It will also go down as one of the crazier drives in my life.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Drive to Da Lat
There are few drives that compare to the beauty of the highlands. The views were breathtaking.
It will also go down as one of the crazier drives in my life.
It will also go down as one of the crazier drives in my life.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Nha Trang
Kenny and I are in Nha Trang after somewhat of a taxing few days. We didnt book a hostel and when we got here everything was full. To make matters worse there were no buses leaving Nha Trang for Saigon or Dalat until the 28th. So we were basically stuck.
For reasons I can't explain, we went back to the first hostel we checked and all of a sudden they had two openings!
Nha Trang is not the worst place to get stuck. For one thing it's a beach resort town. Full of tourists but beautiful beachs. Secondly, the weather is ten times better than Hanoi. Hot, hot, hot and sunny.
Today we were going to go snorkeling but we were in for so much more! This is an epic adventure I will never forget.
We booked a one day tour for ourselves of the islands here in Nha Trang. This morning a few of us boarded a bus to go on the tour.
When we arrived at the wharf, it was a mad house. Total tourist trap. But not for caucasians, for vietnamese. We were escorted to a tiny boat filled with Vietnamese tourist. This was one of about 20 boats doing the same thing.
We took off for the first island we were supposed to visit (someday I will post the description of the tour). Needless to say it was chalk full of the same boats and we learned we had to pay to get on each island.
The six people from the hostel looked at the scene and then looked at each other. What have we gotten ourselves into?
Everyone shrugged there shoulders and decided to make the best of it. It was also at that moment the guide came up to us and asked "who wants a beer?" The timing could not have been more perfect.
We ended up having an incredibly random but brilliant day. I will post more pictures later of the crazy floating bar, cluster of Vietnamese tourists and random water sports but I will leave you with one goodie!
The weather was lovely today. Deceptively so...
Mom, I told Kenny to put on more sunscreen! :)
( He only wanted me to cover his tattoo. Can you see the line of where I did that?)
For reasons I can't explain, we went back to the first hostel we checked and all of a sudden they had two openings!
Nha Trang is not the worst place to get stuck. For one thing it's a beach resort town. Full of tourists but beautiful beachs. Secondly, the weather is ten times better than Hanoi. Hot, hot, hot and sunny.
Today we were going to go snorkeling but we were in for so much more! This is an epic adventure I will never forget.
We booked a one day tour for ourselves of the islands here in Nha Trang. This morning a few of us boarded a bus to go on the tour.
When we arrived at the wharf, it was a mad house. Total tourist trap. But not for caucasians, for vietnamese. We were escorted to a tiny boat filled with Vietnamese tourist. This was one of about 20 boats doing the same thing.
We took off for the first island we were supposed to visit (someday I will post the description of the tour). Needless to say it was chalk full of the same boats and we learned we had to pay to get on each island.
The six people from the hostel looked at the scene and then looked at each other. What have we gotten ourselves into?
Everyone shrugged there shoulders and decided to make the best of it. It was also at that moment the guide came up to us and asked "who wants a beer?" The timing could not have been more perfect.
We ended up having an incredibly random but brilliant day. I will post more pictures later of the crazy floating bar, cluster of Vietnamese tourists and random water sports but I will leave you with one goodie!
The weather was lovely today. Deceptively so...
Mom, I told Kenny to put on more sunscreen! :)
( He only wanted me to cover his tattoo. Can you see the line of where I did that?)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hanoi Part II
It is almost laughable that I'm in Vietnam during their new years celebration when everything is closed. A few years ago the same thing happened to me in Morrocco. It was Ramadan, nothing was open and I swore to myself that I wasn't going to do that again...
TIP: When booking travel, do your research on the local holidays where you are headed!
It has actually worked out fine for us though. The ride to the airport and to Ha Long Bay took half as long as they normally do. We were also able to change our flight and will be leaving a day earlier since none of the tours where running to Sapa and the south west regions.
That just left us with today to find something to do. Most of the museums are still closed but we were able to go to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and museum. It was very interesting for both Kenny and I to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and the process we had to go through to see it.
Now we are back at the hostel planning for the next leg of our trip. We leave tomorrow morning at 6:15am.
Good bye North Vietnam! You have been cold but fun!
TIP: When booking travel, do your research on the local holidays where you are headed!
