Hanoi Part 1 (Liza)

We stayed with a lovely guy called Mike and his family in their house in Hanoi. This is part of a home stay scheme called airbnb. They made us feel very welcome, the room was great and they sorted out useful things like Vietnamese Sims (unfortunately not as easy as it sounds). Our review:-

• Andy and Liza are a wonderful, friendly and hilarious English couple. They got to my home after a very long trip on train in the early morning, but the tireness can't stop the smile on their face. You will feel it that way when you are lucky to be hosted by them. I highly recommend this couple !!

Don't worry Mum, aliens have not abducted me and replaced me on earth with a more jolly replica, he probably just got us mixed up with another couple.

He also introduced us to the couch sharing fraternity in Hanoi. This is another scheme where you register to lend a couch or borrow one but also seems to act as a social group for expats, travelers and Vietnamese wanting to learn English. We had a great evening of yummy food and cheap beer (18p a pint) with them and also met Phuong whom acted as our guide for the day and took us to see the old university called the Temple of Literature.

She is a student and was wanting to practice her English. As a guide she was fabulous explaining the sites and answering all our questions, as someone who knew where they were going not so great. Andy had to get the map out in the end, as we got a bit lost and then proceeded to give the poor girl a map reading lesson. We saw loads of interesting things on route, like the street which had 9 shops which just sold mincers (machines for mincing meat), so it didn't matter at all and was probably the more interesting for it.

She also took us to a fabulous market for a drink. We got to a stall which had lots of food like looking things on it and not drink like looking things at all and ordered for us. Lots of bits and pieces from each food like bowl were put into a glass along with some liquid. We asked what was in and was told that amongst other things it had coconut, beans, corn and rice made into gluttonous sweet balls. It was delicious, really really delicious and probably a once in a lifetime experience because I would not have any clue how to ask for it again.

Oh yeah and the rest of the food we have had here as been as wonderful as I remember.