The pondering of whether to leap into this canyon and then spend the day get out at the other end. We did. Near Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam.

Vicki abseilling. Apparently. She may try and tell you that she is practising the art of standing back up on the rope should a fall occur, before doing it for real in a waterfall. Near Dalat, Vietnam.

Matt, abseilling the damp way. We both negotiated this waterfall without dieing, which now appears a little fortuitous.

Around Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam.

Stage 3. Taking a swim after our trek near Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam.

Too many fried noodles for Matt. Near Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam.

Our campsite overnight around Dalat. A tent flysheet was cunningly erected within this open stilted shelter for our comfort. A fine spot.

Our guide kindly bbqing venison for dins.

Our campsite area near Dalat.

Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam. From our guesthouse balcony. Up in the hills Dalat was a cooling break from the steam of Saigon. Fleeces in the evening required, the first time they've been unpacked since central East Timor.

Around Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam.

We undertook a two day excursion into the countryside around Dalat, involving a triathlon of a 18km cycle, a 5 hour walk and a swim in the lake at the end. An overnight camp would be followed by a day of canyoning. Things got off to an unpromising start with an early puncture. Still, getting a ride in a military jeep around Vietnam had a certain alure.

Stage two. Trekking, around Dalat, central Vietnam.

Platoon style through the jungle, near Dalat, central highlands, Vietnam.

Hoi An, central Vietnam.

My Son temple complex, near Hoi An, central Vietnam. Built by the Cham folk many hundred of years ago this complex is now seriously showing its age. The Cham's briefly took over Angkor Wat in present day Cambodia, which is perhaps understandable when one sees their accomodations here. Nice weather mind.

En route from Danang to Hanoi, Vietnam. It appeared that the train had arrived on the wrong track for the platform. Nobody seemed to notice.

Gandalf practising the Vietnamese lingo on unsuspecting locals, en route to Hanoi.

The old bamboo, the old bamboo. The old quarter of Hanoi, northern Vietnam

Riverside, Hoi An, central Vietnam.

We bought a painting, rolled up in that tube, from this cheerful fellow. He himself was the artist. Hoi An, central Vietnam.

Getting paddled around the river, Hoi An, central Vietnam. This 24 year old was full of relationship advice throughout our ride though she herself was not married. She learnt English from her little book of 'English Tenses' in between searching for river snails for her young neice. Passes the time.

The interior of our fabulous digs in Hoi An, central Vietnam. We bagged a room in a great old traditional house and spent the next three days being pleased with ourselves.

The view of the market, Hoi An, central Vietnam, from our guesthouse window. Top spot for people watching, if a little noisy at 5am.

Our guesthouse, Hoi An, central Vietnam. Our room was up top at the front here. The house is at least several hundred years old. The flowers have lasted well. We stayed in Hoi An for three brilliant days, wandering around the old town in scorchio sunshine. The place has a lot of history. It also has copious cold beers for next to nothing by the river.

Steets around Hoi An, central Vietnam. Very quiet in the middle of the day when only foolish Brits wander about.

This girl entertained us with by dancing and blowing kisses on the ferry

Eating street food on the smallest chairs in Vietnam

The Vinh Long food court, good spring rolls here

Matt getting his hair cut by a street barber

We ate snake and drank its blood

Drinking snake blood made Vicki turn into her sister for some reason

Not sure this helmet would have provided much protection but it made Matt look very fetching

Enroute to Tra Vinh by motorbike

Coversing with the locals using sign language on the ferry to Tra Vinh

On the ferry from Mytho to Ben Tre, Mekong Delta, South Vietnam

Cruising around the Mekong Delta in Ben Tre, south Vietnam

We had a few boat problems, repairs were instigated

The next day we explored Ben Tre by bike. Matt found this propaganda poster interesting

Sunset over the Mekong Delta in Ben Tre

Vicki teaching English to 6-12 year olds

Matt also gave it a go minus microphone

Afterwards we drank beer for 11p a litre

Inside the Cai Dai temple between Saigon and Cambodia

The Cu Chi tunnels used by the Communist resistence in the Vietnam War