• Matt and Amy's Adventure
  • Matt and Amy's Adventure

South East Asia

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    20 sierpnia 2017

    Hanoi Meracus 2 Day 1

    20 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    What a couple of days it has been. As we dragged ourselves out of bed at two o clock yesterday morning, both of us were not prepared for the ordeal we were about to face. But, three flights and around 30 hours later, we are sat drinking cold beers on our hotel bed, and the drunken men on the plane and delayed flights seem like they happened a long time ago.
    It started with a short trip to Copenhagen which went quickly due to us both sleeping most of the way. That was the calm before the storm.
    Next up, 11 hours on a plane from Denmark to Bangkok, and we both learnt very quickly that 11 hours is a very long time. Whether it be a the scariest looking man in the World sitting three seats away, or the incredibly drunk and incredibly talkative man sat in the seat next to Amy (thankfully for me), the first few hours certainly dragged. As if sent from heaven, the smell of aeroplane food soon filled our nostrils. The disappointment when we found out we weren't getting any made our hunger ten times worse then it previously was. 30 euros and two sandwiches later, we decided it was time to resort to the drugs. A melationin tablet later and we awoke with half the time left, and after a few films we were finally i Bangkok, ready for the easy trip to Hanoi.
    Three hours to boarding, our flight is cancelled. We brace ourselves for the worst, but soon find out we only have a two hour delay. Not ideal, but after an 11 hour flight certainly not nice. Seven hours after leaving the flight from hell, and one smashed iPhone later (Amy's fault, not mine), we board the small plane to Hanoi. We are sat near the emergency exits, which means extra leg room. The flight is two hours long and we sleep through most of it, before finally reaching Hanoi!
    The drive to the hotel is an eye opener. Horns blare every second as cars fly by each other, sometimes inches away from a crash. Mopeds fly through every gap they see, and we both close our eyes and prey for the best. It is something that will take getting used to, but it seems every one driving already has. The chaos we feel seems perfectly normal to them, and they all drive as calmly as we do at home, despite the crazy conditions.
    We eventually make it to the hotel, which after the previous 30 hours is a Godsend. The Hanoi Meracus 2 is lovely. The staff treat us very well, and the tranquillity you get from walking off the busy street into the peaceful foyer seems unreal.
    Time for our first taste of Pho. Let the adventure begin!
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  • Hanoi Meracus Day 2

    21 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Our first full day in Hanoi and already the hustle and bustle we witnessed on the way in yesterday seems less chaotic. After a few attempts we realised crossing the roads needed a bit of patience and a bit of bravery and that's about it. After we got the hang of it, we set off exploring Hanoi. First, Hoan Kiem lake. We took a morning stroll around the lake, getting great views of the Ngoc Son Temple. The sun was boiling, but a soft breeze came off the lake which felt like bliss when sat on the side. Despite the chaotic nature of this city, when sat on the lake with the breeze blowing into your face, it felt calm, as if we had walked miles and not metres from our hotel.
    After the walk we took a long stroll to Hao Lo Prison. It is hard to describe the prison. Interesting and harrowing in equal measure. It put into great insight what the people of Vietnam have suffered and pays testament to the people who fought the cruelty of the French colonies and treated the American prisoner of wars so kindly, even allowing them basketball games and Christmas celebrations.
    We then went to eat. After a meal of noodle last night and Pad Thai for breakfast (with a side of spring rolls) we decided to try Pho, a Vietnamese dish consisting of rice noodles in a broth with strips of beef. It did not disappoint, full of flavour. Now just to learn how to use chopsticks!
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  • Hanoi Meracus Day 3

    22 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Both of us started the morning feeling the effects of the long travel and the cheap Hanoi beer this morning. We didn't step into the almost unbearable heat of Hanoi until early afternoon. We headed to the train street, which was as crazy as it sounds. The train didn't come when we thought it would (half 3) but it was still great to see the houses bordering the line by metres. the heat was ridiculous so it was a relief when we got to sit inside for a water puppet show. Despite not really knowing what was going on as the dialogue was Vietnamese, it was still an impressive sight.
    As night drew in, we felt fresh enough to go out drinking again and met up with Mark and Rosie, who were an english couple we met the previous night. Beer followed beer until we were all pretty drunk. There was a moment of concern when Amy fell down the stairs in the bar, but apart from a few bruises on the arms, we all lived to survive another hot, sweaty day in Hanoi.
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  • Hanoi Serenity Hotel Day 1

