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Published: February 27th 2013
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Eating frog skin last night seems to have had a slightly dodgy effect and woke up feeling none too special, but nothing serious. New place for breakfast - Vietnamese Kitchen - OK, but full of westerners, but wasn't feeling too adventurous and trying to chase frog out of my thoughts! Hop off, now!!
After breakfast I explored a new pharmacy - melatonin even cheaper there - bought some (P!) and then went to see if my xe om guy was in his usual spot. Word has spread along the street it would seem. At first no-one offered me a ride (you don't see so many westerners on them, and most local people don't recommend it) but now I walk along the street to 'Motorbike motorbike!' Anyway, he wasn't there. What to do? Didn't want to take the easy taxi option so I sat outside the Go2 Bar and thought I'd wait a bit - no hurry - only 9am and I was going back to the Renaissance for the day so no problem. I'd just ordered a(nother) coffee and there he was, all smiley, so I cancelled and off we went. He's very careful, helmet good (although he always has
to undo the catch for me), probably not 60 but looks older, hardly any teeth, tiny bit of English but gentle personality as far as I can make out. I feel safe on the back of his bike, even in v busy traffic. The price always seems to be d30,000 (less than £1) and I shake his hand when we arrive in one piece, which he seems to think is hilarious. Less hilarious than falling to my knees in gratitude, hopefully. I asked him to come back at 3 and collect me - will see if that happens.
Back up to floor 21 - receptionist guy in the spa says 'Welcome back!' (eat my shorts, Park Hyatt!!!). Is it boring to come here for 3 days? Not at all, although I haven't seen some of the main tourist attractions - Notre Dame (only went past in a taxi), the Post Office, which apparently is a building to behold, but I am not going to behold it, at least this time. Seen photos - enough! There are 2 big cruise ships in now - doesn't appeal to me at all - especially when they go in a convoy by cyclo
with some poor little guy of about 99 with skinny little legs frnatically pedalling - looks RIDICULOUS!!
Ready just before 3, so hung out in the lobby, then outside, and on the dot he appeared smiley smiley. This time new bad words came into my head - maintenance of bike, blown tyre, people shooting out and cutting us up (this did happen), and Ben Thanh (aka Death) Roundabout was horrendous, so I did do a bit of tensing and clutching his shoulder. They don't like sudden clutching - sure sign of a nervous passenge, which I so was this afternoon. Still here, though! Where to hold on is an issue too - round his waist is out of the question, Steph holds onto the seat behind, but it makes me feel like my hands are tied behind my back - far too wobbly - so I try one hand on shoulder (trying not to clutch) and one on the seat. No hands is possible, but only for the professional. Not me!
Tonight we went for happy hour (again...) at the Sheraton - lots of roof bars here, cheap by uk standards, fab views and people are in their
shorts and flipflops, clutching copies of the Lonely Planet, so no need to get dressed up and no looking-down-noses on the part of the staff. Then to a French restaurant called Ty Coz, near the War Remnants museum but down an alley where you would never see it if you didn't know. moules and foie gras - yum, but expensive.
I'm a bit worried about this night in China lark, and needing a transit visa, partly because I've spent £70 on a night at the 5 star airport hotel and I don't want to waste it, and also because 14hrs on the floor in Guangzhou airport does not appeal at all. So I hope the form I printed off the internet works and they'll let me out., and if anyone is near Heathrow T4 on Friday afternoon at 3pm, please come and keep me company - have a boring 2hr wait for my coach!
See you all very soon. Freya -squeeze FLLS1 and 2 for me -xxmum
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Vincent
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Fun trip!
Hey Rachel! Oh no, your last day here! I hope you had fun while it lasted. My last day was on the 24th so I am jealous that you had a few extra days. I would have loved to been able to stay there for a few more days. Heck, a few more weeks! So you rode on a motorbike huh and clutch for dear life? I was like that too the first time but the second and third times, there were times I wasn't holding on at all! Altough, I had pretty good drivers (family!). I hope you had a good trip. Where is the next adventure?