SuzieQnSteven2

We left Saigon on our open bus ticket and headed to Mui Ne. After a very long bus ride, on a sleeper bus, I need to explain what exactly that means to us. A sleeper bus is designed with basically a lounge chair-but as Americans, take our average lounge chair, cut it in half lengthwise, then cut off bottom third of it. I fit fine (but I sat backwards in it with my feet in the air); Steven, however, looked like he was in Baby Bear's chair. We pulled up to Mui Ne, found the road that led to our guesthouse, and started the trek up. Halfway there the rain poured-out of nowhere, well, not nowhere, the typhoon in Hong Kong started it. Anyway, Steven ducked under a corrugated tin roof-and what do you know! It ... read more

Spent the last two days relaxing in Kampot-we leave tomorrow by bus to Saigon. We didn't do too much-that is the great thing about this sleepy little town. We stopped at The Rusty Keyhole for a great lunch and beers to catch up with the owners, who now have two sweet little girls. Real pints and real french fries-what more could we want?! Had some great conversations with an Australian couple, and a Canadian living in India-one of the best part of travel is the conversations with others. Staying at Mea Culpa Guesthouse, and having real, yes real pizza out of a wood fire oven. We rented a motorbike and Steven has been driving me around to shop, find internet cafes, and some photo opportunities-one of the prison. When we post the picture it is easy ... read more

We arrived at the airport waiting in line to go through immigration. The building is stunning -polished white floors with glass walls. The strangest thing was it was silent-everyone standing in line, even the immigration officials processing the passports-no sound whatsover. We gathered by the sign "Motherland Inn 2 Suzie Johns-1" and met Rob and Bob-and englishman and american who live in Bankok over in Burma for a ten day holiday. We had three more americans join us and out we went-past the new mini vans, past the new taxis, and into a 1950's rusted bus-we barely fit on one seat. No air-con, open windows, and through Yangon we went. The traffic, although organized, was really bad. All of the cars were burning oil so the air was absolutely stifling. I had my scarf over my ... read more

Back in Siem Reap, land of the tuk-tuk drivers, fish massage, regular massage, "special"massage, restaurants all recommended by lonely plant/roug gide/and any other guide they have heard about, stray dogs that are so lazy you have to step over them, big brown eyed beautiful little kids that stare, and the best food in the world-Khmer curry and fish amok. Since we are getting toward the end of our trip we are taking it easy. Our days are consisting of breakfast at the Soup Dragon-I have cafe sa da, coffee with sweet milk on ice, and Steven has his bun cha with a coffee as well. Finish up with a mango shake and good to go. Picking up a few things in the markets (Macy's should really look into hiring Khmer women-excellent sales pitches and will go ... read more

Departed Saigon yesterday at 1:00 in the back of the bus. We took Phuong Teang bus service because they had the best price, neck pillows, and taxi service when you arrive to take you wherever you want to go. The neck pillows are crucial because we were on the bus for nine hours-was supposed to be seven. Steven began chatting with a university student finishing up her junior year of college and was heading home to see her family for the summer. She is getting her degree as an auditor and already has an intership waiting for her next year. Adorable young lady, she gave us information about the countryside the entire ride. She really wanted to practice her english and I wanted to practice my vietnamese-good combination. She bought fruit at one of the rest ... read more