Vietnam - south to north in 6 days.

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Hey guys

I have had an insane week. After my last entry i went and hit the town in Saigon. Met some Aussie lads in a rock'n pub and found myself booking a ticket with them to a little coastal town called Mui Ne. The bus left at 6am, i left the pub at 2am (they were still hard at it - it was one of their birthdays).... bottom line is i made it to the bus and they didn't. So i was alone again, but loving it.

Arrived in Mui Ne, met some guys from Seattle on the bus and some Aussie lads at the resort, we had a bonfire on the beach that night which was pretty cool. Caught the bus the next day to Nah Trang where I met some Canadian gals (who were leaving Mui Ne) we hooked up and shared a room for 2 nights in Nah Trang. I had a totally brilliant time in Nah Trang.... (ran in to a lot of people who i met in Saigon) it has a beautiful beach (even by Australian standards), total party town and plenty to see and do.

After a 15 hour bus ride, which included seeing a collision between truck and bus, I stopped in Hoi An - it wasn't long enought to get any clothes made and the bus to Hanoi was full.... i had to be in Hanoi by the following day as the next 3 days everything stops for their NY celebratsions. Being without transport, tired, hungry and no place to stay I was on the brink of tears when a local woman saved the day.... she arranged a cheap hotel for me that night, booked me a taxi and a plane to Hanoi the next day - she wasn't benefiting at all from helping me, i offered her some money and she wouldn't take it - a total angel in my hour of need.

So after a brilliant shower, fix of tv and a nights sleep I ended up catching a taxi to Da Nang and the plane from Da Nang to Hanoi.... BRILLIANT MOVE. Saved 16 hrs on the bus and i met a sweedish girl, guy and an Irish lad who i am going to stay with for the next 3 days, tops party people with great English. Oh, and the Irish lad is a brilliant haggler (always good).

First night in Hanoi tonight and at first sight Hanoi is brilliant, plenty happening and pretty town. Im hoping to get out to Halong bay before i go if we can.... im not sure how much shuts down for new years but it would be a shame to travel this far and not see the bay.

I am looking forward to staying in one spot for a couple of days - its good to have a temporary home long enough to get some washing done - and i am sick of the bus.

Im off to Bangkok on the 10th but i hope to get in touch with you all before then.

For those sending text messages - i am not getting them, i think it may be the sim card but i believe i can send them ok and calls are good.

When i hit BKK ill be on the Thailand number and both text and talk seem to work fine on that one.

Im off to grab a bite with new flatmates.

Love you all.

Z

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Photos

Chicken anyone??
Chicken in Saigon, avian ain't likely to get this one. (more Tet celebrations)

Communism in practice
Woman checking details - crossing from one province to another. Saigon.

Family at New World roundabout - Saigon
Kodak moment.

Saigon - Flower Market
Competition winners

Halong Bay on an overcast day
But still beautiful

Friends from the first night
would love to remember names - sorry guys!
Dylan - you piker, i made it to the bus.... where the hell where you?

Paris of the orient?
Hanoi lake tet eve.

Last night in Hanoi
Flatmates and a pom.
Left - Right:
Martin, Colmn, Amanda, Neil (UK)and I.

Fisherman at Mui Ne
Beautiful at sunset.

Comments

[ann-marie]

this is great
I look through all these picture, and thank you for taken them and put them online, I really enjoy looking at it. I was once live in Vietnam, and is a great place to live somewhat. Thank you again for putting the pictures online. These pictures is beautiful.