Thursday 28 July 2011

Back in Hanoi!!!!

Dear All

We have just made it back to Hanoi after saying goodbye to our project hosts, Kai the cutest child it the world, the cockrel that could not crow very well and sleeping on the floor! The project was a success and we completed the bridge on time and also levelled a road for the locals. They worked us hard, and the walk to the site and back to the homestays was tough but the end project saw us all pleased with our efforts.

On the last night, the locals put on a show for us, of which the whole village turned out for. We in turn were asked to put on some British culture. We sang the first verse of the national anthem (we did not know anymore) a bit from Sound of Music, Tom Sprinks led us in we will rock you and the girls danced a Hannah Montana classic "The ho down - throw down" Harry Carter has pictures of this which I am sure will cause great amusement to those back home. The evening was brilliant, with a disco afterwards (they only had three tracks which made a continual repeat for about 45 minutes) Good times!! We tried the local traditional drink and were greeted by the the leader of the village.

Rice has been our main food source and we look forward to eating something else. Just to warn parents, I think shopping lists of food will soon be coming your way, either facebooked, blogged or emailed and I am sure rice will not be on it.

Harry's toe is mended, the leeches however love his blood. Molly is fully recovered. Paddy has boots which are fully mended, Ben still has blisters, a decent beard and is still calling himself a lad. Paddy also had a haircut from a local for free (it's quite good)

We have also walked to the top of a waterfall, bathed in hot springs, been through caves, trekked through a river, walked through paddy fields, fallen down the odd mountain, bum shuffled down steep slopes, mopeded (Weeksey, Leah, Molly, Alice and Harry) through the countryside, and all heard Harry fart every night!!!!!!!!

We all look forward to the shower and comfy bed tonight. Sadly we are no longer off to Halong Bay tomorrow as a typhoon is approaching tonight and the boat trip company have cancelled it. We will explore Hanoi even more.

With love to all from a rather smelly set of travellers (but brilliant bridge builders!) xxxxxxxx

10 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    Hi to you all.

    Great to have up to date news of you and it sounds amazing. Glad you completed the project and it sounds as if the hospitality you received was fun - can't wait to see the pictures.
    Shame about the boat trip but I am sure you will explore elsewhere.
    Love to you all - you should all be so proud of yourselves for what you have accomplished.

    Alison Cunnington xxxxx

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  2. Welcome back intrepid explorers, it sounds amazing, how 'hanoing' that you can't enjoy Halong Bay, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the other experiences just as much. Congratulations on the project and it sounds like you've all had a brilliant adventure, well done all of you, we're all mighty proud of you, back here in the UK, enjoy the next part and can't wait for updates, you are ALL truly amazing - love and hugs The Carters xxxxx PS - didn't realise Harry could fart quite so regularly!

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  3. Roger NichollsJuly 28, 2011

    Welcome back bridge builders (in more ways than one by the sound of it), a job well done. We knew you could fix it!

    Love and respect

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  4. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    Hi everyone!

    WOW! Congratulations to you all on what sounds like a fantastically successful project. The whole experience sounds just amazing - what an adventure! Enjoy a comfy bed, a good nights rest ready to begin a new chapter to your travels in the morning!
    You are all amazing and we are very proud of you!
    Lots of love and hugs Sal, Phil & Ben Clarke xx

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  5. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    Well done all of you ! Sounds like you have had an amazing and very successful week, you must feel very proud. Enjoy your next week of exploring, looking forward to the photos.
    Lots of Love, Karen, Graham and Charlotte xxx

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  6. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    What a smashing time you all have had, great work all of you!
    So very proud Jack lots love to you and all the gang.
    Nan and Grandad Clarke xx
    PS lots choc's when you get back, a very big bar!!!!

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  7. Roger NichollsJuly 28, 2011

    Hello Vietnam, I guess that your song for the day has to be the Hanoi Rocks and their record "Back to Mystery City"!!! Keep on rocking (all over the world).

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  8. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    What a great achievement by you all to complete your hard trek and now the project, on time and on Budget!! Congratulations to you all. Can't wait for all the news and photos of your terrific adventure.Enjoy the delights of all that's to come on your next stage of a wonderful tour.
    Love to all Jacks Nannie & Gramps

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  9. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    Fantastic!! you should all be really proud of yourselves.Can't wait to see the photos and Paddy's hair and boots!!Enjoy the next phase and some home comforts.
    Paddy all those sessions at the Olde Tes Shoppe must seem so worth it now.You are of course amazing!!
    Loads of love Dad, Mum,Matt and Tia the mad dogxxxxx

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  10. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011

    Great to have you all back on the Blog - been missing the daily updates. Well done on the project, I can't wait to hear about the people you have met. Hope you have enjoyed a good shower and a comfortable bed off the ground. (Joe and Dad have been in hammocks this week on Scout Camp - I think they might smell worse than you!) Hope you have a fantastic rest of the trip - stay well and safe. Family Casebow (Well Mum!X)

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