 Wanderly Wagon - Wanderly Wagon | All Comments |
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| 27th November 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi I did grow to like Vietnam & its people for the last few days I was there. The long hard buses and bus breakdowns are all part and parcel of traveling, I fully understand that. It doesn't mean that it is easy. I've used buses in 13 previous countries and found Vietnam to be the toughest. Next blog will see a turn around and thanks to those whop have read this one. One of my worst and it now has one of my highest views. Strange! Wanderly Wagon |
| 27th November 2009 lostboy | Learn to travel first - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi I agree that your experience is true but that's what happens when you're travelling on tourist buses, to all the backpacker stopovers and all. Viet Nam is excellent and only occasionally I hated it. You learn to be stubborn when required, like the locals. The main thing is not too loose your cool and not to be a wus. |
| 27th November 2009 mp3 downloads | mp3 downloads - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi Really it's too painful journey,i like Vietnam becoz Vietnam is a marmite country.everyone has a different opnion. i have positive one. |
| 26th November 2009 Dr Bruce Moon | Oh, forgot about link - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi Sorry, I forgot they take link details out, so... the website is travelfish then org, and the page is forward slash board, followed by forward slash post, then forward slash vietnam, followed by forward slash and 7390_visiting-sapa. Hopefully that will get you tome good info. Cheers |
| 26th November 2009 Dr Bruce Moon | Marmite...yeah!! - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi Hi, guys. I empathise with you. VN is a most frustrating country. But, once you get in tune with doing things their way (but on your own terms), it sort of works. IMHO, using hostels/GH as a place for info will always result in agony. Not only do they want a cut (in itself no problem), but because you have little recourse to them if anything goes wrong, they travel mob they use will also know to treat you as fair game. Try to book with the actual operator. For bus trips, I always use Sinh Cafe (www.sinhcafevn.com), as they appear to have the most reliable vehicles. Similarly, for train trips, go to VN railways. etc... As for accommodation / dining / etc., try to get away from where the other tourists are hanging out. You tend to get treated with more cheerfulness, and ripped off less. I have learnt that in VN, if I want a good experience, I'll not get it where tourists are merely trying to get the same as what they are comfortable with at home. So, a bar full of westerners isn't a VN experience, so I suggest you avoid. etc., etc. I do hope you get to go to SaPa - it's a beautiful part of the world. Go see what I wrote at: http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/vietnam/7390_visiting-sapa Hope things get better for you. Cheers, |
| 26th November 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi Dear Keyboard Warrior, I suggest you read my 100 or so other blogs to see what I'm like. I could try and generalise the type of traveler you are, but I'm afraid I'm now having too much fun in Thailand. My blogs are for my memories and that's what happened that week. Lots of others have commented on not liking Vietnam. I grew to like it by the end. Darren |
| 25th November 2009 bob | moan - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi The inconveniences that happen along the way are part of travelling and without them your trip would be dull. If you want everything as it is at home, then go to magaluf on your next holiday. In this blog you just come across as a spoilt brat. |
| 25th November 2009 Andy Horsman | Vietnam - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi I guess everyone has different experiences, but I felt I should write in response to the last, very general comment by Paul and Emma. I really enjoyed Vietnam the both times I was there. Like all places there is good and bad everywhere you go but I can honestly say that I had a great time. It was certainly more commercialised than say Laos or Cambodia, but I enjoyed it because of that difference, to be able to compare it to other places along the way - the diversity, the history and the people made it all worth visiting (which is why we travel, I guess). I spent about 6 weeks there (and 10 months in Asia) in total, travelling all over the country and didn't encounter any more problems than elsewhere in the region. Wanderly Wagon - I hope the rest of your trip improves! Happy travels... . |
| 25th November 2009 Paul-and-Emma | - From: Vietnam Part I - Saigon to Hanoi Ha! oh my, reading your blog I feel for you, We were in Vietnam around 2years back and we have been all over Asia more than twice. After visiting Vietnam after a month we just had to get the hell out of there. a truely horrible place and the people are just awful and I dont care that I'm generalising because I HATE Vietnam. my advice? get the hell out! mytb.org/paul-and-emma |
| 20th November 2009 theRedRiver | Vietnam - From: War has no Winners. I believe you youself don't want your country to be divided into the North and the South. Millions of Vietnamese died for the determination "Vietnam is one country". Today I can go everywhere in Vietnam, from the northernmost point to the southernmost point. When you visit Hue city, I suggest you join a one day DMZ tour and see the river which used to be the demarcation line during 1954-1975. My father had to wait for 21 years until he could cross that river and went back home to see his parents in southern Vietnam. If you ask every family in Vietnam, there are always some touching stories about how they feel and what they lost in the wars. Vietnamese are forgiving but they don't forget. I also suggest you read my blog http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/blog-256948.html there is a speech of Mr Bill Clinton at the National University in Hanoi about the relationship of Vietnam and the USA. |
