South East Asia

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Thanh An Hostel, Hue, Day 2
September 22, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Ouch! We aren't used to heavy drinking out here and in the morning we both feel the effects of the night before. Getting up slowly, Amy shaves my head (which was a scary ten minutes) and we decide to take a little walk along the river.
We head down a few miles, passing some interesting sights such as the school where Ho Chi Minh studied, which is also the first school built in the modern era in Vietnam. We then head to the Ho Chi Minh museum. It's really intriguing to learn about the life of the man who is so greatly adored out here and some of the stories and exhibitions were great. After that we walked a bit further past a university and a train station, before heading back and getting out of the boiling sun.
We are both very tired and not wanting any beer today so an early night it is!Read more
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Thanh An Hostel, Hue, Day 3
September 23, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
An early night felt very good, and as it gets to around 8 in the morning we are up and ready to go. Our first stop is the Imperial City, and what a place it is. The residence of many of the former emperors is a vast, beautiful small holding contains numerous building of many different sizes and shapes. As soon as you enter you realise you are in for a good time, as the huge, patterned gates loom over you. Huge fish swim in the lakes on either side of you as you wander across bridges and throwing food at them is a great way to see them going crazy. We spend three hours walking around the city, as it is so big, and there is so many things that catch your attention. Whether it's temples, bridges, gardens, lakes, it truly is beautiful. It is hard to put it into your head that these historical figures used to live here and sit in the thrones that stand golden and grand in some of the rooms. A great way to understand and appreciate the history of this place.
Our next stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, and we decide (after some bartering) to jump on a cyclo (if that's what it's called). Our guide, who is called Hue, is good to talk to as he pedals away, pointing out the many temples on the way. It's a lovely ride down the river, and the destination is just as good. The Pagoda stands seven stories high and is surrounded by temples and statues of what we think are warriors. There's also a car that was driven by a monk before he sacrificed himself by setting himself on fire. It only takes around ten minutes to look around, but it's a great place to see.
Hue then cycles us back to the market, which is a bit too mental for us. It's very cramped full of stalls selling all kinds of things. We wander around for around half an hour but soon get fed up of being dragged into stalls and pestered.
On the walk back we feel our legs begin to tire, and are very pleased when we return to the room. I finally get to watch some Premiership tonight, and hopefully we'll feel well enough to have a few beers, unlike yesterday!Read more
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Thanh An Hostel, Hue, Day 4
September 24, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Today we set off in search of the mysterious abandoned water park that has been recommended to us. We have a slow morning after again having a few too many beers last night. We finally got to taste some mojitos though which was good. In our attempt to catch a rock show, we failed, only catching the final song (a Vietnamese cover of Cocaine by Eric Clapton). It was annoying, but we were given free beers because they felt bad for us, so that certainly softened the blow.
We got a taxi to the water park and we were glad we did. The 7km walk we were promised seemed much longer. As you walk onto the park a giant dragon looms over you. It's an eerie place as you walk around past the broken aquarium with all the smashed tanks and look at the walls that are covered in figures of fish and waves that have now faded with time and been covered with graffiti. The story is that the park was built in 2004, but was opened too early and made no money. It was then just given up on and left to rot. There is another story that the crocodiles that were bought for show were just left. We are told they have all been round up and collected, but still don't like walking too near to the lake.
After the impressive dragon, you walk past abandoned cottages that have mostly fallen down, leaving just a frame. We then look at the three slides that now lead to a dirty looking pool. Finally, a theatre area which was designed for shows, but is now just a stage and some worn looking chairs. It's an odd, eerie place.
As we have done a few times in Vietnam, we decide we can walk to the tomb of Ming Mang after the waterpark. Our taxi driver offered to wait at the park, but we declined, and we feel pretty stupid for a while until a woman pulls over and offers us a ride. We get a good price, and sit three on one moped on the journey to tomb. Roy, the moped rider, then agrees to wait for us and drive us to the city as we walk around the impressive tomb.