    23 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    A quiet final day in Hanoi. We decided to stay another night in a different (cheaper) hotel so I could buy a replacement phone (mine still didn't work after days of searching the internet for solutions) and we ended up finding one for cheap. We went for a walk towards the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum but couldn't get in due to Amy's shoulders being on show. After that we went out for a final meal in Hanoi, before getting an early night, ready for an early pick up for the bus to Sapa tomorrow! Hanoi has been great, but we are both very ready to go somewhere less crazy and less hot! Czytaj więcej

  • Sapa Classic Hotel Day 1

    24 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    An early get up for the five and a half hour journey to Sapa. After worrying the bus wouldn't turn up, we were pleasantly surprised to board a spacious, cool (which is a Godsend after 4 days in Hanoi) sleeper bus. As we sat back and relaxed it felt great to leave the madness and delve into the Northern countryside. Hotels and restaurants soon gave way to huge green fields and giant hills and before we knew it, we were stepping out into the rain in Sapa.
    This is more like it! The hills tower in the distance with clouds floating at the peaks. Sapa is much smaller than Hanoi, but it doesn't mean there's nothing going on. After a walk around the town and the lake that is attached to it, we make the most of the many happy hour deals and have a few well deserved beers after a day of travelling. Finally another bowl of Pho, which we can't get enough of, and we go to bed, hoping for a long sleep before a long day of trekking tomorrow.
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  • Sapa Classic Hotel Day 2

    25 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    What a day! We get up early to make the most of the free breakfast and head out into the cool, foggy morning. We head to Cat Cat Village, which offers breathtaking views on the way. Local tribes still live in the village, and walking round it is nothing short of amazing. If it's not the hills in the distance, it is the local way of life and surrounding fields that catches your attention. It truly is a remarkable place. After 4 hours of walking up and down hills though, our legs are ready for a rest, so we go back to the hotel, book another 2 nights in Sapa because we love it so much, and decide to have a quiet night. Czytaj więcej

  • Sapa Cloudy Mountains Hostel Day 1

    26 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Another day, another hotel. We make the early morning trek across the town to our new home for the next two nights. For £3.50 we arrive at a nice hostel, can't complain! Eager to explore we decide to head towards Silver Waterfall, we are told it is a 7km walk away, however 3 hours of uphill side of the road trekking we are still 2 miles away! After being chased by barking, manic dogs we are starting to feel fed up. Luckily, 2 Australian men pull up beside us, in surprise that we were still walking, offer us a lift to the waterfall. The waterfall was nice, but the views on the way were much better.
    On the way home, I am feeling very grumpy and decide that a taxi would be much more sensible. We hijack a tour that is stopped at the waterfall. They take us to lots of viewpoints, including the highest point of the road which offered truly stunning views. It's going to take a while to adjust to being so English and pale - I will never forget being pushed into a rose bush for lots of selfies with a Vietnamese woman!
    6 hours later we finally arrive back at the hotel. We rest our tired legs before going out for tea. Matt finally succumbs to eating Western food again and orders a burger. I have seen some sights that I will not forget any time soon. Gorgeous, little tribe children from the surrounding villages performed dances in the market to earn money for their families - a whole world away from the children taught at Gillshill.
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  • Sapa Cloudy Mountains Hostel Day 2

