Out of Vietnam and into Loas

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Hello blogfans

Since our last blog we have left Vietnam and are now is mellow Loas, which has rubbish broadband speeds so it has been a little difficult to blog but found a decent internet cafe now so here goes...

Our last blog was from Halong Bay where although a little cold and me eating something which made me spend all of valentine's evening puking (very romantic for our fist one as a married couple), we had a great time. Unfortunately, when we got to Loas we heard that a similar boat to the one we slept on sank a couple of nights after we were on board which was very sad.

Anyway, on our trip we made friends with a really nice couple called 'Lucky' Dave and Emma from the West Country and Melbourne. Dave told us about this snake village that he was going to in Hanoi where you could kill a snake and eat its heart whilst it is still pumping. Having spend the previous evening puking I decided that this wasn't for me but we thought it sounded so bizarre that we had to see it. So the next day, after popping to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (FYI - very weird seeing a guy who had been dead since 1969 in a glass coffin, but at least it was free - apparently Uncle Ho wanted to be cremated anyway so it just seemed harsh!), we headed to the snake village with Dave, Emma and another guy called Paul..

When we arrived, we got to meet the snake, hold it, make friends etc, then they gave Paul the knife and he cut from the snake's throat about 4 inches where he stopped, they then located the heard and Dace bent down and bit it out. It was hilarious (RPSCA donors should have stopped reading before getting to that bit) and horrible at the same time. Check out the photos anyway! We then got to eat the snake - FYI snake isn't the greatest food I ever tasted.

After the snake village we walked around Hanoi's old town which is full off narrow streets and bustling markets. The best store was where they were selling live frogs! Carrie wouldn't let me buy any!!!

So we then flew to Luang Prabang in Loas. We were thinking about giving Loas a miss at one point but soooo glad we didn't now as it is amazing. Really chilled place. Luang Prabang is a small town on the Mekong river. We spent a day cycling around the town then booked a trip to go to the Elephant village the next day. At the elephant village we learned to drive (if thats the correct word?) the elephants which was an experience and a half. We even got to wear sexy denim outfits! It was pretty scary sitting on these huge animals heads as he plodded up and down fairly steep inclines and despite the expert 5 minute training in elephant language, I am not so sure how responsive they were. I was especially freaked out when the elephant in front of mine started scratching its arse on a tree next to the path and mine wouldn't obey my order to not follow suit! Anyway, we are now official elephant drivers which will be really useful back in Lytham!

After learning how to drive them, we bathed the elephants in the river which was good fun - getting soaked by the elephants as they ducked under the water and blew their trunks. Carrie was disappointed that her elephant didn't get her wet enough so got up at 7 the next day to do some more elephant bathing! The photos are good anyway! We then went tubing but it pissed it down so we got really cold but reminded me of summers on the boat in the lakes. We staying in a lovely lodge and after the second round of bathing we went kayaking which was good although I got really sunburned (stupid malaria tablets). We then went to a beautiful waterfall where we swam and went on the rope swing which was really good!

We then got the bus to Vang Vieng where we have spend 2 days on the river tubing (rubber rings). There are loads of bars by the river side with slides and rope swings so the amount of tubing was actually minimal and lots of beerloa and shots were consumed instead! I also had to do each swing 3 extra times as Carrie either missed the photo or had it on the wrong mode or a combination of both. Suffice to say my arms are now really sore! After 2 days of boozing, we chilled by the blue lagoon today and are off to Vientiene tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well back home....until the next time.....Carrie and Danny

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Comments

[Gemma]

Looking good!
Hi guys, looks like you are having a fantastic time over there. Great pics! And Carrie, you could always put your elephant skills to good use and have a career change when you're back. Does lytham have a zoo?! Anyway, look forward to the next installment...take care xx

[Hilary]

All sounds wonderful! Hilaryx

[Irene]

Blue outfits in 740 and 890 are very fetching? Am sorry but had to speed read the bit about the snake - how could he, and how could you eat it afterwards?! However, envy the elephant ride - what great experiences you are having. We had a good time in Barbados albeit at a much slower rate than planned. I (Irene) ripped her right hamstring muscle whilst jumping those fantastic Caribbean waves which was and still is pretty painful. Luckily everything in Barbados is done at a much slower rate!! Would love tp go back. Now we are home I am having physiotherapy and this morning's visit was pretty painful as she was giving deep massage - leg is all colours but getting better. Luv to read your blogs. lol I and G

[Vicky]

That is DISGUSTING! Last time I log onto your blog while eating lunch! Glad things have got a bit more relaxed than they were! Xx