I can't believe the time is here already to say goodbye to Asia for good (at least for the forseeable future!)
Stuart and I have made 2 top ten lists.
Top ten worst hostels we stayed at
Top ten best hostels we stayed at
I'm sure over the next week the reminising will continue. (Top ten weirdest people... top ten most hilarious moments, top ten memories, top ten top ten top ten)
Was this trip worth it?
Without a doubt
Will I go on a trip this long again?
I'd like to think so, but I think maybe 2 months would be a nicer length...
Will I ever re-visit any of these fine countries?
No time soon. We've got too big of a list of other places we want to visit before coming back.
Why haven't I updated in the past week?
Cramming in as much as we could into our final moments. (So exhausting, but so worth it!)
Is it sad to leave?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because it's just me and Stu and we've had such an amazing time together. I highly doubt we'll ever again (until we're retired) spend this much time together (almost literally 24/7 for 4 months). It's insane to think we never killed each other. But really really it's made us a better, happier couple.
No, because I neeeed to go home. I need to see my family and my friends (ESPECIALLY Candace) how would you feel if you were away and your best friend got engaged!??! I need clean clothes (okay, that's not a need... maybe that's just a luxury-want). I 'need' a bed that's not rock hard to sleep on, I 'need' privacy...
I think I just 'need' a bunch of selfish things...
So farewell sweet Asia, and HELLO BEAUTIFUL BC!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Being coherent on almost zero hours of sleep (quite literally) is, in fact doable.
I should've remembered that from my days at TWU. Oh, how quickly we forget.
Stuart and I spent the night in the Singapore airport to save some money.
Was it worth it? Who knows.
Coherent doesn't mean that I have the energy to write anymore at this point in time, nor does it mean that I'm not just about to leap into bed for a cat nap.
~Fin
I should've remembered that from my days at TWU. Oh, how quickly we forget.
Stuart and I spent the night in the Singapore airport to save some money.
Was it worth it? Who knows.
Coherent doesn't mean that I have the energy to write anymore at this point in time, nor does it mean that I'm not just about to leap into bed for a cat nap.
~Fin
Monday, August 23, 2010
I am officially impressed
Singapore is UN-believable.
Yesterday we went to a couple of parks. One pathway we went up had the most unique walk way I've seen. It's hard to describe but it was really really cool! Another one was quite different, too and it was a long walk way above the trees. VERY cool.
Our friend Mike showed us these places. There's no way we would have seen them or come across them on our own. Really lucky to have met up with him again! (We met him in China)
Last night we went down to Clark Quay and Harbour Front. ABSOLUTELY stunning and incredibly impressive. Singapore is so wealthy! We ate dinner at a bus stop before we went there to walk around (to save money!) and just walking around and seeing everything was amazing! It is possible to go to Singapore and not spend too much money! Who would've thought?
Sadly, when we were going for our hike/walk in the parks it started POURING rain and I had the camera in my pocket.... only for 2 minutes but it was enough for me and the camera to be soaked.
Meaning: I got NO pictures of the park or the amazing city last night. SO SAD. BUT... I'm glad we decided to hold off on attempting to use the camera. It payed off and now the camera is completely dry and working again! Yay for patience!
There is this absolute stunner of modern architecture that we went and saw. It's three really tall, really awesome looking buildings with a big building going across the top that looks like a boat... it's hard to explain, but you can see a picture of it here:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.basf-cc.com.sg/SiteCollectionImages/singapore/Sands1.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.basf-cc.com.sg/en/References/Singapore/Pages/MarinaBaySandsIntegratedResort.aspx&usg=__YkpUUs4XjCZbp6PXqjbq0eqIfr8=&h=400&w=600&sz=26&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=Flzxx2Uq_8Z8dM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=174&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsingapore%2Bintegrated%2Bresort%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D598%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=118&vpy=119&dur=378&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=141&ty=122&ei=Jz9zTN3PCoO6cYnXgLUP&oei=Jz9zTN3PCoO6cYnXgLUP&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
We went all the way up to the 57th floor (at RAPID speed! My ears popped!) and an amazing view of the city below. It was quite romantical.