    27 sierpnia 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Ouch. Today we have learnt a few valuable lessons.
    1) Sun cream. Always.
    2) If tour guides trek 5 miles with you, they are not doing it for the conversation.
    Anyway, £20 worse off and ready for a painful nights sleep we will not make these mistakes again!
    The day started off with a failed quest to hire a moped - another trek it is. We decided to head towards Muong Hoa Valley and the surrounding villages. The hike was much more pleasant today, compared to our roadside walk yesterday. The views again were unbelievable and we were blown away by the beauty of the countryside.
    After another long day of walking though, our legs told us not to attempt the uphill back to Sapa. We jumped on two mopeds, which were cheap but scary, and finally made it back to the hotel late in the afternoon.
    As night drew in, we watched some locals play football and then enjoyed our last meal in Sapa. 7 o'clock tomorrow we head to Ha Giang!
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  • Son thuy home stay day 1 to 7

    3 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Our trip has come to a slight pause here in Ha Giang. We arrived tired after a cramped 8 hour bus ride, and annoyed at being dropped half an hours walk from our home stay. As we walked in though, we suddenly felt better. Despite the builders doing work on the building, it was a lovely place, and the family were very welcoming.
    The first night was an eye opener. A group of Vietnamese men invited us to eat with them after we had ordered double what we meant to by accident only an hour before. After forcing down more food, including what Matt thought was mushroom but turned out to be frog, we were shown the wonders of corn wine. Tastes like tequila, but a little weaker (thank god). It seemed to be every minute that we were asked to do another shot! As we turned down an offer for a night of karaoke, the family who own the house offered us some beers. We were happy to accept, and soon found ourselves drinking beers with them and eating more food!
    The next day we decided would be a rest day after all the alcohol consumed the night before and all the walking in sapa. We didn't realise at this point just how many rest days we would be having here.
    As the third day rolled round, we decided to rent a moped and explore the mountains of northern Vietnam. An easy task for a first time rider. Or maybe not as we soon learnt. About an hour in we fall down, Amy and the moped landing on me. Luckily a garage up the road fix the bike for pennies and a nice woman heals my wounds (for the first time).
    The next day I'm in the hospital getting a tetanus injection and realising I am in more pain then I thought. Luckily the weather's good and there is a pool to dip in (for amy).
    Friday comes round and my foot has swollen a lot! Of all the places to be in this much pain though, this is a good one. The family look after me and the days are good fun!
    Saturday is national Vietnam day! We walk downstairs unaware of the party we are walking into. More corn wine and good food (despite Amy now being a vegetarian after a very early morning killing of a pig that we could hear in our room) and offers of trips through the mountains. My foot needs rest though, so we decline and retire back to the pool for another day of sun.
    Sunday my foot feels slightly better and we decide it's nearly time to move on. The final night is spent like most of the others, drinking beer and eating food we don't really recognise. Tonight's menu was oysters and mushrooms. We will miss this place!
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  • Misa Hotel Hanoi Day 1

    4 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We finally left Son Thuy this morning and headed back to Hanoi. It was sad to leave, as we had gotten really comfortable there with the surroundings and people. The price of staying there for the full week was under 30 pound each, which is crazy when you think of how much we ate and drank. But onwards we go, and our first stop is Hanoi on our way to the coast (finally!)
    Another sleeper bus, this time for seven hours as Amy got froze to death by dodgy air con and I got my leg hairs pulled by a young Vietnamese boy. We were glad to get off, and were even happier when we found out we were right outside the hotel. The room is nice and while we loved Son Thuy, new surroundings are nice. A quiet night tonight, as we go to feed Amy's craving for pizza.
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  • Alex Hotel, Halong Bay day 1

    5 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    On the move again today. We were considering staying for another night however, after the chaos of trying to find food on the busy streets of Hanoi last night, and settling for a supermarket ready meal complete with christmas songs, we couldn't face another day and decided to move on. After a late morning we walked to the bus station ready to struggle and find a bus to Halong Bay. Within seconds we were bundled onto a bus promising us it will take us there. We were dubious at how easy we had done it, but everything turned it well, with both of us getting there for under 2 pound each. It was another long day of travelling, and we didn't arrive in Halong until late afternoon. We checked into the hotel and finally got to feed Amy's pizza cravings, after failing last night.
    The glimpse of Halong Bay we have had is breathtaking and we are both very excited for a cruise or a day on the beach soon. We drink a few beers in the curiously empty bars and get an early night, ready to fully experience the beauty of this place in the morning.
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  • Alex Hotel, Halong Bay day 2

