I know it's been over a week since my last blog, those of you who actually look forward to it, sorry. Those of you who couldn't care less, congratulations - you have a life! Unfortunately the island of Ko Tao is temperemental for the internet, power and water...it made things a little tricky!

I have wound up back in Thailand and have found a northern bird in the form of Claire. We met up in Bangkok where we spent a few days with the Norwegians who we lost to the land down under, I'm sure I will be seeing more of them soon! Despite my total loathing of Bangkok, there was one highlight - regardless of the fact I won't have any need of it for the next five months, I bought a suit. At 110 GBP, tailor made with a baby pink lining, who am I to say no?!

We began a very arduous and lumbering trail south via Air Asia, a bus, crazy taxi man and two separate boats! We were in transit for a total of 20 hours - this was severely increased by Air Asia's total disregard for departure times and a full boat to Koh Tao from Surat Thani which meant we had to make a detour via Koh Phangan. Finally on Koh Tao we Master Divers where we were to complete our PADI Open Water Course. We met our instructor, Tomo - geordie ex-army, despite this he was actually pretty cool! The course itself was pretty easy, nothing too strenuous but it has to be up there as one of the coolest things I have ever done. Sitting on the bottom of a coral reef watching fish pass over head with the odd straggler sideling towards you for better inspection is beyond surreal. I had the added experience of being stung by a sea anemone which I can tell you is a lot like a stinging nettle - just with more burn! The island itself is beautiful too, beyond my hatred of Bangkok and annoyance at the rude Thai people, I can't help but love this country and all that it has to offer.


We had a wee night on the town last night in celebration for becoming certified divers. We met up with Rachel (a friend from back home) and had a civilised dinner in a beach front restaurant. The evening took a turn for the worse with a trip to a lady-boy show, it was fairly mundane until a Britney wannabe emerged with two fake penises?! Bit weird! Claire was mortified! We then head to a beach front bar by the name of Lotus Bar where buckets came and dignity left. We're now on Koh Samui after a horrifically choppy boat road, sea sickness abound! That's me done for now guys, hope all is well!

I thought it's about time to fill you guys in on my adventures in Hanoi. I've been here for 6 days and met some amazing people! After my first night things mellowed a little and the Asian rush passed me by which was wonderful, anyone familiar with Asia will know how hectic it can be.

On the morning of the 14th, I was up bright and early to get the bus to Ha Long Bay (Aerial View), a world heritage site comprising of limestone karsts and islands. I met up with Cheryl who introduced me to Amy and Lynzie, they had all travelled together. We hopped onto the mini-bus where we got talking to Charlotte and Michelle - two South Africans working/studying in London. The bus journey was fairly painless, we were dropped off in Ha Long city where we boarded a small boat which ferried us to our junk.

Many of you will have seen my facebook about my gruelling 18 hour bus journey north from Hoi An to Hanoi! Rosie and I rocked up to a small and very empty seated bus. Today's the day I lost all dignity 4 hours on a bus a berocca and a ton of water did not mix well! I slunk off to the back and did my business in a bottle! Oh the life of a traveller. I was pretty proud of my efforts! Felt pretty grim though...

We got to Hué in good time and changed buses. I bought an interesting sandwhich from a lady and her cart, no idea what was in it but it tasted pretty good, pretty sure there was dog somewhere in it! On board the new sleeper bus, I was at the top of the central aisle. For the Vietnamese I'm sure this would be fine, for a 6'2 westener it was less than comfy! Rosie provided relief in the form of Valium, definitley numbed the pain! We stopped off in a dingy cafe for food and continued the epic journey north.


As the journey progressed, there was a noticeable dip in the temperature which culminated with Hanoi where hoody and trousers were the order of the day! Off the bus, Rosie and I bundled into a taxi with two other girls to the Hanoi Backpackers Hostel. I'm not going to lie though, the road Rosie led us down looked less than savoury that early in the morning. The hostel turned out to be really nice, I checked into Club Paradise and tiredness finally caught up with me, I was gone!

I finally came too and took a wander round the city, I was in search of the post office - map in hand, determination in my heart...neither proved any use! I'm not sure if it's me or the structure of Vietnamese cities but their concept of a 'good' map is pretty tenuous! I got horrifically lost. After a huge loop of the Old Quarter I did finally arrive at the post office where communist Vietnam presented itself in all it's glory. I don't think I've ever filled out so many forms just to send a package. Half an hour later my task was completed!

I roamed the streets some more until I wound up back at the hostel - again taking much longer than you would expect. Back at the hostel I met Rosie and some other girls and we head to the hostels rooftop BBQ. Got talking to Steve and Cheryl and booked myself onto a trip to Ha Long Bay with Cheryl for the 14th. The hostel bar closed and we hit a place called 'Hair of the Dog' where I met the crazy Norweigians, Camilla and Caroline! The party came to an end when the Vietnamese boys in blue ushered us home.


My first impressions of Hanoi are slightly mixed, the city is grimey with little to do withou venturing for hours on a bus but the hostel has a wicked vibe and it's a great place to meet people and organise a rendezvous elsewhere round the world.

Our first night in Hoi An was a total bust on account of the less than comfortable bus journey, exacerbated by the fact our bus driver is the most horn happy Vietnamese guy to date! I managed to go 48 hours without a shower which was pretty rank so I made a bee-line to the bathroom! We slept a lot, Megs went out with her Vietnamese aunt and I hunted out an internet cafe with webcam - for anyone visiting, there are none! We got some dinner and early night, my liver was grateful!

On the 8th of March, with a good start on the day, Megan and I rented push bikes and head for the beach. Clearly not as epic as the mopeds but it was a fun way to interact with the locals. We got to the beach and it definitely has nothing on Nha Trang, it was a lot like Wales with similar weather!

Our first day in Nha Trang was spent just relaxing. We took a walk up the sea-front and had lunch in a beachfront brewery, it was nice to take a break from the hectic times in Saigon! We checked out the beach and then went to examine the pool, located on the 15th floor, the rooftop pool was a massive added bonus offering incredible views across the bay.

We're heading out tonight to celebrate Robbie's birthday...again!

I know it's synonmous with backpacking and everyone who travels does it but for those of you fortunate/unfortunate enough not to have taken part in the great tradition of sleeping in an airport, I thought I would share.

My spell at Suvarnabhumi International Airport began at 9:44pm February 27th, my flight was scheduled for 7:50am the following morning. Now for anyone that knows me, you'll know that 20 minutes in one spot and I'll get restless let alone 10 hours. Regardless, it was my choice and my drive to save money!

The airport itself seems to follow most moden airport blueprints; lots if glass, some unfortunate yet necessary metalwork, overpolished floors and a bulb count to rival the sun. Within the building itself, the open planned nature ensures there is never a moments silence and just to make sure of this, Thailand's attempt at classical music drones on hour after hour interupted sporadically by some indecipherable  message or another.


 
Despite all this, I found a spot which offered some shade from the glaring halogens and seemed an adequate distance from the overhead speakers. Granted it was by the toilets but you have to work with what you've got (plus it was probably the best smelling part of the airport on account of the lemongrass air freshener).

My makeshift camp consisted of my main bag as a pillow and a towel as the accompanying mattress. Now the mattress didn't just happen to be, it took many attempts - folding, positioning, testing, refolding and so on and let me tell you; no matter how much you fold a towel, it will NEVER constitute a good bed. On the bright side, I still have the joys of a budget Asian airline to experience!