Ghost trains and baby whisperers

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Yesterday morning Mali said for the first time that he missed home. He said everything to do with home, but mainly Chilli, his pet dog. And when he woke up this morning said the same thing again. I'm hoping it's not every morning for the next two months, as my answers of positive reasons on why we are doing this will soon get old.



Last night, walking the streets in Hue in Vietnam, a man on a motorbike yelled out to us "hey, Bob Marley" and zoomed past, into the traffic. About 10 minutes later, the same man looked us in the eyes yelled out the same thing, and sped off. We were clueless as to who it was, Mali especially was freaked out and we still don't have aany idea who it was. Now it's our saying wherever we go!



We arrived here on Tuesday by overnight train. The trip took 12 hours, and was eventful to say the least. A 4 -berth carriage, cost $135, which we shared with a Vietnamese lady and her 5 year old son. We didn't have any foot room because they shoved boxes full of seafood everywhere on the ground. Ok, so we're learning to just go with the flow, that's cool, will just put our feet on the beds.

Colin and I booked the bottom beds, and Mali the top. He was so excited, couldn't wait for the trip, talked about it all day, and settled in with iPad in hand ready for the trip. The lady suddenly ran to the toilet, and informed us she and her son were sick, which including vomiting. Next the train staff member came in and asked if Colin could moved to the top bunk as the lady was going to be in and out of the toilet the rest of the night. So this continued all night, all to the clickety, clack, shaking and rocking of the ghost train, cause it sounded like Zombies and devils filled the corridors. Three carriages up from us some guys were having a few beers and a smoking, which was really nice of them. Oh, and then there was the lovely toilet which consisted of water and other stuff everywhere, an open vent window that showed the world me on the toilet and of course that smell. Hey, we are learning to go with the flow, I just did my business and got the hell out of there.

Anyway, please be advised I am prone to slight exaggeration, but you all know where I'm coming from.



Another sweet story comes from a bus trip from Angkor Wat to capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. A 7 hour trip with the locals, stopping off every half hour, to let someone go to the toilet, or get something to eat, which was very slow and very entertaining. We did have a few babies on the bus, which cried and screamed, as babies do. Half way through the trip, with one of these babies just behind our seat, which, he had cried the entire time, something magical happened. Colin, pick of this baby, like Jesus helping the wounded, and cuddle that darling until he fell asleep. His mother was amazed and thankful, as she seemed quite stressed by this time. Colin then held this baby until the end of the trip, while the little one slept like a baby, because he was one. I actually think he didn't want to give the baby back to his mother. Anyway, I now call him 'the baby whisperer' (please see photo for evidence).



We are heading to Hanoi tomorrow , by plane as it is cheaper than the 14 hour train trip. Two days and then our next country, China. Love to everyone, and 'Cam on' (Thank you in Vietnamese) for reading.

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Photos

Room with a view
Living it up in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The view was amazing.

Beer again
Saigon beer at the Sailing Club, Nha Trang.

Beach Volleyball
Mali watching his dad try and join in on the volleyball game, downtown Nha Trang.

Orphanage in Nha Trang
Buddhist run orphanage in the mountains. Did a fantastic local private tour for the day in Nha Trang.

Making mats
Part of the Nha Trang tour, we all got to have a try making the grass mats.

Hat making
Handmaking hats for the local Nha Trang markets. The shape of the hats help with air circulation and are water proof.

Rice noodle factory
Got to see the rice noodle process, sun dried, and packaged.

Saffron rice noodle sheets
Rice noodles laid out on bamboo sheets, sun dried, and then cut.

Ostrich riding
Now, who can say they have ridden an ostrich?

Crocodile feeding
Colin, Mali and our lovely tour guide, Dung.

3hour bike tour, Siem Reap Cambodia
Great bike tour, covered 20km, unfortunately for half the trip I came down with gastro. We went thru rice fields, a mushroom farm and pagoda.

Hue hotel with rose petals on bed
The town of Hue, in the middle of the country, between South and North. Only 50k from the Khe San site, and where the American base was situated. Colin wanted to visit, as Jimmy Barnes is his idol. Didn't have the time.

Umbrella for the heat, at a tomb of a past emporer, Hue.
Hue used to be the capital of Vietnam.