    6 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Our first full day in Halong and we decide to hunt for the coast. We haven't seen it yet and feel a day at the beach is definitely in order. Luckily for us we find the beach is a short walk from our hotel room, and what a beach it is. Long white sand gives way go a emerald looking sea. It feels great to finally get our bodies in some salt water. In the distance the rocks of Halong bay look sinister under thick black clouds, but the rain doesn't reach us too much. On the afternoon the sun comes out and we really start to feel like we're on holiday.
    We go to the backpacker hostel bar which is by and far the best place for food and drink we have found in the rather quiet Halong City and get ready for a ferry to Cat Ba Island tomorrow!
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  • Nuom Phong, Cat Ba Island Day 1

    7 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After looking at the prices of the Halong Bay cruises, we decided to skip them go the biggest island of them all, Cat Ba.
    The morning started early, getting to the ferry terminal to soon find out we had to wait a couple of hours for the ferry. The wait was worth it though, as we drifted slowly past the rocks that make up this place! It was truly beautiful and unfortunately no picture we took could do them justice.
    As we arrived and were bustled onto a crammed and stuffy bus for the trip to town, we realised we had made a good choice coming here. The scenery was beautiful and mostly deserted.
    We dropped our bags off and went to the beach (which is where I am writing this). It was busier then halong with more tourists so is a lot more comfortable.
    We took the short but uphill walk to cannon fort next. Hard on the legs but great on the eyes when you reach the top. It is the old outlook posts for the Vietnam anti aircraft gunners, and offers great views of the bay and the islands that lay off it.
    After that we felt we had earned a few beers, so went to the oasis bar, which is probably the best bar we've been in veitnam, serving the best food we've eaten in vietnam. When the beer is 10,000 dong (35p) it's very hard to complain!
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  • Nuom Phong, Cat Ba Island Day 2

    8 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Our first full day in Cat Ba and we immediately decided that the only way to get around this gorgeous island is by bike. We climb back on and take it very slowly, which is kind of nice as we can take in the scenery around us.
    Our trip today is to the national park. As we get in it all looks a bit odd. There are three monkeys trapped in bare cages and a weird taxidermy building with most of the animals falling apart. But that's not why we're here. The trek we decided to go on is apparently the easy one. It's only a mile long, but the mile consists of climbing up steps and rocks through the deep, humid jungle. Wildlife runs about all around you. We see lizards, snakes, squirrels, a crab (bizarrely) but thankfully none of the spiders that live here (despite there being many big webs). It takes us about two hours to reach the top, and we are drenched. The views make it all seem worthwhile though, as we look out across Cat Ba and all its natural beauty.
    Amy doesn't look happy when I tell her there's another viewpoint a bit further up, but we make the short walk there anyway, where a rock is all you sit on as you look over the landscape from even higher up. The walk back seems a lot easier despite our legs getting wobblier by the minute. Thank God we had a moped to take us back!
    We drive straight to the beach for a cool off and to relax, unfortunately Amy has picked up 31 bites through her leggings on the walk so relaxing isn't really on the menu. We go back to the room loaded with tiger balm and go out for a meal in oasis bar again, before getting an early night, ready for a day on the seas tomorrow!
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  • Nuom Phong Cat Ba Island Day 3

    9 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today was spent exploring the beautiful surrounding islands of Cat Ba. We got up early and headed to the office expecting a crowded reception. Luckily for us though, we had picked a day with only seven people on it. One of these people was Kev, a man whose job was to travel the world scouting activities for young kids to come and do. And boy did he talk about that. A lot.
    We set off at 8.30 and enjoyed a few hours of happy sailing past the floating villages. It's amazing to think people actually live on these places but they do, and they have very scary dogs that we were told to stay well clear of.
    Just as we were getting the hang of kayaking (as long as I was steering) the heavens opened. We hid on a beach under a rock as the rain poured down. Thunder that was so loud it sounded like a gun going off next to you shook us all as we huddled under the rock trying to stay warm.
    Finally though, after about an hour, the rain stopped and we headed back to the boat for some food. We got out again in the afternoon, as did the sun, and we spent it exploring the secret lagoons and beaches that surround Cat Ba. It was truly beautiful to sit on the calm water and listen to the wildlife and the waves.
    As we got back at around 5.30, we were tired. Amy was so tired she couldn't face going out for tea, so I went to get pizza and bought it back for her. I guess I owed her for looking after me in Ha Giang!
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  • King Kong Hostel, Ninh Binh Day 1

