Advertisement
Published: February 18th 2008
Edit Blog Post
The Journey across Laos through to Vietnam was arduous to say the least. We had a rough plan to make it down to Saigon with the hope that a big city would bring the best celebrations for Xmas. However, a few days before, we found out that Kerry (who we travelled China/Hong Kong with) was going to be at a place called Nha Trang with some friends. Coincidently, a couple of Scottish friends we met on the ferry to Shanghai were also thinking of staying there for the festivities. Obviously the Party liaison Officers, Ross and Sean, were required to liven up the action. So after 3 night buses in a row (the shortest being 9hrs), we hit Nha Trang ready to P A R T Y.
Nha Trang is the most popular beach resort in Vietnam and has a very western feel to it - mainly due to the number of bars located around the beach. The weather was gorgeous, and our first taste of some real tropical conditions. So as soon as we arrived on Xmas eve, we gave the locals a glimpse of our rippling torsos, and hit the beach (a common theme followed for the next
5 days).
We met Kerry, and much to the detriment of our livers, the two Scots Laney and Susan. What followed were 5 days of drinking carnage where, when I think back to it, not a lot was achieved, but it was a really good crack and a definite highlight of the trip so far. We even managed to bag ourselves a traditional dinner on Xmas day which helped us get over the beach party from the night before....
Heading south towards Saigon, we stopped at another 'beach resort' called Mui Ne. I use the term loosely due to the fact that there wasn't much of a beach par se; it was more of a fishing port. And being such great company as we obviously are, Laney and Susan decided to tag along for the ride.
Mui Ne wasn't all bad. Sure we had an evil panda living in our room, and yes we probably ate the most disgusting burger and chips known to man. But we did get to rent out a jeep for the day, which made it all worthwhile. Representing something from the First World War, our 'brand new' jeep was far from what we
The Beast
Obviously this has got nothing on the Micra (RIP) would consider road legal back home. But it had character and allowed us to get out of Mui Ne which is always a good thing. On our adventures we managed to have a go at sand sledging, see a lion, get lost in a remote Vietnamese village (much to the delight of the local children) and drive through a city centre which I can only describe as driving a Hummer through Oxford Street on Xmas Eve, on a day when all road legislation has been abolished!! It was fun though and a definite highlight. I've tried to add a video below to try and give you a taste.
We rolled into Saigon on the 30th thinking accommodation wouldn't be a problem. This was not the case and apparently quite a few others had had the same idea as us. So after about 2 hours, we finally managed to lay our heads at a pretty grotty, but adequate hotel.
Even with prior warning about the city, the shock of seeing so many motorbikes is huge. You cannot really express just how many bikes are around, I swear they outnumber pedestrians at least 3 to 1! Every time you cross a
road it is a life-threatening adventure and even on the pavement you are not safe as bikes whizz past you trying to cut traffic jams, red lights etc!!
The New Year celebrations were a blast as expected, with street parties that started at about 2pm and went on until the next day. All the bars were free to get into, and didn't mind what drinks you brought in, whether you got them from another bar or from the 7Eleven on the corner. It was a great atmosphere and a great night. What a way to start 2008!
The remaining few days in Saigon allowed us to get out to see some of the sites and areas which made this part of the country so prominent during the Vietnam (or American, depending who's telling it) War. We visited an area called Cu Chi where thousands of Vietnamese soldiers hid in tiny tunnels in order to evade American troops / firearms. And also the War Remnants Museum which housed memorabilia, artifacts and harrowing pictures of causalities during and after the war. If I’m honest, both were extremely biased, yet we all enjoyed a good bit of Yank-bashing none the less...
Xmas Eve 1
Us with Laney and Susan And so we then headed into Cambodia. It was a shame to leave Vietnam, and for me especially, left me feeling we had not seen enough of the country. But it definitely left me with enough of a desire to maybe return to the country in the future.
Ross
Advertisement
Tot: 0.053s; Tpl: 0.015s; cc: 8; qc: 25; dbt: 0.0279s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 2;
; mem: 1.1mb
Jim Khan
non-member comment
You guys rock
Having a great time there lads. Great to see! Keep up the good work and do us proud xxx