Flight to Beijing and check into a fine Hotel for the cost of $30AUS per night. First thing we notice about Beijing is its flat, not just flat but billiard table flat. The city is divided into blocks, these are not just regular blocks but some go for a kilometer. To look on a map, what may seem a short distance to walk, being a few blocks can turn into a proper day outing with plenty of walking. The pushbike appears to be a prefered mode of transport as I have already mentioned, Beijing is flat! We went to the compulsory [View Full Entry]

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We were picked up from the border of HK / China by friends and travelled to the industrial area of Guangzhou were we where to spend a few days at a zipper factory belonging to friends from Australia. As is customary apparently in the region we were taken out to eat late at night. The restuarants here can cater for over 1000 people and the foyers look more like exotic pet shops than an eatery. The Cantonese have a way to make everything edible and delicious. They could even make lawn clippings taste like heaven and probably do. The factory we [View Full Entry]

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Made it to Hong Kong, Was supposed to travel overland but due to the Sichuan Earthquake and the Olympics no visa. Anyway had a good look around Kowloon on what was left of my budget - not much. Seems to be a 7 - 11 and Macdonalds on every corner [View Full Entry]

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It was on my list of things to do once in my life and now it is crossed off. Worth every moment though to see this amazing place. Overnighter with kayaking recommended. [View Full Entry]

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Spend days wandering around Hanoi on a motorbike, getting lost, meeting people. My Vietnamese by this stage was good enough to hold a basic conversation. Did the usual tourist events plus a few. [View Full Entry]

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We went directly from Na Trang to Danang and straight down to Hoi An. My Favourite place in Vietnam. Were going to stay for a couple of days and stayed for 9 days. Nice [View Full Entry]

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Flew to Phu Quoc for a very refreshing few days. Nice place could live there no problems. [View Full Entry]

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I just wantedto post a short note mentioning Rach Gia as there is not much on here about it. We found it to be a freindly town with 4star accomodation (The best we have stayed in yet) for $20 a night. Nobody, and I mean nobody speaks a word of english so I had to polish up on the vietnamese quickly. We had a great night and watched the sunset over the bay ate excellent food and were treated like royalty. Recommend the Linda Hotel - excellent value..!!!!' [View Full Entry]

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We travelled east to the beach Mui Ne and was fortunate enough to be taken on the way to the Giant Buddha. A cable car ride up through the rain forest for about 5 k's then walk another few hundred meters to what is apparently the largest reclining buddha in SE asia. The cable car had only been in place for the last 6 years and people from all over Vietnam used to make the 7 kilometer pilgramige through the dense forest to see the buddha. As you can imagine the numbers dwindled as the climb became harder and hence the [View Full Entry]

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Arrived in Saigon to the more familiar madness of SE Asia, had a lift to the hotel booked and settled for the day. Nice hotel, great people Blue River Hotel, recommended. Was much easier this time to get absorbed into the culture, our first experience in Cambodia was somewhat overwhelming but within hours we were in the middle of hustle and bustle and already learning the language. Exceptional food as to be expected and hired a motorbike for a cruise around the city, as you can see from the video trafiic is insane although once you are in it you just [View Full Entry]

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