    11 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    So another early morning and another day of travelling. It sounds simple, get up, pay off the hotel and then get on the bus. Of course, nothing is easy over here.
    The hotel doesn't take card, so I get on a moped and frantically try and get cash. Just as I am out the heavens open again in true Vietnam style. Within minutes I'm biking through a river trying to hunt down a cash machine that works. After three attempts I find one and finally pay off the hotel. Time to leave Cat Ba.
    We get on the bus, which takes us to a boat, which takes us to a bus, which takes us to a bus. After around five hours, not a bad trip compared to our others, we arrive in Tam Coc. We immediately love it. It has the nickname Halong Bay on land, and we can see why. The huge limestone rocks that stand tall in Halong and Lan Ha are just as prominent here on land. Travelling takes it out of you though, so after a few beers and a small walk we are ready for a bed. Free breakfast in the hostel means another early morning!
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  • King Kong Hostel, Ninh Binh, day 2

    12 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We like this place! Already we both feel like we have had a better nights sleep then we got at Cat Ba. The free breakfast is a fruity bread kind of thing that looks weird but tastes great so can't complain. After that we rent a bicycle each and head out. It's only about 9 o clock and we have a long day ahead.
    Biking through the quiet streets of Tam Coc is brilliant. The limestone rocks loom overhead as buffalos graze in the muddy water metres from us. You can be on a busy street one minute and feel like the only two people in the World the next. The Sun beats down and we are both covered in sweat as we arrive in Trang An, not really sure where we are or how we got here. An English couple point us in the direction of a boat ride and boy am i glad they did. Two and a half hours pass quickly as a poor Vietnamese lady rows us and a couple of German girls through the caves and streams of this amazing place. We duck as rocks fly by our heads as we slowly drift underneath the rocks (I only hit my head once which is good for me). We also get a glimpse of the temples that are adorned with jewels and statues (and cans of red bull??)
    It's soon mid afternoon, and as we head home we decide to stop off at Cave Mua, a breathtaking viewpoint right over Tam Coc. We climb the steps to the top of the hill, only for Amy to be attacked by a swarm of wasps. I don't know what she smelt of that day, but they certainly liked it. After a few minutes she knew it was a battle she couldn't win and we headed back, luckily for us as just as we pulled back into our hostel a storm hit. If we were minutes later we would have been drenched. It is the perfect end to a great day of exploring.
    Some much needed relaxation time is taken before we go to a bar for some food. The bar is playing songs from Frozen mixed with Taylor Swift and James Blunt so Amy, and secretly me, love it.
    It's now 8 o clock and after seven hours of biking, trekking and rowing in the Vietnam sun, we are definitely ready for a quiet night, and a bit of air con!
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  • King Kong Hostel, Tam Coc, Day 3

