2007-02-22 - Vietnam

			Ho Chi Minh City 35 images   We had most of a day to see HCMC (formally Saigon) before meeting up with the rest of the tour group. We hired some very touristy 'cyclos' with drivers and did a small tour.
			Cu Chi Tunnels 13 images   A day trip out of HCMC to the Cu Chi Tunnels.
			Mekong Delta 36 images   Ha took us on an unplanned side trip to the Mekong Delta (because our flights had been delayed and we had time to spare). It turned out to be one of our highlights of the trip.
			Hoi An 28 images   A change of pace after the relentless motorbikes of Ho Chi Mihn City! This is the place to get clothes tailored, although we didn't get anything custom made. We also hired some bikes and cycled to the beach.
			Marble Mountains 22 images   The bus stopped mid-way between Hue and Hoi An at the mable mountains. We didn't have a long stop, just long enough to walk up and see the temples briefly, and one out of many caves.
			Hue 52 images   Hue was the old capital of Vietnam and an important trading city. Definitely the highlight of our time in Vietnam was the motorbike tour, on which all these photos were taken. After visiting the citadel, we then rode out into the countryside and trough the rice fields, stopping at a small market where we bought fruit. Lunch was a treat for us - stopping at a monestary where the monks cooked us a vegetarian banquet - by far the best meal all trip. Then on to a king's tomb (sorry for being vague, I've left this all too long and forgotten the names. If interested, email me and I'll look it all up. It is an extremely interesting story actually - so please do ask.)
			Hanoi 15 images   The modern capital of Vietnam. We arrived in the small hours of Tet morning (e.g. new-years eve - but feels more like Christmas to us westerners) so everything was all closed up. We went and saw Ho Chi Mihn himself (on display in his tomb), where they also have preserved his house and offices. Our group leader showed amazing hospitality by inviting us all back to her parents house for Tet lunch (think Christmas dinner)!! She has a kiwi ex-pat husband.
			Halong Bay 99 images   The last night we spent with the tour was spent overnight on a boat out in Halong Bay.
			Cat Ba Island 17 images   After returning to port in Halong bay, we split off from the group (skipping the final night back in Hanoi) so that we could spend more time in the area, on a short 2 night tour out to Cat Ba island (also in Halong Bay).