Thailand and Vietnam

We began our adventure in Bangkok and decided to kick it off in luxury. We booked into a suite at the Grand Hyatt. The best hotel I have ever stayed at hands down! The pool was deserted and overlooked the city from a peaceful height.

Having been to Bangkok before we knew our favourite sights and sounds and headed for the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.
We then treaded the beaten path to Pat Pong and danced and drank in its many bars and clubs.

The next day we visited the giant golden buddah, and many other buddah's. After a few temples they all begin to merge into one!for me, Bangkok is all about the markets and the buzz.

However, we were both very excited to move onto Vietnam!

Advanced Open water course. I had been waiting a long time to get stuck into this. And what a place to dive. Crystal clear water, exotic marine life and beach bums!
The highlight was the nightdive whilst a monsson roared overhead. Each time lightning flashed we could see hundereds of fish around us and then darkness! Scary and my air got used up more quickly than normal!

This was a small village just south of the north-south Vietnam border. 90% of the shops are tailors and you wonder how they could possibly survive. We had some clothes made, which have consequently fallen apart, but that didn't matter. They were sweet people and couldn't do enough for you.
We had a Vietnamese cookery class and loaned bicycles of a local man and explored the area like true locals! We were welcomed into people's homes and although neither side knew what the other was saying, we managed to get a feeling for the way they live. What a kind and generous people they are. Love them

No pictures here. Neither of us liked Samui. It is a complete tourist trap and the local people are unwelcoming and unfriendly. If you are a backpacker then i strongly advise you to avoid Samui. If on a luxury holiday, then fantastic.
It has beautiful beaches but these can be found on other islands. such as Phangan.

Sorry for the negativeness!

Party Time! The full moon party held on the beach each full moon. A crazy night of ridiculous drinking and dancing. Drinks are served in buckets. you buy a bucket containing a bottle of whisky and a can of red bull (equivalent) and then you pass out!

We arrived in hanoi after an interesting flight on Vietnam airways, wondering whether we would survive the cramped seats. The local bus to hanoi city was an eye opener to the start of the adventure. We passed through the countryside where local worked in the fields and cattle meandered across the track roads.
We met a sweedish pair who had travelled through the country from the south and recomended a cheap hostel to stay at.
We trudged through the city trying to find a "recommended" hostel that turned out to be dirtier and more cockroach infested than anythign I had ever seen!

The city has more buzz than London, and I cannot even begin to describle the how many motorbikes and bicycles there are. There are no real road traffic rules. I fyou want to trun right, then fight your way through! They carrying anything on their bikes, including paynes of glass, baskets of chickens and batches of eggs!
Amazing city!

We spent a couple of nights here exploring the city and meeting only 3 or 4 other backpackers along the way. Well worth a visit.