Much like the citadel, the architecture and sculptures that you walk underneath and around are really beautiful. The fact these places are built as a tribute to past emperors really puts into perspective how much they are adored. They are amazing to see. It takes us around half an hour to travel the full length and it is well worth the 100,000 dong entrance fee.
we have a quiet night after that, eating at Nooks cafe which was delicious and resting up, ready for our final day in Hue tomorrow.Read more
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Thanh An Hostel, Hue, Day 5
September 25, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
A lazy day is due today, so we spend most of the morning in the room planning our next trip, Da Nang. After that we go for a walk around the town and hope to do a bit of shopping. There's not much for men unless you like shirts with brightly coloured fruits all over them, but Amy finds a few new bits.
After that we have a few beers on the night in the various bars we have been to and like, but get another early night, ready for an early morning tomorrow.
PS it is a very early morning for me as I'm up at 2 to watch the Arsenal match. Funny how I can watch more English games on tele here than I can in England.Read more
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Travellers Nest Hostel, Da Nang, Day 1
September 26, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
As the alarm goes off, I have a sudden regret at spending half the night watching football. We drag ourselves up ready for the ride to Da Bang. A but different from our usual uncomfortable cramped buses today as we are on a tour bus that stops off at a few places on the way.
Our first stop is Thanh Toan (probably not what it is correctly called) bridge. It's another beautifully sculptured bit of architecture. We only spend fifteen minutes there (the tour stops are fleeting to say the least) before heading to Lang Co beach. A lovely stretch of white sand and clear water that is the bay on view from Hai Van Pass. The limestone hills in the distance just add to the effect of the beach. It's easy to see why it's often cited as one of the best in the World.
Next up is the Hai Van Pass. A winding mountain side road made famous by Top Gear. It's a long drive and I'm glad I'm not on a moped. Either side the views are great, either looking out over Da Nang or on Lang Co Bay. We get off at the highest point and admire the views.
After that we get to Da Nang and settle into our hotel for a few minutes, before heading to My Khe beach. It's similar to Lang Co Beach, with the rocks on either side and the white sand, and it is great to cool down in the sea (it is a swelteringly hot day).
After that we relax before going to a taco shop and munching down on some of the highly recommended food. It tastes great, and is dirt cheap so we're onto a winner.
Despite getting caught in a downfall on the way home (we hid under an umbrella for five minutes not knowing we were stood outside our hotel) it is a good day, but boy are we ready for some kip!
(Written on the beach)Read more
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Travellers Nest Hostel, Da Nang, Day 2
September 27, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
We are having a beach day! We get up slowly and take advantage of the amazing breakfast this place gives out for free, before heading to the beach. We claim some sunbeds with an umbrella and get ready for a day of relaxing. The beach is lovely, not very busy, and it's great fun to watch the locals doing all kinds of strange poses for photoshoots and the lifeguard constantly walking up and down the beach blowing his whistle because people are swimming in the wrong areas. The sea feels good on another boiling hot day.
After that we relax a bit before going to Tam's cafe. A place highly recommended, mostly for the hostess. The food is Great, Amy finally getting a veggie burger, but Tam is better, filling a few hours with her stories of being a child in the war, and the current state she finds herself and her country in. It's great to sit and listen to and the pictures she has in her seemingly hundreds of photo albums are incredible. Another good day in Vietnam!Read more
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Travellers Nest Hostel, Da Nang, day 3
September 28, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
it's another boiling hot day in Da Nang, but another day sitting on the beach is out the question, so we decide to work off some of the noodles by climbing one of the marble mountains. it is called a mountain, and the sound of an elevator being needed to lift you to the top adds to the daunting feeling we have at the prospect ahead of us, but in reality it's a few steps. The mountain/hill/rock is covered with various temples and statues and caves to look at on the way to the highest peak, which offers wonderful views of the city and the coast. The final cave in particular is breathtaking, with a large statue of Buddha being shone on by the Sun making it's way through a small hole in the top.
After that we walk back down and head to the beach to cool off. Unfortunately the Sun has gone behind the clouds that now seem to cover the sky so we don't stay long.
An eventful day, so we plan on a quiet night. Heading towards a restaurant a Vietnamese man on a bike tries to grab Am's bag from her shoulder. It's quite scary, and happens so quickly, but luckily Amy has a good grip on it and he soon realises he has picked a fight on the wrong person. It's an awful thing to happen, but as nothing was stolen we can later laugh at the look of terror on his face as he drove off, barely managing to keep on his moped.
