As the day began, reality started to kick in – we have only five days left of our Big Experience which is very exciting for some, but for most is quite sad. Today was the train journey to the last city on our trip, Hanoi. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the main city of the North.
We started the day with a boat ride to a pagoda. This pagoda was home to a lot of orphans who were raised to be monks; however, on their 18th birthday each of them will be given the opportunity to become a full monk or leave. When we got back to the hotel we checked out at around 12pm. From the hotel we had a short bus ride to the station for a 13 hour train trip to Hanoi. On the train we are in small but cosy cabins with 4 beds and a small table which we have been using for card games like President and Cheat.
The train journey has given us a lot of time to think and reflect on the trip that has been. Family, friends and even little things like our phones and iPads have all been on our minds and as the trip comes to an end and we approach Hanoi, it feels like we are closer and closer to arriving back at the South Road gates.
Tom Wilson