It has actually worked out fine for us though. The ride to the airport and to Ha Long Bay took half as long as they normally do. We were also able to change our flight and will be leaving a day earlier since none of the tours where running to Sapa and the south west regions.
That just left us with today to find something to do. Most of the museums are still closed but we were able to go to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and museum. It was very interesting for both Kenny and I to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and the process we had to go through to see it.
Now we are back at the hostel planning for the next leg of our trip. We leave tomorrow morning at 6:15am.
Good bye North Vietnam! You have been cold but fun!
The Rock Long Rock Hard Tour
Yesterday brother and I went to Ha Long Bay on a tour put on by our hostel.
We drove four hours outside of Hanoi, through countryside, to get to Ha Long City. We boarded a small boat that took us to a larger boat called the Jolly Rodger.
On board we ate lunch as it left the harbor and head towards the limestone masses enveloped in mist.
It took about an hour to get to out final destination. The weather was overcast and cool but we were assured that the water temperature would still be fine. At this point in the journey we were given the option to jump off the boat. Both Kenny and I took it. The water was not warm. It was actually really cold and salty but how often do you have a chance to go swimming in Ha Long Bay? So I enjoyed it!
After we jumped in, the group went kayaking. We paddled by a couple of islands and went through a little cave. Pretty freaking cool even though the weather wasn't great!
When we got back to our boat we ate dinner and then the drinking games began. I was glad there were two 29 year olds in the room because at that point I started to feel really old.
The rest of the evening stays between Kenny and I but I can assure you that we had a fun evening.
We drove four hours outside of Hanoi, through countryside, to get to Ha Long City. We boarded a small boat that took us to a larger boat called the Jolly Rodger.
On board we ate lunch as it left the harbor and head towards the limestone masses enveloped in mist.
It took about an hour to get to out final destination. The weather was overcast and cool but we were assured that the water temperature would still be fine. At this point in the journey we were given the option to jump off the boat. Both Kenny and I took it. The water was not warm. It was actually really cold and salty but how often do you have a chance to go swimming in Ha Long Bay? So I enjoyed it!
After we jumped in, the group went kayaking. We paddled by a couple of islands and went through a little cave. Pretty freaking cool even though the weather wasn't great!
When we got back to our boat we ate dinner and then the drinking games began. I was glad there were two 29 year olds in the room because at that point I started to feel really old.
The rest of the evening stays between Kenny and I but I can assure you that we had a fun evening.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Catching up over coffee in Hanoi
Nothing is better than sitting on the side of the road. On those little blue stools. Watching people and catching up with my brother.
One thing that is quite cool is how savvy my brother is at negotiating traffic. Calm and steady he walks through the streets. No sudden movements. He crosses streets that locals look concerned about with ease. And no he is not doing it in a dangerous way. It is very apparent that he has picked up a lot from living in Taiwan.
It makes me so proud and actually really comfortable here.
One thing that is quite cool is how savvy my brother is at negotiating traffic. Calm and steady he walks through the streets. No sudden movements. He crosses streets that locals look concerned about with ease. And no he is not doing it in a dangerous way. It is very apparent that he has picked up a lot from living in Taiwan.
It makes me so proud and actually really comfortable here.
Hanoi
I'm here. With my brother. At a super popular hostel in the middle of the city.
After an 11 hour flight from Seattle to Seoul, I made my next flight to Hanoi with less than five minutes to spare.
Phew. Now it is time for me to rest.
After an 11 hour flight from Seattle to Seoul, I made my next flight to Hanoi with less than five minutes to spare.
Phew. Now it is time for me to rest.
Friday, January 20, 2012
At the Airport
Fortunately, the weather here in Seattle decided to settle down and my flight was only delayed by forty minutes.
I'm crossing my fingers that I'm able to catch my second flight in Seoul. I only have an hour layover there. The airlines says I should be alright.
Although I felt really anxious this morning, I think I successfully got everything I need into my traveling backpack. If I forgot anything I'm just going to have to figure it out once I get there!
I'm crossing my fingers that I'm able to catch my second flight in Seoul. I only have an hour layover there. The airlines says I should be alright.
Although I felt really anxious this morning, I think I successfully got everything I need into my traveling backpack. If I forgot anything I'm just going to have to figure it out once I get there!
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