We walk for what seems like miles trying to find anywhere selling beer of vegetarian food, and we settle on a Mexican place which turns out to be very tasty.
Tomorrow we go to Hoi An, and while Da Nang has lovely beaches, we are more then ready to move.Read more
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Longan Homestay, Hoi An, Day 1
September 29, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Another slow morning as is custom now on moving days. The excitement at getting to Hoi An, which has being so highly recommended, soon drags us out into the heat though, and we board a local bus for the small journey. The bus is pretty cramped to begin with, with me sitting on an oil can for the first ten minutes holding onto the chair in front so I don't topple over.
We soon make it though, and make our way to our homestay. What a place it is. We are led into what looks like an outhouse, and shown a room that is more like a private apartment. It's huge! The location is also perfect for the walk to the famous World Heritage renowned Old Town.
That's where we head for some dinner. Lao Cau (probably spelt wrong) for me, a local dish that is very tasty. The town itself is beautiful, and we spend hours walking around at the old buildings and hundreds of small shops selling anything and everything. We walk over the Japanses bridge and go into another temple that stands in the heart of the city, before heading back for some rest.
It is in the night, when this place truly comes alive. Lanterns shine over all the streets, giving them a magical feel, and the river is lit up beautifully by the boats gliding slowly down it and the candles you can buy to let drift in. Hundreds of people walk through the market, and it feels great to be somewhere like this after Da Nang, There is just so much going on. We have a few beers and enjoy the relaxed nature of the place. Everyone has said it is amazing, and no-one was lying!Read more
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Longan Homestay, Hoi An, Day 2
September 30, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
After getting up slowly again we head into the old town for breakfast. It is great to be so close to it as it is truly great to walk around at any time of the day. We decide to have some rest after our food and head back, before setting off again mid afternoon.
As we walk into the town, we use some of the tickets on our main old town ticket to get into historical relics. Firstly, we visit an ancient house that was built over 200 years ago. It could have been really interesting, but the fact every room was now a shop with someone selling something kind of took the interest out of it.
After that we went to a small photo gallery/museum which contained the work of rehnan. He had travelled all over Vietnam taking shots of the various tribes and taking there tribal clothing to show. The clothes and information was great but the pictures were the best part. Huge and unbelievably clear.
We decided to eat tea at the market which was very tasty (apart from some banana pancakes when the woman selling them charged us double) and had a few beers before heading to the guitar Hawaii Bar. The live band were great, even if all the music was Vietnamese!Read more
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Longan Homestay, Hoi An, Day 3
October 1, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Apparently one of the things that you must do in Hoi An is rent a couple of bicycles and go ona ride through the nearby countryside, so that's what we decide to do today. We head off early and get breakfast on the way. The first mile or so is pretty tricky, with the road either full of beeping cars and mopeds flying past you or being remade so full of tar and dust. At one point the road is only half open so it is a tight squeeze, of course the local drivers see no problem in overtaking though!
It's a relief when we finally get off the main road and ride onto the muddy tracks around the fields that is so familiar to us after spending time in the North. The scenery isn't as spectacular as most of the places we have been, but it is always fun to ride through the villages and alongside the rivers. It's good to get out of the chaos of the city and the old town especially.
After we have ridden around for a bit we head to the beach to see how far it is (not very). It's incredibly hot so we chill out in a restaurant. A tourist is struggling with the heat, which shows us again how important it is to stay hydrated out here.
After that we head back, and soon make our way through the traffic lights and busy streets, with tar from our tyres flicking up at our legs as we ride, and back to the lovely hotel room. Arsenal are playing so w head into the old town and find somewhere cheap to watch the game. I get a Satay which is the spiciest thing I have eaten so far (strangely). After that we head back for a quiet night. We're meant to be checking out tomorrow, but we decided to stay another three nights. We're not done with Hoi An yet!Read more
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Longan Homestsay, Hoi An, Day 4
October 2, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The sound of rain is actually quite a relief when we wake up. It's always nice to have a lazy day when you're trying to fill every day with stuff, so the rain is a perfect excuse to take one. We only venture outside in the morning to get food, including a cup of coffee served in a biscuit that you then eat afterwards. The biscuit is good, but I am really craving some Nescafe out here.
