Asia

I woke Dan up at 2am saying we had to go. I was sleep talking again and Dan couldn't sleep properly. We got up around 6.30am and got ready. We said bye to Damelza and set off for the train station. We walked with our backpacks but they weren't too heavy. We were a bit early for the train but it was easy to get the train to Southern Cross and then the sky bus to the airport. The queue for check in was nearly out the door. While I queued up Dan went to change our Aussie Dollars for American Dollars. The queue took ages but we got ok seats next to each other and Dan got his window seat.

We eventually boarded the plane and were gutted to see that we didn't have the individual TVs like we hoped. We sat next to a really nice New Zealand lady who works as a teacher in Vietnam. We slept a little while we were waiting to take off and then tried to watch The Informant film on the main TV. My sound wasn't working and the stewerdesses did nothing to try and sort it out. We then had a meal and had no choice. I wasn't happy at all. I found the service on Vietnam Airlines very slow and wouldn't fly with them again if I had the choice. The food was nice though, both meals had rice, something we'll have to get used to.

8 hours later we landed in Ho Chi Minh. We had to transfer from International to Domestic which was a bit of an effort. It was made easier by being given a purple sticker so the staff new to look out for us. We had to go through immigration and get our passport and visas stamped. Dan picked up our baggage and we moved it to be taken to the new plane. We got given our new boarding passes. We then sat on a bus for 10 minutes just for it to drive us round the car park and into the building next door. We waited about 30 minutes and then boarded the new plane. To rub it in this plane had the individual TVs but they weren't turned on. We thought we were going to have a spare seat next to us but at the very last minute it was filled, I think she was part of the cabin crew.

I slept most of the 2 hour flight as the time difference was kicking in. We'd gone back 4 hours so it was really midnight for us. We ate again on the plane, noodles this time though. We got off and it was mad. 5 planes had come in at once and they only had 2 baggae belts. Dan grabbed our bags through the crowds and we went to find our transfer. We had a private car which was good as the taxis were an hour wait. I'm glad we booked it in advance as we still had a 40 minute journey to the hotel.

We checked in. Our room is lovely. We have cable TV and free internet connection. Dan spoke to his family, including his grandad which was good. I am very tired and am glad we have the whole of tomorrow to sort ourselves out before having a meeting for the tour at 6pm.