Vietnam

9/4/11 continued…

I think we may move into singapore airport. It is an oasis of calm where everything works, is clean and ordered. There is even a free area called sanctuary replete with loungers, trickling water and automatic foot massage. We can only imagine what the paid for upper class lounges were like. We settled down for a rest in the sanctuary whilst we waited for the next flight and it was during this time I began to wonder if it was possible to organize the next transit though singapore to take 24 hours. Free accommodation in a clean environment…

Our relaxation was ended by the need to get on the next flight. Despite having already had one flight where everything was free we were again excited to have more free food and drink but the freeness nearly pushed James suspicious mind over the edge. He could cope with the free wine, food and nuts but was sure the staff where out to tick him when they gave out packs of cards. As such he declined the cards and then studies the other passengers to see if they were paying- they were not. Upon realizing this James began to squirm with excitement and attract the attention of the flight attended who only had one pack of cards remaining. James luck was in and he got the last pack- oh for anything free.

We arrived in Vietnam and our bags had made it as well. James had organized an airport pick up and we set off to Hanoi. I observed that the roads were less congested and better maintained giving the illusion of more order then India. There was still horn blowing aplenty and the odd cow but it felt calmer and safer. This illusion was short lived as it became apparent that the horn was used more in anger than India and our driver was to shake his fist at a moped rider who he nearly knocked off and later we saw a car knock over a moped… it would never happen at singapore airport!

After checking in James dispatched me to ring the chiropractor as his back needed attention after the 15 hour train ride, 4 days in bed and two flights. Amazingly I got an appointment for the same day and we set off in a taxi. Now being weary of taxis we got in and asked for the meter to be put on. To our amazement he said the meter was automatic and the drive took us directly to where we wanted to go.

I am not sure I am cut out to be a millionaire. Its far too much hard work trying to work out all the zeros. I am in a constant sate of anxiety when paying in Vietnam as the exchange rate is 35,000 dong to the pound. I take money out of the ATM in denominations of 1,000,000 (1 million for those of us who don’t like zeros) and every time I buy things its around 200,000 which is 6gbp. Somehow it feels like there are more opportunities to scanked when in fact the amounts involved are still low.

The joys of skype contacted us with Carol and Emma and what’s more we have downloaded SKYPE onto James Ipod and accessed it via WiFi in our room. Far nicer to see people when we talk to them and even better its free!

We headed out for dinner in search of Vietnamese food. We failed and had pizza and wine. Bliss never the less. Upon arriving to the hotel there was music coming from somewhere. James was not impressed and after stuffing towels in windows we could still hear the noise. I slept easily but James lay there until 11.45 when the music stopped. Using James logic he sat there for 15 minutes straining to hear if there was in fact noise. Most of us would take the opportunity to get to sleep but not James. After 15 minutes he was satisfied that the music had indeed stopped and he rolled over and went to sleep.