We stayed in Hue for on night before reaching Hoi An and it was refreshing.
We had stayed in Hanoi for two nights and were ready to move on. It was so busy and the people were very overbearing. Hue was a nice change. We took an over night train over .. which i zonked myself out with two gravol.. allowing me to sleep the full 12 hours. When i arrived in Hue, we took a trip with motorbike guides and they took us all sorts of places. My Guides name was Do and he has such a sweet face. We stopped by an old woman with red lipstick and leathered wrinkled skin who would tell our fortune for a dollar. I didnt but a lot of the group did. She was so sweet and spoke pretty good english!
So i have spent the last three days in Hoi An.
Its beautiful.
I rented a motorbike yesterday with my group and we drove around the country side. For about a dollar you get two letres which got us through most of the day. We drove to Marble mountain and of course bought a souvenier. I got alittle candle holder/ insence holder for six bucks which isnt too bad considering the beautiful designs on them.
Later on, i took a ride as the sun was going down. I ended up running into a water buffalo an a quiet street by the river! it took me off gaurd and i was definitly afraid so i booked it the other direction!
I must be quick.. as i have to meet up for supper in an hour. But i suntanned by the beach today and finally got a little color! no burn.. TAN! very exiting for me.. as i barely tan ever.
I rented a bicycle for a dollar and went to the beach and it was great. when it was time to come back, i really ddidnt want to put my pants on as they were really sandy.. so i just put my towel on. Two times the towel flew off and all the 13 year old vietnamese boys yelled and whistled out when i got off with just my little bottom bathing suite. the woman gauked and the bikes passing by turned their heads haha. stupid me.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Hanoi, Vietnam
So I arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam yesterday and we are staying in a little hotel thats sourounded by markets and alleyways. It is so easy to get lost here.. The group leader even told us that we SHOULD get lost because thats the only way you will really get to know the city. I got lost yesterday with Michelle and Leanne two of my fellow travelers. We wanted to get to the clothe market but it took us about 2 and half hours when it should have taken twenty minutes. But like Simon, our group leader said, we did end up having an adventure!
We started walking and the people just gock at you from every street and corner. If you are lucky they wont speack out and only stare and smile. Their heads most of the time turn and stare as they walk the opposite direction and the rest of the time they shout out things. God only knows what they say... i thought i wanted to know at first what they were saying in Vietnamese, but as i talk to more people from here, I realize i dont. They sometimes say "Oychauyoy!" which means in general translation: Oh my gosh! andother times a group of men will start giggling and laughing some will shout out things in Vietnamese. A couple men tried to grope Michelle on her ass!
I think the biggest thing that sticks out about Vietnam so far are the people and the traffic. The honking of vehicles will forever be engraved in my ears.
We started walking and the people just gock at you from every street and corner. If you are lucky they wont speack out and only stare and smile. Their heads most of the time turn and stare as they walk the opposite direction and the rest of the time they shout out things. God only knows what they say... i thought i wanted to know at first what they were saying in Vietnamese, but as i talk to more people from here, I realize i dont. They sometimes say "Oychauyoy!" which means in general translation: Oh my gosh! andother times a group of men will start giggling and laughing some will shout out things in Vietnamese. A couple men tried to grope Michelle on her ass!
I think the biggest thing that sticks out about Vietnam so far are the people and the traffic. The honking of vehicles will forever be engraved in my ears.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Laos and Border to Vietnam
So Laos has been an amazing adventure.
I have LOVED the people and the serenity and peace of it all.
Our Group went to a disco the other night.. the sign actually wrote "Dosco" which was quite funny. We watched as the Locals danced their traditional moves. It was so interesting to see how much they have been able to perserve their culture. Claire (my room mate) and I went dancing with them and they all welcomed us on the dance floor. Some took pictures with us and touched my hair and giggling.
Even I felt like an oversized woman.. although i am about 5'6. There were quite a few lady boys. We were all so surprised as they looked so beautiful! Surely they werent men! But as soon as the opened their mouths and spoke, we knew the answer--men! Everyone is so small, its very hard to tell. Even in the markets. You cant try the clothes on but you always have to buy a size higher than you normally would at home.