We also went into a brand new casino. Singaporians have to pay a whopping 100 dollars to go in (the government is trying to discourage them from gambling) but for tourists, it's free!
That was fun, too!
We weren't really thinking and time got away from us. Next thing we knew it was 1 am and we were still at harbor front. Public transit stops running at midnight here! There were taxis galore but they cost an absolute fortune in Singapore so we decided to walk allll the way to little india *QUITE far.
By the time we got home we were completely exhausted. In fact, we took a pit stop at 2 24hour food courts (they're everywhere here!) and had some roti and steamed pork buns to regain our strength!
Tonight we will go out with Mike and his fiancee to dinner in the harbour (we didn't end up going out last night) and it promises to be another spectacular Singapore evening!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Singer-pore!
Here we are! Singer-pore!
Stuart and I spent the majority of this evening thus far watching a singing competition in the mall.
Our hostel is quite pricey *but so is EVERYTHING in Singapore...
it's the absolute cheapest place out there... and maybe for a reason! There is no sign outside indicating it's a hostel, and the woman who received us was about a thousand years old and didn't speak any english... and she talked and talked and talked and talked to us, trying to tell us stories in Chinese or.. whatever.
We think she was crazy or something because she didn't pick up on our shrugs and our 'are you kidding?!' looks.
It was hilarious.
Gumborie:
Gum is not allowed in Singapore. Actually, our friend Mike (from Singapore) told us that gum itself is not illegal, just the selling of gum.
Yes, chewing gum.
In fact, it is illegal (as Stuart found out the hard way at the border crossing).
First off, we had liquor... and totally forgot we'd have to pay duty on it, and then there was this stupid tiger beer we've been carting around...
actually, you know what... I'm not going to tell the story. It'll be better in person.
Tomorrow we're considering going to Universal Studio's. It costs a fortune but we're at the end of our trip and may as well go out with a bang... maybe. Stuart's trying to convince me.
~fin
Friday, August 20, 2010
Booomelakalakalaka
Welcome to the Heritage City!
Home of old churches (that are really nothing to look at...)
and three museums that Stuart and I went to today.
Museum 1: Big ship... it was in a big ship!! it was large! it was in charge! it was cool! ... but boring somehow at the same time!
Museum 2: Maritime Museum... a real yawner
Museum 3: About the navy and stuff... there was a helicopter inside, that was cool... and a big gun ship outside... that was alright, too.
I never realized how much I dislike museums... until today. I can NOT pay attention! I need statues and stuff to stare at, buttons to press, audio visual presentations!!!!
China town here is totally awesome! Lots of arty stores and moon cakes galore!
We're staying at Tony's guesthouse. Tony is CRABBY... but we think it's just because he's really old and can't hear well.
I just saw a mouse trying to come into the computer room and I screamed in such horror I nearly gave poor Stuart a heart attack.
The rooms in Tony's are awesome. And it's the cheapest place around.
Tonight we will go on the 'famous' Jonker walk. It's a big weekend market put on in China town and it's full of food, folks, and fun!
Home of old churches (that are really nothing to look at...)
and three museums that Stuart and I went to today.
Museum 1: Big ship... it was in a big ship!! it was large! it was in charge! it was cool! ... but boring somehow at the same time!
Museum 2: Maritime Museum... a real yawner
Museum 3: About the navy and stuff... there was a helicopter inside, that was cool... and a big gun ship outside... that was alright, too.
I never realized how much I dislike museums... until today. I can NOT pay attention! I need statues and stuff to stare at, buttons to press, audio visual presentations!!!!
China town here is totally awesome! Lots of arty stores and moon cakes galore!
We're staying at Tony's guesthouse. Tony is CRABBY... but we think it's just because he's really old and can't hear well.
I just saw a mouse trying to come into the computer room and I screamed in such horror I nearly gave poor Stuart a heart attack.
The rooms in Tony's are awesome. And it's the cheapest place around.
