Is this the end of the daring duo?? Will they survive in each others pockets??!!! Tune in now to find out!!!

Arrived in Vientiene a week ago now, capital of Laos and nice in a not much there kind of way. Being harsh, it's ok, though tere really is not much to do, though plenty of bars and restaurants. Well anyway, and I'm writing from my perspective, I thought Derek was being an ass so I told him so. He didn't appreciate it. So one thing led to another and he ended up leaving and booking into another guesthouse!!! :-o In the meantime, I had a great 2 days wandering around with a couple of Buddhist monks who befriended me so they could practice their english, it was brilliant cos we had a great chat, and I met one of them again to show him how to navigate the internet (yes me!). Also as it happened Anne Maria and two of Cathy's best friends Mags and Audrey flew into Vientiene from Hanoi on their way from Oz, and Alex and Melissa (the kiwis) who are cycling around SE Asia arrived in town. So we all went out for food and drinks and cos it's such a small world travelling, Derek came along too, and we were friends again. Aw! Was great to meet up with everyone for a chat and a beer, though the whole town shut down at 9pm??? so that put an end to things pretty quickly, said our goodbyes and on we went. Flew to Hanoi with Laos Airlines, found out afterwards about their terrible safety record and how some countries had blacklisted them... Hmm. Anyway we made it alive. Hanoi is cool, really does have a touch of the wild west to it, motorbikes everywhere, a bit crazy, crossing the road is an experience, like walking across a stream while trying to stay dry!! Slowly does it and remember cars and buses will not go around you.... Amazing shopping, I've become a shopaholic, lucky Is :-) and the place is just so friendly and relaxed. Love it! Had a couple of monsoon days and boy does it bucket down, like a vertical river everywhere! Got my poncho as per local style so I'm now practically Vietnamese. Met a few people, saw a few sights and booked a tour for Sapa, a place in the northern hills with rice paddies and hilltribes and stuff. Will tell you about it later. Chat soon and when I get to a cafe at the weekend I'll upload some photos, or later if I can get them on CD. Ciao.