After that we retire to the room and listen to the rain as we try and devise some plans to make money. Amy is ready to teach. I am read to write. Hopefully in some time we will be able to earn a bit of cash by doing these (I feel Amy will be more successful then me).
We go for a small walk just to get some exercise and feel like we have done something with our day, before eating tea and heading back to the room. An early start for the cooking class tomorrow!Read more
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Longan Homestay, Hoi An, Day 5
October 3, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Finally we are going to learn how to cook some of the dishes we are eating out here. It's raining again and there's a nervous few minutes stood outside wondering if the taxi was coming. eventually we find Trang, who gets us in the back of a taxi and takes us to the market. It's hectic, crazy, smelly, and really good fun. Trang works her way from stall to stall telling us everything she is buying and showing us how it's done out here. The meat section is pretty grim, with pig legs and snouts in full show, but eventually the rain stops and we head onto a boat for the journey to the cooking centre.
It's a quick ride and before we know it we're into another taxi for round five minutes before getting into some rowing boats for the final leg of the journey. We drift down the river and watch the ducks that seem to be putting on a show for us. Finally, we reach the cooking school which is already set up for us to go.
First off, we get the Pho ready for the two hours of boiling the broth needs. After that we get down to the nitty gritty. First up fresh rolls, which seem pretty easy, and come out looking good. Our confidence is high as we head into the crispy pancakes. Again, they come out well, despite my hob being pretty weak. We both manage to flip them twice with no disaster and they taste amazing!
The two starters were the easy bit we soon learn, as we are showed the beef salad (fish for Amy). The first bit is pretty easy, assembling salad into a pattern, but after that it's all frying and fire. Unfortunately (maybe) my fire doesn't rise out of the pan as I jump the gun and the oil isn't hot enough. Again though, the final product looks and tastes delicious. Finally we get to eat the Pho which as all Pho does out here, tastes delicious. We're then sent home in a minivan with a lot more knowledge on cooking Vietnamese dishes then we had when we were stood in the rain waiting for Trang this morning.
After chilling out for a few hours, we head into th old town for the lantern festival. Apparently, once a month (on the full moon) most of the lights in the town are turned off and only some lanterns remain. It's strange at first, and very beautiful, but the novelty soon wears off. I think it is more for the Vietnamese who find it a very religious time. After a few beers we're ready to get some food and go back.
We stop in a restaurant, mostly because a huge traffic jam (first we've seen) is blocking most of the road and path. There must be a hundred mopeds battling for room to turn round. I guess something to do with the festival has bought them all here, but most go home disappointed. The restaurant we eat in is family run and one of not many open (again, we guess due to the festival) but the food is good and we go home happy, ready for a beach day tomorrow.Read more
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Longman Homestay, Hoi An, Day 6
October 4, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We decide to check out An Bang beach. It seems to be the main beach to go in Hoi An and after our short visit a couple of days ago, we (mostly Amy) are keen to go back.
We jump in a taxi, deciding the ride wasn't quite enjoyable enough to warrant another go, and are soon laid on our towels in the boiling heat. It's different to Da Nang, It's a lot busier and the sea seems a lot closer (probably due to most of it not being closed off). After around 3 hours I've had enough, but we stay for another hour until we see the black clouds in the distance. We get another cab back and are soon admiring our burnt bits in the mirror.
It's our final night in Hoi An, and we decide to go back to the veggie place we ate a few nights ago. We order fried wonton which tastes great, but the banana leaf salad and turmeric noodles aren't to Amy's taste. We end up in the bakery near our Homestay, eating fried eggs on toast. You can take the girl out of England etc.....
After catching up on bake off, we get to sleep, ready for a trip to Quy Nhon tomorrow.Read more
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Life's a Beach, Quy Nhon, Day 1
October 5, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
It seems a long time since we've had a day of travelling, with the relatively short distances between Hue, Dan Ang and Hoi An not really counting. So It's strange to finally get another long ride in. We had forgotten how these journeys can be, but we soon learn.
We pack quickly, something we are definitely getting better at, and get picked up at 11am. The mini van we are shoved into is smaller then expected with no air con, but we seem to be the only passengers with plenty of leg room, so It's quite annoying when we are taken off and told to wait for another. Eventually the minibus comes, and we are shoved onto the back row inbetween two locals. Our bags are wedged beneath our feet and the air con doesn't seem to be making much effect on the heat. It's not a good start.
