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Published: December 31st 2007
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We've finally arrived on our Asia Tour 07!! Needless to say, in true Nick and Lizzie style, there has been a few dilemmas.. Well probably an average of 5 to 6 a day.. But we're managing!!
We should have guessed that it was going to be a rocky start when problems where developing even before we had left! Nick forgot his Cash Passport, which was supposed to carry all of his money during the trip.. So we went to the airport via STA Travel which certainly raised the pulses of a certain someone who was sweating and stressing that we weren't even going to make the flight.. Sorry Lizzie!!
The troubles continued, with Lizzie chowing down a Thai Salad (to get into the mood), with a large chomp and a loud crunch, she thought she had broken a tooth! Luckily this wasn't the case, although i would recommend avoiding the Thai Salads when in the airport region!
As often is the way, these troubles continued to follow poor Lizzie, as after some enthusiastic channel surfing on the in flight entertainment, her TV was broken.. Just after take off! This lead to a very restless Lizzie, and for those
who know, which i think is a fair majority of you, this is not a great thing!! Where are the heavy duty sleeping pills when you need them!!
The flight into Bangkok at night (and Ho Chi Minh the following night) was absolutely beautiful. The bright lights of the cities sprawling as far as the eye could see is a truly spectacular thing, as well as watching the thousands and thousands of lights speed across the roads.
Now I know Lizzie has received a fairly rough portrayal in this blog, however there is one more episode i would like to share. At the baggage collection carousel Lizzie picked up her bag, looked at it inquisitively as to whether or not it was hers. Nick responded quote unquote "Lizzie. There is NO WAY that someone on this flight would have the exact same bag as you." Amateur mistake. After walking all the way through customs (which in reality is two guys sitting on a chair in partial slumber) and out of the airport, Lizzie finally asks, "are you sure this is my bag?" Red faced, Nick turns them around and walks back through customs (something which i'm sure you
wouldnt see on Boarder Security!) Luckly Lizzie's bag was still on the carousel, so no harm done. But a lesson was learned. Don't listen to Nick.
Speaking of which, for anyone traveling to Bangkok in the near future, here are a few tips. Firstly, hire a Cab from the taxi rank out the front of the airport and use the meter. Secondly, expect a wild ride!
With signs along the road blaring and flashing 80, our driver we assumed averaged approximately 140kms, zig-zagging across the 6 lane motorway tooting as he passed fellow motorists, which at that speed is quite often! I read recently that "The Shu" recently swapped positions with his cab driver when running late to a flight, but i think if he had asked our driver, he would have looked at him in disgust and shown him a thing or two! Our favourite move was on the exit ramp from the motorway. Accelerating onto the exit ramp (yes accelerating, on an exit ramp.. as if he wasn't going fast enough on the freeway!) he continued on his course, which was dodging in and out between cars. On the bend of the off ramp, he suddenly ducked
under the dashboard, reaching across to the passenger side and fixed a squeaking air vent, popped back up, adjusted the wheel and kept motoring on. A true 10 out of 10 performance!!
Although it was a short stay in Bangkok, it was very enjoyable. The food was delicious and such a vibrant place, even though it was apparently dead quite because of a four day holiday over New Years. Looking forward to going back and hitting the Weekend Market, with over 25,000 stalls i'm sure someone will rip us off!
We are currently in Ho Chi Minh, which is fantastic!! The roads are the most hectic thing i have ever experienced, and our nerves were thoroughly tested in the first 30 minutes of arriving, having to cross one of the busiest roads in the city to find accomodation. It was certainly a case of close you eyes and hope for the best!! We quickly found out that there were very little rooms left in the whole city due to New Year, so luckily we ran into an American couple who were on our plane from bangkok and we all went on the hunt together, finally finding a place down a little alley way just off the main drag.
We have the day free today to explore before we start the tour tomorrow, hopefully not too worse for wear after a big New Years Eve!!
Missing you all. Have a great New Year and be in touch soon,
All our love,
Nick and Lizzie xo
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Louise
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Excellent blog
Hey Nick and Lizzie, Very entertaining first installment. Did it cross your mind Nick, to offer Lizzie your seat so she could watch a movie. Not surprised she got fidgetty. Have a great time in Vietnam, have a look at the tunnels if you get a chance. Love Mum