    13 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Another early morning and another bizarre breakfast or sticky, sweet bread. Today followed much of the same stuff as yesterday. There is so much to explore here in such close proximity that we get on the bikes again (despite the bum pain) and set off exploring.
    Firstly we go to temple that has three small pagoda built up a mountain. The temperature seems to be higher then yesterday and the climbing is tough, but the views of the goods and the buildings on the way is great. Add to that the dark cave full of screaming bats you have to make your way through and it all makes for a memorable morning!
    After that we explore the area, slowly riding whichever way we decide to turn. We end up going down a small dirt road which offers great views through the rocks.
    Dinner is at Chookies bar (again) and the tofu rolls taste just as amazing as the first time. We decide to spend the afternoon exploring the same route we did yesterday, but heading a bit further off the beaten track. It takes us down another dirt road through small villages that sit nestled between the giant rocks snugly. It is truly a beautiful place to ride through.
    We get back mid afternoon and succumb to whay I remember is our first afternoon nap. The riding and heat has exhausted us there last few days!
    To end the night, we go the Tam Coc pub which serves good cheap beer and some good veggie noodles for Amy.
    Thank God we did so we during the day, as the storm during the night makes sleeping very hard. The thunder sounds like it is in the room with you, and we spend a few minutes placing towels strategically under the windows to stop the leaking. All in all another rather eventful, and very tiring, day in Tam Coc.
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  • King Kong Hostel, Tam Coc, Day 4

    14 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    A quieter day today. After checking out of the hotel at eleven we have a ten hour wait for our sleeper bus. Luckily, the hotel manager lends us some bikes for free so we can go for a morning ride. After spending a few hours doing our final bits of exploring around this beautiful place, we go back and sit in the reception and relax for the rest of the day. The manager also gives me a copy of Anna Karenina to start so I read that. It's nice to relax after the last few days. 35 minutes left until the bus arrives! Wish us luck! Czytaj więcej

  • Village House, Phong Nha, Days 1 and 2

    16 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    So we heard there was a typhoon coming, and people weren't lying. As we get off the half empty bus at half 4 in the morning, we are met by torrential rain. The offer of a free pick up has been forgotten as the whole electricity in the town has been switched off, so a half an hour walk in the downpour is our welcome to central Vietnam.
    Luckily we can walk into the home stay when we arrive and check into our room. We are told not to leave, and we soon see why. The noise of the wind and rain hammering the building is very loud, and the sight of the rain lashing down from our window is almost to the point of frightening. We have heard the typhoons out here are bad, and people weren't lying. As night draws in we finally step outside onto a driveway scattered with broken trees and leaves. We eat a dinner cooked by the family along with some other tourists and call it a day, hoping for a chance to explore tomorrow.
    As the sun rises after a very sweaty night (no electricity means no aircon) we are desperate to escape the home stay, so get on a few bicycles and try to see the caves. The typhoon has ravaged the landscape. Roads are blocked with broken trees and some houses on the road side are completely destroyed. As we were inside in a large sturdy house during the storm, the full power off it wasn't really realised until now.
    All roads to the caves are flooded, and locals drive out to them to get their laundry done. Children play in huge puddles on what should be highways. It is a very surreal day. As night draws in we head into town for some beers, and that means a very dark bike ride home. The night is hot, and there's still no electricity or no water, so we fight through it (I sleep okay but Amy hardly gets a wink) and decide when the morning comes we need to move into town, and we need somewhere that has some power during the night!
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  • Midtown Hotel Days 1 and 2

    18 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    We move into town in the morning and find a cheap hotel. To our surprise the room we are shown to is lovely, but still no electric! We spend a day resting and taking small walks around the shops after our sleepless night and it is nice to be out of the hectic home life of a home stay recovering from a storm. We even have a balcony so we can get our washing done. On the night a generator kicks in! No air con allowed but the small fan in the ceiling does enough to put us to sleep.
    The next day some caves are open so we rent bicycles and try to reach them for the second time. We rent good mountain bikes so as not to have any problems. After an hour attempting to get to Phong Nah cave we realise we are on the wrong side of the lake so can't get in. I then get a puncture (two actually) so have to walk back for an hour until I find a mechanic who fixes it.
    We set off again, and after around half an hour of cycling, Amy's chain breaks. Luckily we find some local boys who fix it for us and the panic is over. We bike to the botanical gardens on a route that is much more uphill then we thought, but when we get there the wait is over. Monkeys, snakes and porcupines are seen in a small reservation pen, and the two small pools underneath the waterfall are so refreshing to dip in after our hot nights. The trek is around 2 miles through deep jungle and is great fun. We also meet two belgians, zeno and Tom, who are staying in our hotel! We take the tour with them and the annoying trouble with the bikes and steep uphill climb to get here are pretty much forgotten.
    On the way home we have trouble with bike number 3. The steep uphill is much easier to go back down, but I soon learn the inadequacy of my brakes as I fly down a hill screaming to Amy 'i can't stop!' I fly into a corner and somehow manage to stay on until a bit of flat road finally slows me down. It takes a much longer time for my heartbeat to slow down.
    We go to bamboo cafe for tea and meet zeno and Tom again, also a few Canadians we met the previous night join us. It's a good night, but still no air con in the hotel, hopefully tomorrow we will have more then just a fan to keep us cool!
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  • Midtown Hotel, Phong Nha, Day 3

