after and got caught in a torrential downpour. Bought some really cute fairy lights but each one is a tiny white Chinese lantern and a really nice tribal ceremonial wall hanging traditional to the area Sapa in northern Vietnam (that I've had my eye on for ages). This week my new sofa comes and I want to get a nice teapot and cups set too. Lots of shopping!

Singing

We had a great night last night. The school band played at a pub in An Phu. I sang an Aretha Franklin song and was so scared and nervous. It was ok but I couldn't really hear myself so the higher parts were a bit wobble. It was really good for me to sing in front of an audience but I'm not sure how soon I'll do it again!

Chilled weekend

Ben

Gareth

Had a really relaxing weekend. Didn't go out at all in the evening - so I feel fully relaxed for school this week. Friday night was great - take out steak-frites yum! Had 2 early mornings - went to the orphanage on Saturday morning then got up really early to see Gareth running the 4km Vietnam businesses charity run. Everyone in our school came in at a really good time. The winner of the women's race was from BIS and third place too. The men took second and third place as well - everyone is so fit here (except for me). It was so hot and everyone was sweating like mad. Then I went off for lunch with Euan then a practise at school for our band night in the pub next Friday. The teachers stated a band at the end of last term. Anyone who wants to sing gives them their song title and they perfrom at the band night. There are so many musical people in our school. I'm singing for the first time and am very nervous!

Busy weekend

After lying in bed all last weekend ill and feeling sorry for myself I've had a really busy weekend this week. I feel quite shattered and have to go to school tomorrow. aaarrrgh! On Friday night it was Mexican Independence day - which they celebrated in a bar called Cantina Central. It was great - they even made a pinata.

On Saturday our friends and their new little baby came for sausages sarnies for lunch. Then I went off to play bass guitar with a couple of friends who were looking for someone to play for ages. It was great to do some music stuff.

Last night I had a few people to mine then we went to a new club called the Cage. The interior design was amazing but it was a bit full of posers! So I went off to meet Gareth who was watching football in the pub near our house. Then we wondered home and slept in till far too late. Were off to have lunch later and I fancy mooching around some furniture shops.

Last weekend

Last weekend we went dancing on Friday night. Gareth and I were very civilised and had cocktails on the roof of the Sheriton Hotel - with a great view across the city. We went to see Janet's husband who was playing in a band at an Irish pub. Then we went to Apocalypse now - a really cheesy night-club. But we did have fun dancing!





I'm feeling very sorry for myself - after staying at school until 8pm twice this week for parent meetings and to catch up on work I have exhausted myself and have come down with a horrible cold. Gareth was out last night and tonight and I am stuck at home coughing and sneezing. Ihate it! Hopefully I should be better for school on Monday.