Day 4, 5, 6 - Halong Bay & Sleeper Train

Trip from Hanoi to Halong bay was about 3 hours and we got on the transport ship to take us to the junk about midday. Very happy with our accommodation for the 2 nights, as we had our own, albeit small, bathroom with a western toilet (woo hoo). The floor was slanted so the shower was in a corner and it drained to the opposite corner. Food was great, particularly seafood, views were great, saw monkeys that didn't have chains round there ankles, went kayaking, swimming, saw caves, climbed 400 steps up titop mountain and went to a fish farm. The water was clear green but it was a shame to see some rubbish in the ocean basically caused by lazy tourists and bins that don't have lids. There were only 5 other people on the junk who were really nice. Apart from that beers (tiger or Hanoi beer) were $2.50 aust each. We drank about $60 aust over our 2 nights. Also I'm really starting to enjoy black coffee with condensed milk - I wondering if I can get it back in Australia.....

Once back in Hanoi we got a cab to central station in Hanoi, which is about as luxurious as sydneys central station. While waiting I think I overpaid a beggar as he looked very excited when I gave him 50 cents Australian (20000 vnd), he hid the note away quick smart and even made a special effort to wave goodbye to me when he finished his 'rounds'. The smile (although missing some teeth) and wave he gave me made me feel good too.
In Hanoi to get to your platform you actually walk over train tracks. So at 630pm we were allowed onto our overnight train. After purchasing 3 beers for the trip, it was getting close to departure time and it was only Jess and I in our cabin but alas right before departure 2 south Korean uni students, Tom and June (and their lotteria - chicken burger and fries) joined us. In terms or cabin mates they were clean and quiet and looking at some of the overweight, loud British and German travellers who we could been paired with we were fortunate - it would only take 1 or 2 spicy dishes and the cabin could get quite 'stuffy'. In terms of cleanliness it wasnt great, about as good as you would expect from a $40 hotel in Golburn, but I can't see any flea bites or rashes..... yet..... I slept ok on the train, noone snored, and i woke up round 630am to sit up and watch the scenery go by, until we get in hue round 9.30am. I enjoyed the experience, although i didny dare brave the bathrooms (15 hours) and limited my food and liquid intake. I think we will use a sleeper train again for our travels in the next 2 weeks.