Monday 30th October

Another travel day. Another lazy morning though hanging out with our crowd of 6 for the last time. With Willy heading to China and Don going home (sucks to be you Don) the rest of us said our goodbyes and hit a taxi (here the main transport are either tuk-tuks - not like Cambdia, these have more of a three wheeled chariot setup pulled by the front half of the ubiquitous scooter and only fit 2 in comfort - or taxis - small trucks fitted with a cover and bench seating) for the airport.

The journey was long (with no direct Chiang Mai to Hanoi flight we had a big detour through Bangkok) and with a delay we were nervous about our connection (you book each leg individually on Air Asia). However the Bangkok-Hanoi leg was also delayed and we made it without a hitch.

Our hotel in Hanoi booked last minute for a late night arrival was not the best but at least we got a room one floor up for Tracy (no elevator/ lift here). We were able to wander up to the city's West Lake where Tracy, Cindy and John ate the local soup of meat, veg, noodles and broth sitting on the side of the road on tiny plastic chairs. The non meat eater declined to investigate the street food but we all enjoyed a local bar nearby with a view of the lake till closing time.