Train from Hoi An to Hanoi

The overnight buses are super affordable and convenient, but they are typically pretty touristy and you miss most of the countryside. So I opted for the train for the journey from Hoi An to Hanoi. The crew (Marjolene, Stefan and Glen - see previous post) were also heading to Hanoi so I convinced them to take the train. Since there were 4 of us, we had our own sleeper in the "soft sleeper" compartment. Although this was first class, there were no other tourists in our car (or that we saw on the entire train). The first part of the train ride skirted the coast and we had great views of little fishing villages and rice paddies (in the picture posted, the sky is a bit foggy and you can't really tell where there ocean ends and the sky begins. Since being in Asia, I've become accustomed to hazy days and 30 foot visibility). We wasted the hours away drinking beer, playing cards and pacing the train car. At around 7pm we started to hear laughing/talking coming from the hallways so we went to investigate. Next thing we knew we were all pulled into a cabin and food, drink, vodka was shoved down our throats ... THIS is the real way to experience Vietnam. I tried all sorts of random meats wrapped in banana leaves, fish in cans, sweets. They were so generous with their food/drink and so happy we were there to drink with them. Check out the video of me trying something that resembled salted fish in red sauce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XK3RHfRdWM. It was awful ... and crunchy. As time went on, everyone from other cabins started joining in on the fun and and the party overflowed into the hallways. Most of the passengers were men and most of them couldn't speak English. We communicated through one guy who studied English while he was in Russia (um - don't ask) or through hand gestures. They all wanted to take pictures with us and for some odd reason they LOVE throwing up the peace sign. After 2 hours (and 2 forced vodka shots) we went back to our cabin for food service (some ridiculously delicoius rice soup with chicken that resembles congee) and then to bed. Highly recommend riding the train in Vietnam!