Hello from Humid Hanoi

Hello there from insanely busy Hanoi. As I sit and write a chorus of toots accompanies me and a light monsoon drizzle adds to the humidity outside. It is hard to believe that just a week ago we were in Singapore which is definitely "Asia lite" compared to Vietnam - more like one big shopping mall - the kids loved it! We spent only 12 hours there, breaking up our flights. The second day saw us arrive in Hanoi and visit the Temple of Literature in steamy heat, before eating at KOTO cafe, an NGO that provides education and employment to Vietnamese street kids. We caught the night train north to the mountain town of Sapa (as described by Michelle and Casey on the Pacific Discovery blog - just go to the website for student updates). The cabins were small, the toilets were dodgy and the sleep was slight. Once in Sapa, half the group took off on the trek and the other chilled for the day and evening wandering the streets of quaint Sapa and practising their bargaining and fending techniques. The following day we flip flopped. Both days were extremely hot and the students really suffered trekking in those conditions - i was proud of their tenacity. The homestay had great food and marae style sleeping. A monsoon deluge with lightening and thunder in the night meant our return journey a bit cooler, and much more slippery. Day 5 saw us back together and catching the night train back to Hanoi, arriving before 5am to see the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake pulsing with locals out walking, stretching, and dancing getting their daily constitutional. After breakfast we had a 3 hour bus ride to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay. Rising from the waters of the bay are around 2000 karst limestone islands - picturesque and pristine. We boarded 2 junks, our home for the next 2 days. The junks have 3 levels - sleeping quarters below, with en suites, dining in the middle, and a viewing, lazing deck up top. Diving off the boats into the ridiculously warm waters was our first mission! In the afternoon we took to the kayaks and cruised around some islands as a group. Unfortunately quite a lot of us took ill at one point or other on the boats - whether it was a virus or travel catching up with us I'm not sure, but it really took its toll on some. X-fingers for healthier days ahead! Those who were up for it did some more kayak exploring the next day into a cave and swimming off a beach. This morning we walked through an enormous cave before heading back to land and the bus ride back to Hanoi - where we stay in a lovely hotel for the next two nights before flying south to Saigon. Hard to believe it's so cold back home when we drip in the humidity here. Last day of term for you all - enjoy the beginning of your well-earnt holidays and I'll send another update before we leave.
Squeezes to loved ones,
Rachel and Paul.