WOW! I would not recommend spending 14 hours on a train from Ninh Binh to Danang to anyone. Just don't do it! We did, and being sat upright for the entire journey, poked by peoples toes, crashed into by buffet carts and eaten alive by creatures isn't a nice experience. They at least say moments like these make you stronger and shape you as a person. All I know is we survived but god knows how!
As if risks stopped there, half asleep from our epic journey we decided to take the dodgiest looking taxi ever for our short trip to Hoi An. It was at least cheap if not illegal. Once we arrived we immediatley fell in love, I mean what a great place. Arriving into the blistering lunchtime heat we found a brilliant cheap hotel to stay that included both a pool and free breakfast. Meeting up with our friends Lara & Victoria, it was nice to have friendly faces available again to share our time here. Visiting the market at least twice a day in an attempt to find bargains, we purchased many presents for friends and family, alongside a few tailored delicassies for ourselves. One thing we didn't buy however was the somewhat glaring animal like meat presence that can be seen amongst our photos. Not sure if it was dead or alive we declined to stay a minute longer, heading directly out of the packed enclosure.
The weather here was fine, apart from scattered showers and 1 massive downpour, although most days hit mid 30's. With traditional Cao Lao Noodles and a very good chocolate milkshake often being our dietry requirements, we were not often short of food here either. Only time will tell if our attempted post will arrive back in england, but whatever happens our great time here will at least compensate for the 3 month wait to find out.
After our last experience of traveling through Vietnam, we decided that bus would be a more suitable mode of transport rather than train. This time we were not disappointed. Anyone who says sleeper buses in SE Asia are bad are either lying or just bad sleepers, I meamn even Jo managed to get a good nights sleep on one. Not sure what to expect from Nha Trang we arrived at a painful 6am, quickly checking in to a hostel from LP (Lonely Planet) and a few extra hours kip. With not too much culture or apparent sights to see in this touristy beach trap, the only thing on offer was to get drunk and hit the sands. Begrudgingly we decided upon doing exactly that!
Our two lazy days here were spent either playing pool, drinking huge buckets of cocktails with our 2 auzzie & 2 norwegian friends (mental people), chilling out on the beach or enjoying a much hyped overcrowded street festival. Thinking back, this was mainly crammed into pretty much one day as the hangover from the big night out kind of wiped us out for our 2nd day, thus being labelled by Jo as 'the hangover from hell' and possibly the worst ever partaken.
Slightly disappointed with what it had to offer here apart from the above, we departed for a few cheap nights in neighbouring Dalat - a quieter and cooler climated area of the country with many beautiful landscapees and adventures to be had. It was here where we really experienced the meaning of the easy rider!
Staying in a couple of dodgy establishments (one place wrongly named the 'peace' hotel for apparent reasons) and eating some varying qualities of cheap food, the words on everyones lips were, "You want motorbike? we are Vietnam Easy Rider". With no referance to be rude, but I mean Jesus, we didn't want to go the first time of asking let alone the last! Needless to say it became like the constant ringing in your ear, you know that really annoying one!
Already suffering from an ever increasing ear infection, we decide to take it a bit easier here, slowing the daily pace down and walking round yet more markets and waterfalls, but also enjoying the amazing structure that is the Crazy House.
Being attacked by a series of scruffy dogs and the lack of hot weather was beginning to take its toll, therefore after spending 4 nights here we felt obliged to head for HCMC, also known as Saigon.
Upon arrival in the Vietnamese capital, (better known for where Jeremy Clarkson started his adventure in the recent Top Gear documentary), we were pounced on by locals, similar to that of flies around shit. If that was not bad enough, the constant flow of grid locked traffic filled the streets(and pavements) making it almost impossible to manouver our way to a hotel. Once settled in our amazing new home just off the main strip with all the necessary ammentities and even a free roof terrace breakfast, we again felt prepared for what lie ahead.
Amongst our usual list of sightseeing attractions we managed to visit the very informative and educational War Remnents Museum & Reunification Palace, alongside other treats such as endless Pagodas & Temples, narrow cobbled markets, an old post office & Notre Damn Cathedral. Cultural I know, where is the fun you may ask? Well in conjunction to this our time was filled with lashings of cheap booze (30p for 2 beers), some tasty arse mexican and viuetnamese food, amazing cinematic experiences, nights out with our auzzie mates and best of all THE frozen Snickers Milkshake! Now that is stuff dreams are made of!
The Mekong. For our last few days in HCMC we booked a 2 day trip along the Mekong Delta. Set within amazing floating villages and hosting possibly the greatest floating market, this tranquil surrounding created a crazy insight into life here coupled with the enigmatic flavours of coconut candy and peanut popcorn. Searching through My Tho, Can Tho, Cai be & Vinh Long our incredible boat adventure was a great way to end what was an amazing three weeks in Nam.
With the greens so green, blues so blue and well everything dreams are made of, we would definitly highly recommend it to anyone, yet Ant I fear for you on two wheels, as we had more than enough trouble in four!
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