So... we are still not quite in Vietnam! We managed to get train tickets to Hanoi but, at the border crossing leaving China, it turned out our boats weren't on the same train as us and they wouldn't be allowed to cross the border!

A couple of us headed into the city to find some cheap accomodation whilst we waited for the boats to turn up the next day. Some good fortune lead us to a hotel charging under 10 pounds per room in the border city of Guangyue that only opened 2 days ago. Being the first British group staying we also seemed to get some discount and superb hospitality.

That next day came, along with our boats, but no luck with getting us and them across the border. Stu H's incredible international communication skills saved the day when he met Michelle, another resident of the hotel just returning from Vietnam.  Looking to improve her English she helped us out massively to negotiate with the Chinese train staff and the hotel staff who managed to arrange boat accomodation for the night at no extra charge and book us a bus tommorow to cross the border!

Vietnam tommorow! (Please)

Eoghain's cunning plan to ditch the rest of the group with his kit, return to Hong Kong, get arrested then continue to Hanoi on his own worked very well. He is there now!

Here is a detailed breakdown of our travels so far...