Good Evening Vietnam

I've made it to Vietnam after a none too painful journey.
After an last early morning cycle in Yangshuo (photos already posted) I set off for Nanning. My first impressions of Nanning as we drove through the suberbs were of a typical developing-world city dirty, smog-ridden, full of light industry. But when I went for an explore in the centre it couldn't have been more different. It felt just like Tokyo - neon everywhere, crowds of fashionably dressed young couples shopping in designer boutiques, McDonalds on every corner.

There was even a WalMart! Looking around the Walmart was a surreal experience: the layout and decor were identical to its American siblings, yet the products on sale were all China. For instance the food section had large tanks of live produce: fish, shrimps, eels, even baby turtles. All destined for the pot, I fear, not the aquarium.

There was more live produce on display at the food market, where you could pick your live sparrow or dove - whether to eat there and then or to take home I wasn't sure. There was also dog on display. They looked just liked the ducks you see hanging in Chinese restaurants in London - all smooth and contorted - but definitely dog. It was almost enough to drive me to McDonalds!

The next day I took the train to the vietnam border. There I hit lucky and met a young vietnamese couple heading back home to Hanoi after their honeymoon in China. We shared a car from the border to the capital where they invited me to meet their family and see their wedding photos - a friendly introduction to Vietnam.

Hanoi is just extraordinary - too overwhelming for me to attempt to describe now. That'll have to wait for my next blog.

In the meantime here are some highlights from the journey:
Best chinglish - "No occupying while stabling" (on the train toilet door)
Best border scam - The 2000 dong medical examination fee you have to pay (needless to say there is no examination)
Strangest import restriction - "No children's toys having negative effects on personality" (from the customs form)
Top Vietnamese Travel Sickness tip - Stick bits of satsuma peel up your nose and let the citrus smells sooth your stomach.