I have grown attatched to these small cheap internet places. I am addicted to checking up on how everyone is doing! But last night we were in a Homestay in a village off theMekong River. The people were wonderful but very very shy. There were so many children who were begging to have their pictures taken--and i gladly took them. They were fascinated with the video camera! they loved that they could hear themselves talk. They would be rolling on the ground with their faces red laughing so hard. The sleep was a different story. Very unco0mfortable. Not like the last homestay in Thailand with Marni. Although i had a mosquito net, I could feel millions of bugs crolling all over my body. They were up my nose buzzing in my ear... then 4 am rolled around and we heard this thumping sound. I was too tired to find out what it was. The roosters were crowing our ears off. So i effecntially rolled out of bed at about 5 30 am. The thudding was the woman making sticky rice... at 4 am! haha its a totally different world.
I crossed the border today. I got a rough start. I was puking for the first couple hours of the trip. The bus had to keep stopping for me to puke out on the side of the road. It was horrific. Luckily, there is a nurse in our group that helped me. Everyone was very nice and willing to help. The twelve hour drive went by fast once i fell asleep and read my book. We crossed the border and it was a whole new culture shock. It was incredible.
We entered into the first Vietnam town, and the drivers are loonatics! I thought Thailand and Laos was bad... we were all TERRIFIED for our lives the entire time. I couldnt believe the way they had no respect for the middle of the road. cars and buses would just drive wherever they pleased. Every driver seemed to just drive 80 km/hour and be within a meter of a bus infront of them coming head on. Our bus driver at one point was pissed off at this van that had cut him off so he spead up drove infront of them and slammed on thebreaks sending all of our group flying forward hitting the seat in front of us.
Laos and Vietnam are polar opposites i have decided. Laos was incredibly laid back. i walked at night alone without a worry in the world. Every where you went was whispers and hushed voices and a lot of the time silence. Everyone walked leasurely down the sidewalk. Vietnam is a totally different ball game. The people are loud and obnoxouis. i just had dinner in a place and our group couldnt barely speak over the loud voices. I am now in an internet cafe and i can barely hear myself think! everyone is screaming and yelling and cackeling. Its insane. The people ARE insane here haha. But maybe its good to pick up some pace.
I have LOVED the people and the serenity and peace of it all.
Our Group went to a disco the other night.. the sign actually wrote "Dosco" which was quite funny. We watched as the Locals danced their traditional moves. It was so interesting to see how much they have been able to perserve their culture. Claire (my room mate) and I went dancing with them and they all welcomed us on the dance floor. Some took pictures with us and touched my hair and giggling.
Even I felt like an oversized woman.. although i am about 5'6. There were quite a few lady boys. We were all so surprised as they looked so beautiful! Surely they werent men! But as soon as the opened their mouths and spoke, we knew the answer--men! Everyone is so small, its very hard to tell. Even in the markets. You cant try the clothes on but you always have to buy a size higher than you normally would at home.
I have grown attatched to these small cheap internet places. I am addicted to checking up on how everyone is doing! But last night we were in a Homestay in a village off theMekong River. The people were wonderful but very very shy. There were so many children who were begging to have their pictures taken--and i gladly took them. They were fascinated with the video camera! they loved that they could hear themselves talk. They would be rolling on the ground with their faces red laughing so hard. The sleep was a different story. Very unco0mfortable. Not like the last homestay in Thailand with Marni. Although i had a mosquito net, I could feel millions of bugs crolling all over my body. They were up my nose buzzing in my ear... then 4 am rolled around and we heard this thumping sound. I was too tired to find out what it was. The roosters were crowing our ears off. So i effecntially rolled out of bed at about 5 30 am. The thudding was the woman making sticky rice... at 4 am! haha its a totally different world.
I crossed the border today. I got a rough start. I was puking for the first couple hours of the trip. The bus had to keep stopping for me to puke out on the side of the road. It was horrific. Luckily, there is a nurse in our group that helped me. Everyone was very nice and willing to help. The twelve hour drive went by fast once i fell asleep and read my book. We crossed the border and it was a whole new culture shock. It was incredible.
We entered into the first Vietnam town, and the drivers are loonatics! I thought Thailand and Laos was bad... we were all TERRIFIED for our lives the entire time. I couldnt believe the way they had no respect for the middle of the road. cars and buses would just drive wherever they pleased. Every driver seemed to just drive 80 km/hour and be within a meter of a bus infront of them coming head on. Our bus driver at one point was pissed off at this van that had cut him off so he spead up drove infront of them and slammed on thebreaks sending all of our group flying forward hitting the seat in front of us.