The journey should last around four to five hours, but our driver moves like he wants to get there in a third of that. The way he dodges in and out of traffic as lorries and buses come in our direction is nothing short of terrifying. We spend half the journey peeking through our fingers at the madness of the roads and the other half eating coconut bread (yum). Fortunately for us, we soon get to a point where most people get off, and we finally get some leg room and breathing space. The rest of the journey goes quickly, and after fighting off the crazy taxi drivers and trying to order cokes to a woman who didn't have a clue what we were talking about (god bless google) we arrive at the hostel.
Wow
Everything we have been through today is immediately worth it. It's like a picture from a travel brochure. The room is basic, but it's the surroundings that make it so special. A private beach is a few steps away, and we can hear the waves lapping against the white sand as we sit in the bar taking advantage of the cheap beer. It is the most beautiful place we have been so far, and completely unexpected for a place we viewed only as a stopover between here and Nha Trang. The bar is pretty full, and the music is good. There's no wifi to distract anyone, just everyone having a good time and enjoying the place we are in. We are both in good spirits as the barman beats us multiple times at connect 4. What a place. The closest to paradise we have come yet, and a place so tranquil and relaxed, it would be amiss to move on after the originally planned 2 nights.Read more
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Life's a Beach, Quy Nhon, Days 2 to 5
October 9, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
So the last four days have been spent doing not much at all. Apart from one day when we ventured into the surprisingly lovely town to reload our stock of toiletries and money, which involved a few local bus journeys which are always interesting, we have been laying on the beach or in a hammock getting some much needed rest.
The hostel was great, everything we could have asked for. Hours were spent in the bar drinking the cheap beer and playing the very competitive barman at connect 4 and pool.
On the third day I felt very achey and was worried that dengue fever had set in after getting a few mosquito bites, but it turned out to be nothing but a stomach bug.
One of the best things about this place were the waves that crashed onto the secluded private beach. It was great fun to swim in the water and try not to be sent flying by them. Amy tried to climb into a rubber ring just as one broke and soon was sent onto her back.
There has been no wifi at all and no distractions, and the shared bathrooms weren't bad either! All in all a great place to stay and relax for a few days. Now, with our batteries recharged, we are ready to head to Nha Trang.Read more
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Ihome Hostel, Nha Trang, Day 1
October 10, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
So it is finally time to leave the lovely Life's a Beach. Thankfully the stomach bug that we both have is gone so it's a safe, although typically cramped and crazy journey to Nha Trang. It's a town we've not heard great things about, and we have decided to follow some advice from a fellow traveller and stay in the hostel.
The room is very small. We are sharing with two lads from Birmingham, a dreadlocked German who wants Amy's bed, and an American who weirdly turns up for about ten minutes a day. The hostel is nice though once you leave the room and we have some food and prepare for the happy hour.
It's free beer for an hour, and we smash them down, fully taking advantage. After that it all gets blurry. Buckets of unknown spirits, more beer, shots, and before we know it we are wandering around Nha Trang with a big crowd of fellow revellers. We've not seen much of the actual town yet, but we will hopefully feel well enough to do that tomorrow.Read more
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Ihome Hostel, Nha Trang, Day 2
October 11, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Ouch. We both wake up feeling the effects of the night before. Our heads hurt, and Amy spends most of the morning throwing up into the toilet. It doesn't help that when we did try to sleep we were kept up by someone knocking on the door trying to get in. A rough morning, and we don't even get to fully take advantage of the free all you can eat breakfast on offer. After one plate we're done.
It doesn't take us long to decide that we're not in a fit state to do much exercise today's so a day on the beach it is. We chill out for a few hours before getting food and heading back. It's about 3 o clock when we lay on a sunbed, and then before we know it the sun is setting and we've been asleep a couple of hours. Luckily no-one took any of our stuff, and we finally feel more alive.
Not alive enough to have another night on the booze though, so we go our for a nice meal and have a quiet night.
