Cold

In hindsight I spent too long on the Thai islands.  Looking back on the last 2 weeks or so, it's been a lot of fun, but I haven't really done much.

It was sad to leave the good friends I have made, but also exciting to have a couple of days in Hanoi before heading back.

I was surprised by the number of people on the flight wearing scarves and jackets. Fair enough, I thought, it's an early morning flight and planes can get chilly - that's why I've brought my cardigan. I only realised that the real reason for this when we disembarked in Hanoi and a wave of cold air hit me for the first time in 2 months. Everyone else had clearly done their homework. I quickly scrabbled in my big bag for my jacket, which has seen very little wear since I got here. Putting it on was like hugging an old friend.

Order your Vietnam Visa on Arrival at Airport. Simply order online - no hassle at airport! No waiting! Quick and easy!

Bollocks.

Order your Vietnam Visa On Arrival online, be first to give it in at the desk and then wait for the following process...

1. Officer A collects all the passports from all the passengers on the plane along with visa forms and puts them in a big pile while Officers B, C and D check their emails and smoke.
2. When Officer A has finished, it is now Officer B's turn to do the stapling. Officer A is now free to smoke with Officer D, whiloe Officer C does her very best to ignore the group of 50 people wondering why she's not helping Officer B.
3. Now it's Officer C's time to shine. She arranges the passports into groups travelling together (biggest groups get dealt with first, single travellers last - a bit unfair since I was first at the counter). Officer B goes back to his computer while A and D smoke. Perhaps they don't like Officer B.
4. Officer C then calls out names and charges us each $25 for the 45 minute process we have just been through.
5. Go team Visa!

An hour and a half after we landed I left the airport in a very cheap local bus for my first view of Hanoi. Lots of tall, slim houses which apparently is to do with the tax you pay on the width of your property. Looks very cool. I didn't have much time to look around though as I needed to find the Lucky Queen Hostel. Sounds a bit fruity but it's the cheapest I could find and seems really nice. I am on the top floor so have a good view over the busy street below.

Have just had a five hour nap, put on more layers than I have worn in months, and am going out to explore.