Hanoi and Halong Bay

Have just returned to Hanoi following a three day Halong Bay adventure. Day One we squished ourselves into a little minibus with all our luggage declaring that we would never return to the hotel we were leaving (some issues with laundry, stinky cigarette smoke filled room and a visa extension paid for, but not fulfilled - the visa-devoid parties have been nervously waiting for the Vietnam authorities to pounce!).

On the bus, some idle chit chat revealed that 85% of the group were Aussies (apart from my token Irish friends). One conversation ran as follows:

'So where are you from?'

'Melbourne'.

'What do you do there?'

'I've just finished a Health Sciences degree at Latrobe'.

'Oh, do you know Pranee Liamputtong?'

'Yes, she was my honours supervisor'.

'She's my MUM!!'.

This was followed by exclamations of disbelief and wonder at the workings of the universe...

I mean, what are the chances of that? The world is a seriously small place!

Halong Bay was cold but beautiful. Braving the top of the junk to snap some pics was risking hypothermia, but I got a few to share with you. We stopped at a beautiful cave then slept the night on the boat. Next day we climbed a mountain on Cat Ba Island, grasping jagged rocks and climbing slippery, rusty ladders during the ascent. At the top was a four story metal structure to enable an even better view. I squashed my fear and braved the stairs and was able to take some more lovely photos. Pa, you would have loved it!! I returned safely to the earth without slipping or breaking anything and the structure also remained in one piece.

That night we enjoyed some drinking (white wine from Dalat for me) and had an awesome dance at the local nightclub on Cat Ba Island. Much fun!! Next day we returned to the boat and headed back to Hanoi, via a long wait at a mediocre restaurant. To get off our boat we had to clamber with all our packs (and my guitar) from boat to boat, which were all crammed against each other in the bay close to the dock. After a few hours on the bus we had a 'loo stop' (read 'opportunity for the tourists to buy shonky wares out of guilt at the handicapped childrens workshop') and I decided it would be fun to join in a game of hacky-sac with some random travellers. Feeling far more graceful and athletic than reality allowed, I took a plunge for the hacky, tripped in a crevasse in the concrete, twisted my ankle and landed arse first into the 15cm wide channel of water. As I sat grasping my ankle and rocking in pain, the water seeped through my fisherman pants, leggings and undies. I provided a great laugh for the 40 or so tourists sitting inside and then slowly made my way back to the bus to find some dry clothes.

My friends have rationed me to only one 'pain complaint' a day, however I have informed them that if they take a moment to ask 'How is your ankle this morning? Has the swelling gone down?', I will feel adequately acknowledged and comforted and will not need to mention it!! So, yes, the ankle is a little painful, but there is very little swelling so all is well. I can carry my pack so still qualify as a backpacker/traveller.

We are heading into Laos in the next few days... will be lovely to be in the warm again. So long sweeties!!