We soon learn nothing makes you feel older then listening to a crowded bar of drunk people while you're in bed watching bake off, but after last night it feels good. Soon enough we fall asleep, and hopefully we will make it throughout the night this time.Read more
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Nha Trang Inn, Nha Trang, Day 1
October 12, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
As morning rolls by we are both desperate to leave the dorm and get the privacy of a private room. We find one for the same price we are spending here and so move there when our free breakfast goes down. It's so much better to be in a large room on our own, where you can talk without feeling bad about waking someone up and the bathroom isn't covered in small hairs.
After we have spent a bit of time in the room we head out to the Cham towers. There are three temples all built around 400 years ago (I think) and it is really interesting to see the architecture and design of them. After that we walk back aiming for a cathedral.
On the way we walk past what looks like a pretty bad accident. Someone is laying in the street surrounding by a crowd of people who are watching very closely (wierdos). It doesn't look Good, but we don't stick around for long.
After that we go to the cathedral and walk around the outside. It is again a very nice piece of architecture, but nothing on some you can see in England.
A quiet night was in store after that, and it is so nice to not have to share a bedroom with four other people. We will sleep well tonight!Read more
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Nha Trang Inn, Nha Trang, Day 2
October 13, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Today we get up pretty early and head off to the Long Son Pagoda. It is a half an hour walk and we soon arrive and enjoy a very good (and very cheap) bowl of vegetable pho. After that we take the small walk up the steps to see the giant statue of Buddha that the smaller temples below are based around. It was absolutely massive! Unfortunately some of the other sights were closed off, so we walked back slowly, making sure Amy got to see the guinea pigs in a pet shop that she noticed on the way.
After that we chilled out for the afternoon sleeping and doing some well needed cleaning up after going so long sharing a bathroom.
We then went out to get some pizza and had a drink in a cool rock bar, before we went back for a quiet night, before snorkelling tomorrow.Read more
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Nha Trang Inn, Nha Trang, Day 3
October 14, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
An early wake up today as we head out snorkelling. We get picked up and taking to the docks, where we wait half an hour before setting off on a long journey to the snorkelling spot.
After a few minutes of being under water everyone notices something strange. We are all getting stung. At first we can't see why, but as we get closer to the coral we notice hundreds of jellyfish swarming around. We swim through them for a bit as they are only small and we feel they may not be too bad, but the overall number of them is too much to take in the end and we all soon get back on the boat and nurse our wounds.
We move to a different spot, and again get in, this time wary of anything resembling a jellyfish. This spot is a lot better thank God, and we actually get some time swimming around the coral and the fish without being stung. It's a great coral, and some of the fish are beautiful, coming in all sizes and colours. After around 45 minutes we are back on the boat, and are served a feast of food. It's a lovely meal, and one much needed after the morning swimming.
It tires us out and we spend the rest of the day relaxing (apart from eating a lovely fish and chips) and get ready for another day on a bus tomorrow.Read more
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Tay Backpacker Hostel, Da lat, Day 1
October 15, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
So it's time to leave Nha Trang, and I would say we are definitely ready to go. It's been nice, but five days is enough. We get onto a bus, which is a lot better then previous ones we have been on, and set off inland.
The ride is really great, driving up mountain roads. As we look out of the window we soon realise we are in the clouds, and it's a really eerie but great view. The bus takes about four hours and does the usual blind corner overtakes, but it's not the worse.
Then we get to Da Lat. And it's cold. Like, I expected it to be slightly cooler, but as we arrive at the hostel we both put hoodies on. It is such a relief to finally be out of the heat and somewhere comfortable.
It's late afternoon when we get here so we settle onto the hostel and sit down for dinner that is cooked for us. Seven of us in total enjoy the hot pot that is cooked for us. After that it is beer pong competition time, which Amy wins with Leo, an Israeli. She wins a pretty cool vest, and lots of bragging rights as she beat my team in the final.
Travelling takes it out of us though, so we are in bed pretty early, ready to explore Da Lat tomorrow.Read more
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Tay Backpacker Hostel, Da Lat, Day 2
October 16, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
The early night yesterday means we are feeling fresh today. We get up and enjoy the free breakfast (banana pancakes) and head out to the crazy house. It is a weird, Disney-esque set of buildings that you climb around and over. The views from the top are great, and the place itself is fun to walk round.
After that we head to a lake suggested to us. It's about a two mile walk, but it doesn't seem too nice as the views are great and the weather is cool.