| 14th November 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia Didnt see that one! Please name yourself though?! |
| 13th November 2009 anonymous | - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia "as we have yet to have a ride without a mishap on this trip."?????????? |
| 13th November 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Full Moon Party - Nov '09 No problem! |
| 13th November 2009 Mell | - From: Full Moon Party - Nov '09 Thanks for the info Darren. :) |
| 13th November 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia In total we only spent 6 days in Cambodia. The people were friendly and generous, but when they have something to sell they become different people. The dollar has a wicked hold on them!! |
| 13th November 2009 anonymous | Interesting - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia Thanks for the write-up on this. I've never been to Asia but my wife will be in Cambodia in a few weeks (non-tourist stuff), this is an interesting story that I'll send to her. |
| 13th November 2009 wandering star | New Light! - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia Yes, Angkor Wat has some scammers...I remember...but I also had great experiences in this country, although, outside of A.W I found most locals just kept to themselves. What are your plans for Phnom Penh? It rained while we were there, so we ate a "special" pizza and walked around the city. Are you going to the prison/school where Pol Pot tortured his prisoners? It's probably the most eerie place I've ever visited. Happy and safe travels! ~ws |
| 12th November 2009 atle | Border Scam - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia It is possible to get that visa for the 20usd it should cost. Just be stubborn, and show them you have all day too (they have). As more tourists come and hopefully join your refusal to pay extra it gets easier for them to let you go and hope the next one is less stubborn :) Could also tell them you checked with the embassy in Bangkok before you left and know that it really is 20usd. Hopefully the next traveler reads this and avoid the extra charge. On a side note, go visit The Warehouse bar in Siem Reap if you are still there :) |
| 12th November 2009 anonymous | - From: The Temples Of Angkor - Cambodia Good blog, it made me laugh because we had such a similar experience around two and a half years ago. (good memories) unfortunately you do get lots of hassle but in general the people are friendly, even generous. keep enjoying!! mytb.org/paul-and-emma |
| 12th November 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Full Moon Party - Nov '09 It's real fire I'm afraid. People do get very bad burns at the full moon party. I'd put it down to foolishness! |
| 11th November 2009 Mell | - From: Full Moon Party - Nov '09 Yeah, fun or foolish? Everytime, I see somthing like your video, I wonder if that is real fire. Is it? Doesnt it cause horrible burns? |
| 11th November 2009 Mell | - From: Full Moon Party - Nov '09 So, what is the secret of your success? If you have time, would you give us some tips and tricks. http://www.travelblog.org/Forum/Threads/21363-1.html |
| 10th November 2009 Katy | - From: Full Moon Party - Nov '09 Shelly you look gorgeous in these photos. Can't believe your beautiful book was nicked, what scummers! Also can't believe they have Boots and Tesco over there! Keep safe xx |
| 6th November 2009 Krista Lundgren | Great memories... - From: Disneyland for Alcoholics! I was in laos this time last year and loved reading your blog and reliving the crazy times in Vang Vieng. Enjoy the rest of your travels! |
| 3rd November 2009 chris | coooolllllllllll - From: A Wrong Turn In The Worlds Largest Cave (and my stairway to heaven!) were those rely paintings and cofins asome |
| 3rd November 2009 chris | wwwwwwhhhhhhhhaaaaaat? - From: A Wrong Turn In The Worlds Largest Cave (and my stairway to heaven!) that is so cool were did u see that centipede?weres niah cave dude? |
| 29th October 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Chiang Mai to Pai Funny man! |
| 28th October 2009 marko | women man - From: Chiang Mai to Pai darren thats not the first time u made that mistake. |
| 28th October 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Four Paddies and Croagh Patrick Your achievement far outweighs anything I could ever do. Inspirational wouldn't even begin to describe your climb. Fair play to ya. I'm delighted you like the blog. X |
| 28th October 2009 Anna | Nice work - From: Four Paddies and Croagh Patrick Im loving this blog! Congrats on getting to the top!! My Nan comes from Clew bay, and I climbed the Reek in September! I use a wheelchair, and I climbed on my hands and knees. It took 7 hours for me to reach the top, but the sense of acheivememnt at the top was and still is indescribable! I really can't wait to go back and do it again! Anna. X |
| 18th October 2009 Katy | - From: What Wat is Which Wat? Ah Darren I feel your pain with the bike! Bloody hard work isn it?! |
| 15th October 2009 Carmel | Ha ha - From: Is getting 3rd class character building? Very descriptive daz....for a sec i felt lik i was almost there with ye! very very gud, really enjoyed it! :) |
| 14th October 2009 Sara | I love Monkeys - From: Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary Awwww them orang utans are class, so jealous ye were so close to them, I love them!!!! Ps: Hurry home |