Laos and Vietnam are polar opposites i have decided. Laos was incredibly laid back. i walked at night alone without a worry in the world. Every where you went was whispers and hushed voices and a lot of the time silence. Everyone walked leasurely down the sidewalk. Vietnam is a totally different ball game. The people are loud and obnoxouis. i just had dinner in a place and our group couldnt barely speak over the loud voices. I am now in an internet cafe and i can barely hear myself think! everyone is screaming and yelling and cackeling. Its insane. The people ARE insane here haha. But maybe its good to pick up some pace.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Laos
Well.. the computers are not up to snap in Laos as they are in Thailand but i shall survive. I have already lost two blogs.. and all pictures i have uploaded on this computer. i have wasted an hour! But Patience is the key.. i must stay patient.. as it won't ever be like Canada and its all in the experience.
So i dont even know where to start! as I dont remember what i have actually posted and what i haven't.. but i guess from the beginning when enterring Laos.
We took a 5 hour bus to the border. for 42 dollars we could cross and the only way to was by a little boat. "immigration" was very interesting as it was jsut a little stall with a only a few workers. We stayed the night in a small town.. it might have even been a village. It was cute non the less and our hotel was nice and basic. Cold showers and a bed. The bathrooms so far have been a shower right next to the toilet with no tub or shower curtain just a small efficient bathroom. So when you have a shower you get the entire bathroom wet haha.
We spent two days floating down the Mekong River. Its absolutely beautiful as you get to see the country side and laotians everyday life. No busy streets or markets, just villages with playful children and leathered skin adults fishing and embroidering.
I got to visit a village and the childrenran up to the boat and squeeled when they saw my hair. They gigled when i shook it in front of them and they touched it with huge curiouse smiles.
they kept looking at the bracelettes that i had bought from the Chiang Mai Village children so i gave them to the kids. I will never forget their faces.
We arrived at our beautiful bangalows. Simon, our group leader had told us that the accomodations were going to be like your own "person discovery channel" and said the bathrooms were shared and rooms very basic. But turns out hes a liar! and the rooms were spectacular.
We have stayed in Luang Prabang for two nights.
It is New years next week for south east asia and their tradition is to throw water on anything anyone and everyone. That means cars, trucks with open backs (where most people travel in the back as its a taxi for most of us tourists) , bicycles and motorbikes and pedestrians. We were soaked yesterday coming home from the waterfalls. Children would be waiting at every corner with a bucket and would throw it in our direction.
I am so glad i managed to catch an internet cafe.. as an hour later it began to hail and rain so hard that a couple girls from our group are now fully soaked!
So i dont even know where to start! as I dont remember what i have actually posted and what i haven't.. but i guess from the beginning when enterring Laos.
We took a 5 hour bus to the border. for 42 dollars we could cross and the only way to was by a little boat. "immigration" was very interesting as it was jsut a little stall with a only a few workers. We stayed the night in a small town.. it might have even been a village. It was cute non the less and our hotel was nice and basic. Cold showers and a bed. The bathrooms so far have been a shower right next to the toilet with no tub or shower curtain just a small efficient bathroom. So when you have a shower you get the entire bathroom wet haha.
We spent two days floating down the Mekong River. Its absolutely beautiful as you get to see the country side and laotians everyday life. No busy streets or markets, just villages with playful children and leathered skin adults fishing and embroidering.
I got to visit a village and the childrenran up to the boat and squeeled when they saw my hair. They gigled when i shook it in front of them and they touched it with huge curiouse smiles.
they kept looking at the bracelettes that i had bought from the Chiang Mai Village children so i gave them to the kids. I will never forget their faces.
We arrived at our beautiful bangalows. Simon, our group leader had told us that the accomodations were going to be like your own "person discovery channel" and said the bathrooms were shared and rooms very basic. But turns out hes a liar! and the rooms were spectacular.
We have stayed in Luang Prabang for two nights.
It is New years next week for south east asia and their tradition is to throw water on anything anyone and everyone. That means cars, trucks with open backs (where most people travel in the back as its a taxi for most of us tourists) , bicycles and motorbikes and pedestrians. We were soaked yesterday coming home from the waterfalls. Children would be waiting at every corner with a bucket and would throw it in our direction.
I am so glad i managed to catch an internet cafe.. as an hour later it began to hail and rain so hard that a couple girls from our group are now fully soaked!
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