    19 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Today we got up early and hopped back on a moped to do the Phong Nha Ke Bang national park loop. 65km of riding in the heat.
    Our first stop on the way is the paradise cave, and it is truly stunning. Firstly, it is cold, which after our last few days is priceless. Secondly, it is astonishing how big it is and the sculptures formed by the rocks inside are bizarre. It is a place that cannot be done justice with pictures. To be there and feel the cool air and hear the dripping off the rocks was a great experience. Everyone has said how great it is, and they weren't wrong.
    After that we rode the rest of the loop (probably another 45km) and that was also very fun. Going slowly to look at the wonderful scenery (and mostly through fear) was great. After the days spent inside during the typhoon it is great to finally get out and about and see what Phong Nha is really about (deep caves and big hills)
    We have heard that the electricity may be back on tonight so fingers crossed for air con!
    PS. 65KM DONE of crash free mopeding, I'm improving!
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  • Midtown Hotel, Phong Nha, Day 4

    20 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Our final day in Phong Nha before we move on to Hue tomorrow and we decide to head to Bong Lay (probably spelt wrong) valley. Again my bike had no brakes, but this time I knew to walk down hills instead of flying down them.
    After riding for a bit on the highway we pull off onto a small stoney/sandy/gravel road which almost makes bike riding impossible. Our first stop is called the Duck Stop. We are treated to a cold bucket of water over our heads and some peanuts but decline the Duck feeding tour. After working with ducks for years, it didn't seem necessary to do it again yet.
    After that we went a place called 'the pub with cold beer'. It was great fun and we even got a rubber ring each to float down the lake. We didn't stay in it long though as we soon found out the current was going the wrong way and they are very hard to steer.
    Finally, the wild boar eco farm, which is basically a restaurant with a pig pen in the front. The views were great, as was the food. The stuff that really struck me about the valley though was the friendliness of the locals. Everyone shouted hello and waved as we cycled along. It was a great way to end our stay here!
    On the night we went out to eat and whilst we were sat eating another lovely meal, the electricity came back on! The air con had returned. We rushed back and slept well for the first time in a while.
    That was until Amy woke to go to the loo, and on returning noticed a spider in our room that was bigger then any I had seen in England. We waited for a while frozen on the bed in fear until it left the room. We left the light on for the rest of the night and finally managed to get back to sleep. The nights here have been very eventful!
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  • Thanh An Hostel, Hue, Day 1

    21 września 2017, Wietnam ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    A slow day today as we prepare to move on to Hue. We have a nice lie in in the cool, air-conditioned room and don't leave the room until midday when we have to checkout. It's only a few hours until our bus, so we get some dinner and play some cards to pass the time.
    The bus takes about 4 hours and drops us off right outside our hotel. The first thing we notice is how it is Mr Bean themed. Pictures of him adorn the walls inside.
    We go to the market to try and get some food but nothing catches our eye so we end up eating in a restaurant on the river that looks onto the pretty bridge, apparently designed by Eiffel.
    After that we come back to the bar underneath our room for a few drinks. A few drinks turns into a lot of drinks and we end up in the club across the road with the bar owner and an American teacher called Patrick. It's a good night, and very interesting to see a Vietnamese nightclub for the first time. By 2 o clock though, we are ready for a supper of egg and sausage sandwiches and bed, so we go back, ready to get to know Hue tomorrow.
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