Travel Blog Posts
May 17th 2008
Just thought I'd give you a quick update before I finish packing and head off on the night train to Hanoi. I've just spent a couple of days in the old Imperial City Hue. The sun has been shining and its hot in the city! Sabine and I arrived the day before yesterday (what day is it today?!) after catching the local bus then train from Hoi An which was a beautiful place. Yesterday was spent wandering around the old citadel, much of which was decimated by bombs during the American War - or 148 buildings, just 20 still stand. It was great in the old city as no hawkers or traffic are allowed and so we got a couple of hours of totalo peace and quiet. We'd had a cyclo ride around the outside of ... read more
May 9th 2008
We tried to have a lie-in this morning but were awake before 7.. what's with this country. I've been up earlier here than I ever am at home unless work is calling! After a rather lazy start to the day (nothing to do with the late night) we headed off to a cafe called 'Same Same but Different' for a muesli breakfast. Yum yum. It's renowned for its muesli and was worth the walk. Then it was off to the mud baths for a strenuous day wallowing in a tub of mud and a mineral pool. A nice way to be in the sun, but not. After yesterday's ride down to Nha Trang all our arms needed a little break from the sun and a little TLC and this was just the place. We decided on ... read more
I see the sea.. (girls on tour)
Published: May 15th 2008Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Nha Trang
May 8th 2008
By the time the girls had got up this morning Jonny had already had a coffee with the riders and headed off on his local bus to Kon Tum. I'd promised to look after Cal until we meet up in Hoi An.. not sure I'm up to the responisibility though! The first class of the day was spent at a rubber plantation, seeing the trees being bled of the latex. Loads of kids were heading off to school and all kept running along the road, or trying to keep up on their bikes, waving and shouting hello. They are all so friendly asking our names and where we're from. Can't imagine the kids on the Magdalen doing that! Then to another coffee plantation, but this time a special treat.. Philip found a cocoa plant and picked ... read more
May 8th 2008
Thought I'd better give you a quick update as I have gone slightly awol after such a rush of entries at the start! Cal, Sabine and I arrived in Nha Trang yesterday afternoon after a fabulous ride on the bikes from BMT, down the mountains and cross country. A little sun-kissed I think it's fair to say, as it's a staggering 38C here and the start of the dry season. The beach looks lovely and we found our way to a cool little hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace with sea view. The three of us are sharing an ensuite room for 10 quid a night! Gotta love this country. The first night was pretty chilled out with a nice dinner on a third floor balcony overlooking the backpacker district. The service was a comedy of ... read more
Peace and tranquility, the power of the waterfall
Published: May 15th 2008Asia » Vietnam » Central Highlands
May 7th 2008
So after the first day with the easyriders, it's hard to imagine how today could top it.. It started well with breakfast by the lake. Beautiful sunshine, no sign of yesterday's rain (yet) and no sign of the termites that were teaming through this place last night (they have to be the worst kind of insect. They fly in, shed their wings then scurry around like ants eating the furniture, but at least they don't bite!) Day 2, Stop 1: Short ride up the hill to see the former Bao Dai Palace which has just been turned in to a luxury resort - why couldn't we have stayed here last night (hmm, slightly more than 3quid I think!) Great views over the lake and a bit of climbing over fences to ensure the best photos! Then ... read more
May 7th 2008
Hi guys Just a quick entry to say I am truly having the time of my life. The four of us bargained our way into a trip with the easyriders and we have spent the last two days exploring into the Central Highlands. We have seen elephants, minority villages, waterfalls (lots of them!) eaten dinners for 30p and stayed in rooms for 2pounds, ridden the bikes through a monsoon storm (or three). We have been soaked through but I think its fair to say we feel absolutely alive. Can't stop to fill in the gaps now as about to head off for dinner.. please god no more rice! We have tomorrow on the motorbikes again, to head to Nha Trang for a few days relaxing on the beach. More when we get there! Lots of love ... read more
May 6th 2008
So I thought it about time to bring you up to date on our adventures with the Easyriders. After much haggling we (Cal, Jonny, Sabine and I) decided to take a two day tour with the guys up in the Central Highlands with an option of extending for a third day if the weather held out and the other girls liked being on the bikes. Laden with our rucksacks we donned the sexy helmets and boarded our transport for the next 48 hours... three mins later our first stop! So I'm the only one who's ever been on a bike before, let alone ridden one, but I am also the first to fall off! I was trying to get off the bike (gracefully) but failed, kinda slipped and ended up on my bum! Just half a ... read more
Vietnamese Pop, the soundtrack of Saigon to Dalat!
Published: May 5th 2008Asia » Vietnam » Central Highlands » Da LatMay 5th 2008
So this morning was fun. I finally finished backing up my photos, checking emails and packing and got to bed at 130. The alarm was set for 6! I peeled myself off the mattress and out to catch the bus for 730. My bags are heavy and I'm tired but I collapsed in my seat with a fresh croissant and settled down for a seven hour journey up the mountains to the central highlands. Sabine who I'd met at the Mekong was on the same bus so at least I had a friend to moan at for the duration!! I tried to catch a few hours kip to add to the 5 last night only there was girl in front being sick and a guy to the side playing cheesy Vietnamese pop on his mobile phone, ... read more
Cocktails, Shopping and a Spa. I really am on Holiday!
Published: May 4th 2008Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh CityMay 4th 2008
Aaaaaaaahh what a day today has been. I really am on holiday! Last night, after I'd got back from a very long day at the Mekong Ric, Caroline and I headed out for a posh dinner. Ric had been upset that we hadn't done posh yet since I'd arrived (not sure what Chris told him about me!) so we went to the Camargue, a french owned restaurant that gets the thumbs up in the guide books. Problem was we hadn't booked and they were full (hmmm, Caroline and I were sure we could see several empty tables..!) so we went to a really nice Thai restaurant instead and feasted on curry. It was lovely.. and a snip at a million quid! After that the cocktails were calling, so up to the 9th floor of the Caravelle ... read more
May 3rd 2008
Hi All, Just got time for a quick update as I have loads to do before bed and I have an alarm call at 6 tomorrow to catch my bus.. thought I was supposed to be on holiday! I've just spent a couple of fantastic days in the Mekong Delta. I went on a trip organised by the Sinh cafe, one of the biggest tour operators here and they were really good. Only prob - it's holidays in V at the moment and so there were two bus loads of us trucking around. But I met some really great people and made lots of friends. I hooked up with a German girl (Sabine)who's travelling for nine months on her own (imagine that mum - she's told her parents she's only phoning them once a month!) and ... read more
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