FayChrisbie

Sorry this blog has taken so long to complete and isn't written in the same upbeat tone of previous blogs, the pain of being home makes writing this rather difficult! The warm embrace of an old friend.... Thanks to Fay's abnormalities, red shirted protesters and overzealous government officials in Thailand, or in over simplified terms "Fate" has brought us to Malaysia's capital city for the third time in 4 months. Kuala Lumpur has become like an old friend, a warm and welcoming friend devoid of the grotesque people in Hanoi. Sure.... Malaysia's capital is far from perfect, but it sure as hell feels a lot more welcoming than Hanoi. Its streets are walkable, the people are friendly and we wake up happy to be here! After an extended stay in Vietnam's ugly capital we are much ... read more

Historical, hands on Hue! We hopped about a little bit with our blogs, trying to bring you the more important news first. Now we are out of hospital, fay is on the mend, and we are just about ready to leave Vietnam. So Now we will try and convey some more of this beautiful country to you. After our rushed departure from Hoi An, we departed for Hue (this time in a comparitively comfortable seated bus!). Our ambitious timetable in Vietnam means we have allowed ourselves 2 nights, but only one day, in Vietnams historic former capital.  By the time we arrive the neon lights of night time in the city are already sparkling. Filling the panoramic windows of our city view room. Luckily for us, Phil gets thirsty waiting for Fay to get ready! ... read more

Leaving Ho Chi Minh and hello Da Lat! Despite religious overtures, Ho Chi Minh City is a godforsaken place; from the bent taxi drivers, who take you round in circles (even when your watching them on a map), to the snatch a run petty thieves, from the lazy nose picking police, to the rude crowds who shove us out of the way at the palace!! So we are more than happy to be leaving this place for the cooler clims of Da Lat. Apart from being much, much colder, Da Lat isalso the centre of kitch and tackiness in Vietnam! Da Lat is relaxed, friendly and fun. We have now got company in the form of Cat and Phil, who have the same timetable as us and provide excellent travelling companions! Although, some scary comparisons ... read more

Vietnam, unlucky, painful vietnam!! Part one..... Ok we are slightly behind, but our dramatic time in Vietnam is definately worth a read. The country has been incredibly infuriating and still impressively beautiful.   Our journey through this country started with a head spinning introduction in Ho Chi Minh City. ( saigon). Which is busting at the seams.  Our arrival was greeted with a cacophony of noise, as hundreds of scooters and horns permiating the air! The sheer volume of traffic, means the streets are best crossed blindfolded, with the innocent bravery of a child!  On our first day in the city we get a disturbing introduction to the American war and it's aftermath. The war reminants museum provides some grusome photos, most notabily the photo's of an American soldier holding the detached head and torso ... read more

Goodbye wonderful Chiang Mai We really loved Chiang Mai. Despite being the hinterland of the working class red shirts who have taken over Bangkok, we have found the people to be extremely friendly, far more relaxed and much more fun than their Southern counterparts. We won't forget the friendly hospitality of A, our cooking school host, or the smiling faces along the river during our rafting tour. We really wish we had more time for the place but after seven nights in Thailand's relaxed second city its time to head south, and on towards Cambodia. Not before one last activity in Chiang Mai though. We venture 40 miles north of the city to the forest, where we spend 2 hours swinging through the trees at Jungle Flight. Its all good fun, and very entertaining, even ... read more