Hanoi, Vietnam

I have changed the comments option again to allow anyone to post an entry. We'll just have to put up with some spam.

Ok, we're finally out of China. We flew from Beijing in the north of China to Nanning in the south yesterday. Nanning is known for its canine cuisine, but because we stuffed around trying to get money and a place to sleep we couldn't be bothered trying dog kabab. We left early this morning on a train bound for Pingxiang near the border. Apparently train conductors don't get paid enough, because he came up and down the aisle trying to flog indestructable socks. To show they were indestructable he repeatedly stabbed them with sharpened chopsticks and a wire brush. I mean, he really went for it in the stabbing department. So much so that he put a hole in the sock. Everyone laugh and proceeded to buy 3 pairs each. Am i missing something?

Anyway, we got to Pingxiang at lunch time, and got a motocycle taxi to the border for 20 yuan (3AUD) (bargained down from 40 yuan, and we still got cheated). Met a nice brit couple on the vietnam side and shared a taxi to Lang Son for 6USD. Then we got a mini bus to Hanoi, which by the time we arrived had been filled to the gills. Nineteen people in a bus for 12. And apparently the locals don't have to pay. Well they wouldn't once we (the 4 foreigners) paid 100 yuan each! He wouldn't bargain because he said the office set the price. I laughed and he laughed as well. At least we all know the score. At least the hostel is cheap, we're paying 3USD each...and with free internet and fruit. Fruit, i tell you!

Already we've had the best Pho Bo (beef soup) ever next door. The end.