We've arrived!

Gemma: So where do we start?  We've been here only five days and already have so much to tell you all!

We came to Vietnam to experience a total culture shock and Hanoi delivered just that within minutes of our arrival.  After an unexpectedly long journey (both of us had misread the flight duration time - ooops!) our first look at the Old Quarter as the taxi dropped us off made it all worthwhile, and is something we'll never forget.

The place is incredible and it was clear that this is where life for the Vietnamese takes place - right there on the street. The people eat, work, shop, socialise and very often sleep (!)on the pavements, and to be there is a total attack on the senses as everything is just so different.  Needless to say, being immediately swept up in it all was just fantastic.

We were in and out of our hostel (perfect location, super-friendly staff and even had hot water!) as soon as our travel-weary bodies would allow, to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine for the first time - delicious!

The short walk to the restaurant allowed us to appreciate why the Lonely Planet guide gives advice on how to cope with the motorbike traffic (basically, they say just walk head on in to it and they'll avoid you).  It took a bit of getting used to but soon enough we were crossing roads blabbing away while bikes from every direction (some with a family of 4 on board!) weaved around us honking their horns continually and narrowly missing us - sometimes by as much as an inch.

A perfect end to our first evening involved a wander around Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of the city which provides respite for locals and travellers alike from the pollution and humidity of the Old Quarter.  It was a really calming place to be as every bench was filled with local couples sitting silently together while only meters away the chaos of the traffic whizzes round so fast that it is just a blur to watch.

After a full day's exploring on Monday - taking in the Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple and the Temple of Literature - we decided to escape the smog of the city and booked up a three-day boat trip to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island which was lots of fun.  Alison's going to tell you all about it so be sure to read the next blog too...