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May 7 - 10
I was pretty damn lazy and really didn't want to go in search of the guesthouses I marked in the LP (Lonely Planet). There was one place across from the cafe where we were chillin'. I checked it out and it was okay for $7/night but it was on a busy street. While Jody went in search of a place nearby, Tian and I just relaxed. She said that it was fine by her if we were to share. That was super cool but I totally didn't want to drag them down to backpacker style since they were on holidays and only had 3 weeks. So it was totally up to them to decide on a place then I would see if I could afford being the third party or not. We saw some decent places. I was blown away by this one deal, for the 3 of us, including aircon, free internet, and pool it was $12 and for an extra $2 breakfast could be included. The room by my standards was totally okay but that is just me. Jody said that Tian had issues with the bathrooms that had no tub, where the
shower just flows onto the ground and everything gets wet. That is fine. I totally understand but it's funny to see what people like and do not like, and what they would pay more money for. We checked more places which weren't that great and some rooms smelling of mold. They decided on Thanh Binh III which had 2 beds (1 double, 1 single), bathroom with tub, tv, aircon, balcony, pool, and free internet and breakfast. They quoted $25 but eventually we got them down to $20 but that was only when I was going to go and check out the first place again to see about single rooms. The receptionist I think thought we were all leaving but it was just me. I really couldn't do > $8 but $6.50 was okay by me. I could have cared less about the pool or the free breakfast but the free internet is good since I seem to be on for several hours at a time. Even though I don't care about the bath, I may just use it just cause I haven't a bath since January. I haven't really felt like one since being away cause it's so damn hot
but it would have been nice in Da Lat where it was cooler at night. We all showered and headed for some dinner which wasn't what we were looking for but it was still good none the less. There are so many shops here to get tailor made clothes, bags, purses, shoes, or whatever you fancy. The owner of the place we ate took us to the reputable shop in town after dinner. We looked around and saw that they made cheap suits. I was getting excited cause I totally want to get a powersuit made. Don't know what I would use it for, maybe job interviews but that would be it probably. I didn't sleep good that night. The bed was super hard and just was feeling weird, maybe anxious for the tons of money that I was going to spend here.
Goddamn! It was an all day shopping spree. I spent around $200CAD. So here's my big spending, a navy blue suit, winter jacket (wool one which I have always wanted - design wise), dress, skirt, blouse, 2 tops (one oriental style), a sling bag, and some souvenirs for people😊 Jody and Tian were calling me Barbie
cause they said everything that I tried on (off the manequin) fit real well. Ha funny. The second day was just as tiring as the first. I was running around all day to different places to get fitted. The only clothes that fit perfectly without any adjustments was the skirt and the first place I went. The others, oh man, took all day for everything to come together to my liking. I had to get the dress remade because they were careless in selecting a good piece of material.....the black flowers had white runs in them. They kept saying "come out once washed". But I was like, "I don't think so. Either redo or give me a discount." They didn't give me a good enough discount so they had to make it again. Let's just say it was an experience which I don't really want to do again. I mean I like having things fit real good to my body type compared to buying off the rack but it's just such a pain in the arse. I ran into Merika and Anna so we got together later in the evening to catch-up. I had to update them on my ride
back to Da Lat and Laam getting a little to friendly. I also had to see if they were swollen in sensitive areas and they said they were. Boh well. I was a little stressed cause I really wanted to leave the next day for Hue in the afternoon after I shipped my goodies home but I didn't know if I would have enough time to do everything. Merika, Anna, and others they picked up along the way from Nha Trang (gal from Toronto, guy from Quebec, couple of Chilians) were going to Hue as well. There wasn't any reason to visit Danang since I really didn't feel like seeing a whole bunch of pagodas which seems to dominate that city. The only reason I wanted to go was for China Beach but Merika said you can get to it from Hoi An, taking 25 mins by moto. I thought that was pretty sweet cause I could post my stuff home then in the afternoon rent a moto and chill at the beach. Well that didn't work out all to well.
Woke up super early, like 5:30 cause Tian and Jody were up. Ate breakies then sorted and packed
my big pack with all the shit I was sending home including other crap I've been carrying and don't really need. I had to burn copies of my pictures and send them back which took freggin' forever. I had to take out more cash since I wasn't too sure how much it would cost. A couple of workers from the post office came to the hotel in order to pack my things and do everything here for my convenience but I still went back to the PO with them to make sure my boxes were checked/marked accordingly. The box weighed 8 kg and cost $100usd to send airmail. So I really hope that it makes it home in 2-3 weeks. Speaking of which I think the package from Saigon I sent should be home sometime next week....I think....I hope. I had to stay at the PO cause the girls that came to the hotel to help didn't put any sticker code thingy on my package so I had to wait around for them to get back from another hotel run. It wasn't until 1:30/2pm that I left the PO. By then I was too tired to take a moto to
China Beach. I wanted food. I ran into Merika, Anna, and the french dude Sebastien. They rented bicycles for the day after finding another rental place for me we toured around Hoi An, the old city. It was nice to get out beyond the shops. I didn't actually think that I would be riding a bike so soon after my pain but this seat was big and comfy but I was still a little sensitive. Hehehe.
Hoi An is a cool town but way too dangerous. I think I blew my budget and may not go to northern Laos which I was thinking of doing since everybody speaks so highly of it. I wanted to do the Gibbon Experience but that costs over $100usd so maybe not anymore😞 Boh well. At least I gots me a nice winter coat and business suit....ha. That's okay though, China has been calling me. I'm anxious to get going.
For a week now, I have been feeling kinda exhausted and sightseeing'd out. Since being in Hoi An, I should have gone to see My Son and China Beach but really I had no desire to do it. I'm tired. It will be 4 months since leaving home, but really 2 months of travelling (since leaving Singapore). Don't know if I've hit a "wall" in travelling already. Not like I am wishing to go home but just exhausted and really want to relax and not feel rushed or that I have to see shit. I may have to extend my visa in order to feel that way though. I hope this apathy passes.
Next stop Hue and visiting the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) then overnight train to Hanoi. Lates.
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Maria
non-member comment
you need my bike
hey, maybe if you get a bike seat like mine you would enjoy the bike rides more ;)