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Published: February 8th 2008
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Hoi An Ferry
The Woolwich Ferry was never like this! (Lynda) When we last left you we'd just finished a shopping spree in Hoi An, I was loving it. All that changed the next day when I had to have about 12 fittings, I got really fed up and am going to stick to Primark from now on! Most of the stuff we ordered was great but a couple of things just weren't what we ordered. No fuss though when we said we didn't want it.
We decided that we really ought to send some stuff home so asked reception to call us a cab to the Post Office - guess what the Post Office came to us. We were sitting in the reception with 3 Post Office staff making up boxes and loading our stuff, writing receipts etc. They even brought scales - our box weighed 18k and cost us 30 quid to send home - what a service!!
Made our flight again - we're getting good at this, and hey presto - we were in Hanoi. Went to an hotel that was recommended to us as we were worried about Tet and there being no vacancies. It was OK but not very helpful, we ended up going
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Could'nt get a picture of the old chap as no photos allowed inside to another hotel down the road to do all our bookings. It's bloody freezing, needed all our fleeces and coats etc.
We booked two tours one for each day (only there 2 days). First day we did a city tour which took in all the attractions of Hanoi, and the next day went to HaLong Bay which is a series of mostly uninhabited islands for a boat trip around the islands.
During the city tour we visited a couple more pagodas and temples (the difference is that temples are dedicated to one person and pagodas more than one. Went to see Ho Chi Minh in his Mausoleum and the palace, also his house on stilts and the one pillar pagoda. In the afternoon went to another prison, not so gruesome as the others we've seen but still wouldn't want to be in it. Had a good crowd and went for a drink with them afterwards. We had a good day and another early start tomorrow.
(Tina)Picked up from hotel at 7.45 then after ages picking up lots of other people (19 in total) started our long journey to Ha Long Bay. A bit of a hairy trip
One Pillar Pagoda
Legend has it that a couple who wanted a baby dreamt of this so he built it and they had a baby. Ahhh to say the least, driving in Vietnam is an art form and so different from what we know, you cannot drive here without using your hooter at least every other second. Stopped at the obligatory gift shop en route and arrived at our destination around 11.30. Herded straight onto a boat, via a proper dodgy gangplank, yikes!!
Made it and then set sail to look around a cave that was only discovered in 1993 and opened to the public in 1995, does have a name but for the life of me can't remember it, sorry. How amazing was this place, it is one of the natural wonders of the world (Ha Long Bay) and it surely is a wonder, its hard to describe how stunning this place was, lots of photos so we will bore you with them all when we return but two here just to give you a taster. Back on board we set sail again and was served a very nice lunch of tofu and fish, yummy? There are hundreds of little uninhabited islands and the whole place is very mystical and almost eerie but absolutely beautiful. At 4pm herded back on bus for return journey
Ho Chi Minh
Here he is! Obviously not the real thing - he's in the mausoleum. and back in hotel for about 6.30.
That evening was Lunar New Year so we had a walk down to the lake where there were due to be fireworks at midnight. We went about 10pm and couldn't believe the amount of people on the streets. Thought we might be able to get something to eat and a drink while waiting for 12am but no chance, all restaurants and bars were shut apart from one in a funfair. After a beer and a plate of chips we decided to walk back to the hotel.
The staff were cracking open some wine and beer and invited us to join them. After a very nice cup of red wine we turned in for the night as we were on the move again in the morning.
We had a cab booked for 11.30 and although we did (or rather I did) cock up timings a little bit we made flight to Bangkok ok, albeit with a bit of excess baggage to pay, good job we off-loaded 18 kilos else we would be coming home early!!!
Four hours in Bangkok airport waiting for our connecting flight to Samui but the nice
Another Temple
But a very nice temple! people at Bangkok airlines invited us into their private lounge so it was ok. Arrived here in the dark but it was still so warm and a charming little airport. Intended to get a taxi to our hotel but they had a mini-van and for half the price it takes you direct to your hotel, really good service.
(Lynda) Its about 9 at night and we've been out all day sussing out other hotels. The one we're in is lovely but not in a very good location. We were looking for a "beach hut" type accommodation but everything here is either out of our price range or fully booked. We're also having trouble finding somewhere in Singapore so in future we're not going to listen to the people that say "just turn up you'll find something". Eventually found another hotel called Carpe Diem it's in Fishermans Village in Bo Phut another resort in Koh Samui - seems a little less hectic there than it is here in Chaweng.
There's heaps to do here, I don't know where to start. Going to go diving, also a few day trips; a sea safari by speed boat, kyaking, canoeing, snorkeling
Deserved Drink
With our new friends. and visiting some islands and another called canopy adventures where there's a rainforest tour on cables (zip wires) through the forest. Sounds cool, I can't wait.
Anyway let you know all about it in the next blog. Apologies for delay in this blog, but we've just been so busy. Will try and do better Paul!!
Lots of love from both of us. Lynda and Tina xxxx
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Dazzle
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Ransom
Oh, there you are. I thought you'd both been kidnapped! got what looked like a ransom demand in the post the other day so got really worried, but then thought it was a bit too steep... turned out it was my mobile phone bill. Glad to hear you're starting to see some of the natural wonders over there, must be getting a bit tired of Pagodas and Temples. Make sure you let me know what the divings like. Are you going to partake in a bit of diving Auntie? (no not that sort Ginger... you perv). Nothing much to report from me, still decorating and working. Don went to the midwife and she's been signed off work for a couple of weeks to get some rest as she's been a bit tired of late. Don't worry though, the baby was checked and the midwife said it was as happy as Larry (not a bad name for a boy, what d'ya reckon?) Weather's been unusually sunny the last few days, even took the kids down the park yesterday in a t-shirt! Sh!t, look at the time. Do you know what time it is..... home time (yep i'm writing at work again ;o) Love to you both xx