So I have been a busy bee the past week. I successfully caught my bus overnight up to Nha Trang, a really posh one with proper bunk beds and movies.
Nha Trang is a little seaside resort with average beaches, average diving and average night life, so I didnt stay too long, just 2 days. On the 2nd day I met a local guy who offered to take me into the south central highlands on motorbikes for 3 days. It seemed a bit of a gamble given that I hadnt met him before, hadnt ridden a bike before and didnt know anything about where we were going....but having just finished Ewan Mcgregors book about riding round the world on a motorbike I felt inspired to just go for it.
It was a fantastic trip, one of the bext things I have done. We left all the tourists behind and went driving through stunning mountians and villages, taking in lots of the different ways of life, and sampling the best food I have had all holiday. Just 50p bought you a feast for a king with a few beers to boot! The 1st evening he offered to buy me a bottle of rice wine with dinner (at 10p a bottle it was hard to say no to!), and we tucked into that as he introduced me to some of his friends. The 2nd day was much the same, but started with a visit to some authentic hill tribes which is family originated from, which we had to get to by elephant (!!), and some visits to the local silk worm factory, coffee plantations, waterfalls, temples etc etc. It was nice to visit some of the lesser visited places, as the locals are much more friendly and arent trying to see you stuff all the time!
After this trip I took another night bus (this one was more eventful as the driver attacked a passenger with a crow bar and had to be carted off to the police station!!), and arrived in Hoi An. The town is really really pretty, and is shopping heaven. The town is full of tailors who will make you anything, so I have got 2 dresses, a suit, skirt, shirt and 2 pairs of jeans to bring back with me....
I didnt have time to finish the north of Vietnam (and it is cold), so I left today to fly back to thailand for my last 10 days of sun....starting with a 3 day liveaboard dive trip....4 dives a day, I cant wait!!!
Monday 16 March 2009
Saturday 7 March 2009
Swimming in saigon
Well I made it to Saigon, and its been an interesting few days. I am back to being alone, but I have met a few people so spend my evenings with. Its so stupidly hot here, with 90% humidity, you cannot step outside the hotel without a full on melt down and losing 3 pints of sweat. Its lovely!
I spent the 1st day wondering round the markets, parks and museums. Its a crazy city where the traffic is unbelievable, crossing the road is not for the faint hearted. You just have to step out and the hundreds of motorbikes just swerve round you. I dont think it is something I would ever get used to. I just run along behind the vietnamese people!!
That evening I met a guy who went by the name of 'Intrigue'. He was from London, ironically he was not that Intriguing, but we did enjoy a few beers and it was nice to be back in the company of english people just for 1 night.
On the 2nd day I visited Cu Chi tunnels, where the Viet Cong hid undergorund while fighting the Yanks. Pretty amazing really, but easy to understand why they won now, they just outsmarted them (not too difficult). The tunnels are so small only the vietnamese can fit. I managed to make it through 130m of tunnel, but they are dark and small. I got my arse stuck a few times. Time to start the diet I think!!
The following day I took a trip down the mekong river, it was OK but too many stops for tacky souveniers for my liking. I did meet 2 nice swiss girls though, who I will keep in touch with.
Today has been crazy. I went off to see Kevin who I met in the Philippines and got caught in a downpour. Its unlike any other rain I have seen. Within 2 hours of rain, the water was nearly waist height in the streets, the city seemed to carry on regardless though. The motorbikes either powered through or got off and pushed their way. My taxi dropped me where it could go no further, so I had to get out and swim/wade bak to the hotel!! Once I got back I realised I hadnt eaten and I would have to go back out to a cafe for something to eat, then I swam over here to catch up on some email.
I am not too sure how I will leave later as I am catching the night bus up to Nha Trang, and getting my backpack through the river will be an experience. I think it will have to go on top of the head somehow!! Maybe I will find a nice vietnamese chap to help.
Better go, I need to dry my clothes and get my bikini on before I get the bus out.
Hayleyxxxx
I spent the 1st day wondering round the markets, parks and museums. Its a crazy city where the traffic is unbelievable, crossing the road is not for the faint hearted. You just have to step out and the hundreds of motorbikes just swerve round you. I dont think it is something I would ever get used to. I just run along behind the vietnamese people!!
That evening I met a guy who went by the name of 'Intrigue'. He was from London, ironically he was not that Intriguing, but we did enjoy a few beers and it was nice to be back in the company of english people just for 1 night.
On the 2nd day I visited Cu Chi tunnels, where the Viet Cong hid undergorund while fighting the Yanks. Pretty amazing really, but easy to understand why they won now, they just outsmarted them (not too difficult). The tunnels are so small only the vietnamese can fit. I managed to make it through 130m of tunnel, but they are dark and small. I got my arse stuck a few times. Time to start the diet I think!!
The following day I took a trip down the mekong river, it was OK but too many stops for tacky souveniers for my liking. I did meet 2 nice swiss girls though, who I will keep in touch with.
Today has been crazy. I went off to see Kevin who I met in the Philippines and got caught in a downpour. Its unlike any other rain I have seen. Within 2 hours of rain, the water was nearly waist height in the streets, the city seemed to carry on regardless though. The motorbikes either powered through or got off and pushed their way. My taxi dropped me where it could go no further, so I had to get out and swim/wade bak to the hotel!! Once I got back I realised I hadnt eaten and I would have to go back out to a cafe for something to eat, then I swam over here to catch up on some email.
I am not too sure how I will leave later as I am catching the night bus up to Nha Trang, and getting my backpack through the river will be an experience. I think it will have to go on top of the head somehow!! Maybe I will find a nice vietnamese chap to help.
Better go, I need to dry my clothes and get my bikini on before I get the bus out.
Hayleyxxxx
Monday 2 March 2009
Coming home for christmas
Well OK I missed christmas, but I have to come back at some point so I have finally caved in and booked my flight back.
The bad news (for me) is that it is only 23 days away (26th March), the good news is that I had enough air miles to get myself booked on a first class seat with Thai air....you win some....you lose some!
So if anyone wants to welcome me with open arms and pick me up from the airport with some warm jumpers and a flask of tetley then I arrive at Heathrow 7.35pm on Thursday 26th March.
I plan to be in London for a couple of days before jet setting over to Geneva to find myself somewhere to live! I think a welcome home party is in order! Thinking caps on....
I fly to Vietnam tomorrow, so tonight we are drinking chang beer, eating plenty of pad thai and having a massage! Having said that I may be back in Thailand tomorrow if I get deported at the vietnamese border for not having made the appropriate visa application. Fingers crossed I will be able to blag my way in.
Laters
Hayley
xxx
The bad news (for me) is that it is only 23 days away (26th March), the good news is that I had enough air miles to get myself booked on a first class seat with Thai air....you win some....you lose some!
So if anyone wants to welcome me with open arms and pick me up from the airport with some warm jumpers and a flask of tetley then I arrive at Heathrow 7.35pm on Thursday 26th March.
I plan to be in London for a couple of days before jet setting over to Geneva to find myself somewhere to live! I think a welcome home party is in order! Thinking caps on....
I fly to Vietnam tomorrow, so tonight we are drinking chang beer, eating plenty of pad thai and having a massage! Having said that I may be back in Thailand tomorrow if I get deported at the vietnamese border for not having made the appropriate visa application. Fingers crossed I will be able to blag my way in.
Laters
Hayley
xxx
Saturday 28 February 2009
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