dan murphy

We spent our final days in Hanoi shopping, eating, resting and organising ourselves for the long trip home. We were so ready for home by this stage to. Dan and I would have killed for a roast or mashed potato and the kids were hanging out for a decent sausage. Plus we were longing for a swim and some sunshine (quite cold and smoggy in Hanoi). Our 3 flights went as well as can be expected and we arrived in Brisbane New Year's Eve safe and well. It was a cracking holiday, Vietnam is an amazing place and we loved everywhere we visited. Dan and I would definately go back (less children) to explore some of the areas we didn't get to, and sun ourselves on Nha Trang beach again for sure. Camera played up last ... read more

Hi all, The internet access is not great here so photos might have to come with the next blog. Took a private (no Mum, we didn't drive) minivan to Hue yesterday and went the scenic route. It was lovely- stopped at Marble Mountain which had amazing caves and of course marble. Bought a jade marble braclet for myself and a few other trinkets for the kids. Lots of budha statues / dragons etc made out of marble and heaps of caves and steps leading to great views. Check out pic (when posted) of a naked Dan in front of a statue....... Then it was up the mountains and through the Ha Van Pass. Great views, narrow road (finger nails in seat) and the climate changed instantly. Got out on top of the pass and it was ... read more

Arrived safe and well in Hoi An, which is very different to where we have previously been in Vietnam. Our hotel is good and cheap (Phuoc An River Hotel) and has great views of the neighbouring rice fields, fully equipped with ducks, buffallo and geese. Went into the old part of Hoi An yesterday and did the tourist thing - ate the local dish, looked at the Japanese bridge (circa 1750), went to a 300 year old house which is still occupied by the 7th generation, and got measured up at the market tailor. Dan's getting 2 new suits and 5 business shirts, I'm getting a few pairs of shorts and tops and the kids are getting a winter outfit each. We were poached from the place we had lunch by a fun ny and friendly ... read more

Day 11 began with an early morning swim before a wonderful buffet breakfast at the hotel. Then it was onto have a Mud Bath at Thap Ba Hot Spring Centre. Fred is the only boy I know that doesn't like dirt / mud etc as he refused to get into the bath, even though the rest of us sat in the glorious bath for 20 minutes. Fred stood outside the bath and when we splashed mud on him (and especially when Kylie hugged him), he screamed and cried. Go figure. The whole thing was great yet strange, not as thick or coarse as I expected and you are amazingly bouyant in the water. After 20 minutes of covering ourselves in watery matter, we showered off (comes out of your togs with ease) to jump into the ... read more

Yesterday we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels which pretty much took up the whole day. We engaged our own driver for the day so there was plenty of flexibility with toilet and food stops for the kids and they could be as loud as they liked. It worked out well as when we arrived at the tunnels, a guide took us around (with another group from Mt Gravatt can you believe) free of charge. I have to admire the ingenuity of the Cu Chi people as the underground system they constructed was amazing, and what's more, it clearly worked for them. They have made the tunnels a bit wider and higher for tourists to go through (see pics), so I can't only imagine how cramped, hot and dark they were during the war. Of course, I ... read more