We try to get into a pagoda but have forgotten our long clothes to cover our knees so don't go in. It is very annoying when you see tourists in small clothes in these places. It is complete disrespect in my opinion, and I would feel awful at being in there dressed like that. (Rant over)
So we go to the lake, which is lovely. After a bit of time walking around we eat some food and plan to get a cab back. Unfortunately there are none so a long walk home it is. It takes about an hour, but by the time we get home we are ready for a rest.
As night draws in we have another lovely family dinner, followed by more drinking games, followed by a trip to a couple of bars. One of the bars is the maze bar, another weird building similar to the crazy house. As you walk in you try and gomet to the top by climbing through different holes and up different staircases. The walls are adorned with weird paintings and sculptures. It's a strange place, especially after a few beers. It's a good night though, and lasts into Tuesday morning. It will not feel as fun the morning after.Read more
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Tay Backpacker Hostel, Da Lat, Day 3
October 17, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
So as predicted we both wake up with pretty sore heads today after last night. We manage to make breakfast (Amy wasn't going to until she found out it was fried eggs) but retire back to the room for another few hours after eating.
When we feel more human we head for the cable cars. It's another long walk and after yesterday we are both pretty knackered (due to the walking and boozing) so it's nice when we finally get into the small cab. It doesn't last long which is nice as it's pretty scary, but the views are great, looking out other Da Lat and over the mountains and forests that surround it. We hear it's cool on the other side, but when we get there we realise we have made a slight mistake.
On our walk yesterday we completely walked past the cable car station, which is at the temple we couldn't get in. So we make the journey on the cable car and end up exactly where we were yesterday.
Luckily we weren't correctly dressed to get into the Buddhist temple complex then so we go in now. It's a cool place, with lots of monks wandering about and a nice lake.
After visiting the temple we head back on the cable car, it doesn't seem as scary now we've already made one journey, and get a taxi to Huan Xuong lake, where we take an annoyingly squeaky ride on a pedalo, before heading back to the hostel. We then chill out for the rest of the night before having another huge family dinner and heading back to the room to watch a film. No booze!Read more
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Tay Backpacker Hostel, Da Lat, Day 4
October 18, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 27 °C
We have another lazy morning despite having a more relaxed night last night, before heading out to Luc Phuong (probably spelt wrong) temple. Also known as the temple of glass, which is far easier to spell.
It is a ridiculous place, in a good way. After jumping off the local bus we head down a small alleyway and are confronted with several huge buildings all very brightly decorated with huge sculptures and figures. It is by far the best temple we have seen so far, and it is hard to do it justice with words and pictures. It is truly beautiful and we spend nearly two hours just walking around.
First there's a huge temple with a big Buddha statue at the end. We walk around this and look at the intricate patterns on all the walls as you walk up. Then we head into a seven story pagoda which leads onto another temple which is equally as breathtaking as the first.
Then we head to hell. Something that I think is put in to warn people where they will go if they commit sins, it's an eerie walk through a hallway with cages filled with spooky figures on each side and loud music and screams filling our ears. It's an odd place and we soon get out.
Overall though, it is a great place and a joy to walk around (apart from hell). I could drone on about it for hours.
So back on the local bus and back to the hostel. No family dinner tonight so we head out to eat, before Amy head to the market with some friends and I head our for some beers with a couple of guys from the hostel. Our final day in the cool weather, and it was a bloody good one!Read more
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Mui Ne Hills Bliss, Mui Ne, Day 1
October 19, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We get up slowly again. I'm feeling pretty fresh after the beers last night so we make it to breakfast before chilling out and packing until check out time. We head to the bakery near our hostel which is gorgeous and cheap (50p a baguette!) And wait for our bus. We pass the time by playing table football and playing with the cute puppy.
It comes half an hour late and then waits a few minutes near our hostel for another half an hour before we finally set off. It's a typically crazy but beautiful journey. Some of the views of the hills on the distance as we drive down the mountain side are stunning, in my opinion better then the hai van pass.
After that we get the hotel expecting a cheap budget room but instead are upgraded for free to an awesome 3 star room. It's great. So great we go out briefly for a meal before going back to the room and chilling out. We could get used to this!Read more
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