| 12th October 2009 Mell | - From: The Bridge on the River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Do you mean the Kwai River Bridge, Prakash? That is easy to reach. From anyplace in the the town of Kanchanaburi take a rikshaw. Bicycle and motor ones are readily available. |
| 12th October 2009 Prakash | Plan to be there too - From: The Bridge on the River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Good blog. I would be in Bangkok later in November. How would you advise reaching The Bridge. Can I be back the same day? Anything else that I can do on the way? |
| 11th October 2009 carmel granahan | - From: The Bridge on the River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Darls the tan cumin along nicely.....Luking very good! :) |
| 4th October 2009 Jules | Loved your blog on Sepilok Darren! - From: Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary Hi Darren i came across your blog as i have been searching for sepilok/orang updates on web due to withdrawal symptoms! I have just arrived back after an 8wk volunteer programme at Sepilok. The larger orang utan you have photographed is Eyos, she is 13yrs and appears almost every feeding time without fail, the smaller looks like SogoSogo, she is just beginning the release programme and has taken to the freedom of the forest really well. I miss them all so much, pleased to read the respect you had for the great orange creatures. Great blog, regards jules |
| 4th October 2009 Paul | - From: Can Bangkok redeem itself? Yea, KSR is much better now, the first time we were there it was constant hassle, but now its how it should be, chilled, i reckon people there have just got more money now and are more content? And as far as the food? its still right at the top of my list!! I would kill for a proper papaya salad and red curry king fish right now, enjoy Paul-and-emma@travelblog .org |
| 4th October 2009 Iva | the food - From: Can Bangkok redeem itself? oh ya, and not to mention the food! omg!!! there's SO MUCH more to it than just noodles and rice, omg, it is neverending!! as i"ve said, i am here the second time and label myself as a foodie and have not yet tried everything there is ... it's endless! :) |
| 4th October 2009 Iva | Malaysia rocks :) - From: Can Bangkok redeem itself? hey! i just came randomly across your blog as another travelblog user and gotta say ... i have had the bestest of times in Malaysia. Definitely because I was hanging out with the locals (via couchsurfing) and they have showed me hospitality unbeaten by any other country. But even with the non-CSers, I have been treated - true, not always with a smile like the Thais, but - with genuine friendliness and interest. I felt so welcome here it made me come back only after half a year :))) But it definitely is different than Thailand or any other buddhist country, for sure! I just wanted to say that regardless of the religion difference, my time in MAlaysia compared to the one in Thailand was much, much more warmeharted. :) All the best! |
| 4th October 2009 jonrha | Your right - From: Can Bangkok redeem itself? "Ok, it wasn’t that bad, but it was quite boring. The people were not as friendly as other countries we have met and we weren’t quite sure was that because they were reserved..." These are my same thoughts having visited there twice some years apart.The second time to check out if the country has changed. The reason I think is the conservative nature of the country which influences all aspects in life and acceptance of foreign ways. However I can never understand why the people have embraced the many Western Shopping Mall with their KFC and McDonalds? |
| 29th September 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Cookery Course in Singapore - thats the name! |
| 29th September 2009 passerby | - From: Cookery Course in Singapore - it was probably belachan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimp_paste |
| 24th September 2009 Assumpta | congrats - From: More Snorkelling And Some Smelly Durian Fruit Congrats to Bloggers of the Week you have done us and Ireland proud. Its well deserved as you have kept me entertained, enlightened, amused and sometimes horrified with your descriptive account of your travels. Luv you both Keep safe |
| 21st September 2009 Donna and Neil | ahhh the famous Malay bus air con! - From: A Wrong Turn In The Worlds Largest Cave (and my stairway to heaven!) Had to giggle at your bus journey...we have found the same all over Malaysia they treat their passengers on the buses as if we are frozen turkeys that must be preserved at all costs, therefore the drivers whack the air con on as high as possible! We hate the feeling of 'defrosting' after one of those journeys. Defo look at Air Asia flights as sometimes they are as cheap as the bus journey would be! Have fun in the rest of Borneo! |
| 13th September 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Kuala Lumpur - Chicken feet anyone? Thanks. Its good to know someone likes them! |
| 13th September 2009 liliram | Not enough petronas pics? - From: Kuala Lumpur - Chicken feet anyone? Hey, this is good. I like your writing style. Enough information, good humour and well-edited too! Keep them coming! |
| 3rd September 2009 Wanderly Wagon | - From: Great Barrier Reef 3 months and 16 days actually! |
| 2nd September 2009 Sara | - From: Great Barrier Reef I am back on schedule with the blogs guys, wow, again amazing pics!! bring on the Asia blogs, 3 months til home time, eeek!! xoxox |
| 2nd September 2009 Sara | Savage Photos - From: Aqua, Wild and Sky They are some seriously amazing pics Daz and Shell, - really wow! xoxox |
