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Published: June 24th 2009
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So here goes my third attempt at blogging, started my vakay from a vakay about a week ago and its been unreal. In the beginning it was, as always a bit more nerving but now that were in the full swing of things its absolutely amazing. First couple of days in Bangkok were unreal, BOILING hot and soo much people. I've never seen traffic like I did there. Met some awesome Canadians and traveled with them around Bangkok. One thing about bangkok that I will not miss is constant questions of 'you want tuk tuk, ping pong show, lady boy'. Got my visas for Vietnam, which I was obviously overcharged for since I was farang! (foreign). Shits and giggles that my visa cost more money that my flight but Vietnam was absolutely unreal!
At the airport lineup met these 2 American girls traveling so I decided to give them a chat. We are still traveling together as we speak which is so unreal but definitely what happens when you travel. Saigon is a lot less busier than Bangkok, still ridiculous traffic but the cycle variety. The first night on the lash we went bar hopping around the backpacker street and
then to a club nearby, locals were all dressed up but boardies and thongs would do quite well. Oh ya things in Vietnam super cheap, our deluxe room cost $4, a beer cost $1 (and thats expensive) and food cost $3. When something cost more than that its redic! The next day after grabbing some delicious baguettes for breaky we booked out train tickets and went to the war museum. On the outside were your standard tanks and airplanes which look unreal a lot smaller that I was thinking but inside was something else. It was hard to watch the pictures of the war to see what people went through, there was no censoring so the pictures were a bit graphic. The aftermaths of agent orange were absolutely horrendous. You can't help but ponder life for a moment there.
The Vietnamese people are so strong, compassionate and friendly despite everything. Minus the one lady at the ice cream place after the bar who refused to sell us ice cream. After the museum we grabbed our tickets for the train and went to go check out a movie which was sweet 'State of Play' highly recommend it. We grabbed some
boozohol for a long night train which cost us about $2 for a 26-er. As we boarded our train armed with out 'Foreign' tickets, as it is clearly written on the ticket we decide to have a small drink. I'm telling you I've never tasted such vile Vodka in my life it. Needless to say we ran to buy some goon and drank that, it was a bit less vile.
Slept a bit on the train and then woke up to amazing scenery. The train ride was an attraction on its own. We were all pretty knackered at this point so we took the first cab, the guy didnt run the meter and we got off at his friends place (read: hotel that pays him commission) even though we said exactly where we want to go. needless to say he wants 80,000 dong which is like $5 almost but I was like efff that it was the shortest ride of life so I gave him 20,000. He kept waking along side us for a bit but then gave up. Had some breakky which was unbelievable! Got to love the French influence on there bread! nothing beats a warm baguette
in the morning. Found a super lush hotel for $12 for 3 people with balcony somewhat overlooking the beach, well no not really but for $12 you cant go wrong. Slept for the morning after our 10 hour train ride and went to the beach after. Water felt soooo good! Its amazing sunny and boiling here! I think this night we just watched a movie and went to bed.
The next day we did the typical beach thing and rented some scooters to go to the temple. Traffic here is a lot more tame but it is nothing I mean nothing compared to the small amount of motorists on the road at home. I survived though it was a sick experience just biking around. We got lost, well a lot trying to find the temple. There is something about seeing something a gigantic budha at the top of a mountain that is just soo surreal. Next time I come around here I definitely want to buy a motorcycle and bike from top to bottom. Later on that night we went to grab some seafood and went out on the lash to a place called Why Not Bar. Buckets were
$2 which is basically a sand pail type variety filled with lots of shots and a bit of mix, It gets stronger as the day goes on. Did some dancing on the beach bar afterwards couldn't afford drinks there though they were $4 robbery I tell you.
The next day, yesterday despite our hangover we went on the island hoping boat trip. The first stop was at an aquarium, we didn't fancy going in since we were starving but they didn't have any baguettes so we settled for ice cream and crisps. The next stop was snorkeling which was alright, there was a tonne of salt in the water so we just floated around. The reef to tell you the truth wasn't all that great it didn't have anything on the Great Barrier but for $6 for a day trip with lunch and happy hour couldn't go wrong. Met some quality brits on the boat and got pissed with them. The happy hour was a big floating bar which was so sweet. The only thing is they served us a pineapple and dirty vodka from the train. Needless to say after a few tigers the vodka goes down just
fine. After the boat we all met up for dinner and another night on the lash. More buckets please. This time the beach bar you had to pay to get into, even though you got a free drink we were not prepared to part with $3. There is something about traveling that makes you both a cheapy and an alcoholic!
Despite the copius amounts of booze I find traveling is really about the people you meet, the stories you share and the experiences you have. Thats why its so freaking amazing. Like my good mate St Augustine said, The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
cheers mates,
xx
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