When to be at the airport?

As above but I prefer the Premier Inn North at Gatwick. It may be a little more expensive than the Travelodge but you can walk directly to the terminal. My record is getting from bed, through security (hand luggage only) and sitting with a beer at the airside Wetherspoons in under 10 minutes.

Very early morning we can get to Manchester airport in three quarters of an hour. You can double that at rush hour.

However, on one occasion, we were leaving the car at DD's house and had just past the airport turn off whenwe hit a traffic jam, caused by an accident.

We sat there for 20 minutes. Thank goodness OH always want to allow loads of time.

bylromarha wrote: »

How did you find Vietnam?

Fantastic!

Started with a 3 night stopover in Hong Kong. Very interesting city and I place I've always wanted to go but I don't think I'll be in a rush to return. In some ways it's more expensive than London.

Flew down to Hoi An. On arrival, my first reaction was "this place is boring!" but I soon adjusted to the pace of the town and it was great to spend a few days just wandering around, eating lots of spring rolls, watching the world go by and enjoying the 15 pence beers.

Flew up to Hanoi (no way was I going to spend 21 hours on a bus) and after the tranquillity of Hoi An, it was chaos. Got very lost on my first night in the maze of streets in the Old Quarter and ripped off by a taxi driver (for the only time on my trip) who ended up only taking me 3 streets. However, by the next day I had got my bearings and was able to explore properly. It's still a very easy city to get lost in and crossing the road in a life-and-death experience.

I then did a 2 day cruise to Halong Bay. As a solo traveller I'm always a bit wary about these trips as half the fun is dependant on the group you end up with but we had a great set of people from all over the world all around my age - so no teenagers wanting to party all night.

I'll certainly be going back to Vietnam in the next few years to do the south of the country. I usually go to Thailand but I just fancied a change this year and I'm pleased I did. It's certainly cheaper than Thailand (I spent more money in 3 days in HK than 10 days in Vietnam), very friendly people and not as commercialised.

It's just a shame I only had 2 weeks for the trip but I had to be back at work this week to earn some more money for my next expedition.

Doshwaster wrote: »

Fantastic!

Started with a 3 night stopover in Hong Kong. Very interesting city and I place I've always wanted to go but I don't think I'll be in a rush to return. In some ways it's more expensive than London.

Flew down to Hoi An. On arrival, my first reaction was "this place is boring!" but I soon adjusted to the pace of the town and it was great to spend a few days just wandering around, eating lots of spring rolls, watching the world go by and enjoying the 15 pence beers.

Flew up to Hanoi (no way was I going to spend 21 hours on a bus) and after the tranquillity of Hoi An, it was chaos. Got very lost on my first night in the maze of streets in the Old Quarter and ripped off by a taxi driver (for the only time on my trip) who ended up only taking me 3 streets. However, by the next day I had got my bearings and was able to explore properly. It's still a very easy city to get lost in and crossing the road in a life-and-death experience.

I then did a 2 day cruise to Halong Bay. As a solo traveller I'm always a bit wary about these trips as half the fun is dependant on the group you end up with but we had a great set of people from all over the world all around my age - so no teenagers wanting to party all night.

I'll certainly be going back to Vietnam in the next few years to do the south of the country. I usually go to Thailand but I just fancied a change this year and I'm pleased I did. It's certainly cheaper than Thailand (I spent more money in 3 days in HK than 10 days in Vietnam), very friendly people and not as commercialised.

It's just a shame I only had 2 weeks for the trip but I had to be back at work this week to earn some more money for my next expedition.

I loved HK when we went, but it is so pricey!

Loved Hoi An too, hated Hanoi (but think I'd had enough of Vietnam by then...)

Halong Bay was my trip highlight. So beautiful and serene. Glad you had a good time.

Still prefer Cambodia...;) I found Vietnam too touristy and commercialised for my liking. Can see Cambodia going that way in the next 5 years TBH.