Tonight we will go on the 'famous' Jonker walk. It's a big weekend market put on in China town and it's full of food, folks, and fun!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
K to the L
it's our 2nd last day in KL and I have to say, I'll be sad to leave!
We have been loving our hostel and all the people in it... it's like a trap. You don't want to leave La Village. Somehow it doesn't matter that it's filthy and there's cockroaches and peoples dirty dishes kicking around. It's just... well, it's comfortable.
It's like a 'home' somehow.
There's a kitchen (filthy, and the floor is constantly wet), a common table, a couple couches and upstairs there's a TV and an absolute pig sty of a room to watch it in.
We spend a lot of time here with new found friends who also spend a lot of time here.
We stay up til 3... wake up at noon... leisurely hang around the table til we're starving and then go eat... come back in the evening and do practically nothing with the people we did practically nothing with in the mornings.
Ooo what a place.
We went out with a bunch of people this afternoon for breakfast. (did you catch that?)
and then did some shopping in China town. Bought nothing. Well, that's a lie. I bought a Starbucks shirt. Endorsing the coffee superpower...
That's pretty much all.
We have been loving our hostel and all the people in it... it's like a trap. You don't want to leave La Village. Somehow it doesn't matter that it's filthy and there's cockroaches and peoples dirty dishes kicking around. It's just... well, it's comfortable.
It's like a 'home' somehow.
There's a kitchen (filthy, and the floor is constantly wet), a common table, a couple couches and upstairs there's a TV and an absolute pig sty of a room to watch it in.
We spend a lot of time here with new found friends who also spend a lot of time here.
We stay up til 3... wake up at noon... leisurely hang around the table til we're starving and then go eat... come back in the evening and do practically nothing with the people we did practically nothing with in the mornings.
Ooo what a place.
We went out with a bunch of people this afternoon for breakfast. (did you catch that?)
and then did some shopping in China town. Bought nothing. Well, that's a lie. I bought a Starbucks shirt. Endorsing the coffee superpower...
That's pretty much all.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Itchy!
I am itching, itching, dying to do something creative!
I am itching, itching, dying to do something productive!
I am itching, itching, dying to cook!
I am itching, itching, dying to teach piano!
Today was fun.
We went to the Batu Caves which is 13 km outside of the city. By bus.
It was hot, but it was nice. It's been a few days since we've been without a long bus ride.
We saw wild monkeys playing and fighting. LOTS of them. I'd say, without exaggeration, about 30. Maybe more.
It was a little scary walking by so many. They're vicious little things!
Now I know why those crazy Brits with their crazy saying call them 'cheeky monkey's!'
I touched a cobra. It felt gross. And awesome.
We ate Indian in little India and it was perfect.
I made many friends. I drank lots of coffee. I worked on my articles.
It poured rain and Stu and I stood under a covered area on the sidewalk.
We got a slurpee from 7 Eleven.
Today is a good day.
I am itching, itching, dying to do something productive!
I am itching, itching, dying to cook!
I am itching, itching, dying to teach piano!
Today was fun.
We went to the Batu Caves which is 13 km outside of the city. By bus.
It was hot, but it was nice. It's been a few days since we've been without a long bus ride.
We saw wild monkeys playing and fighting. LOTS of them. I'd say, without exaggeration, about 30. Maybe more.
It was a little scary walking by so many. They're vicious little things!
Now I know why those crazy Brits with their crazy saying call them 'cheeky monkey's!'
I touched a cobra. It felt gross. And awesome.
We ate Indian in little India and it was perfect.
I made many friends. I drank lots of coffee. I worked on my articles.
It poured rain and Stu and I stood under a covered area on the sidewalk.
We got a slurpee from 7 Eleven.
Today is a good day.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Kuala!!
Welcome to Penang: Home of the rude and the scary.
Ok, so Penang isn't my favorite place in the world... actually, let's back it up, probably one of my least favorites.
The men were scary here! Besides the fact that they're all staring at me because I'm foreign and a woman not clothed in a burka or dressed head to toe (Malaysians are Muslim all the way) most of them were hopped up on something. Not a fan.
The people at our hostel were rude and didn't clean the room after we asked them twice and forgot to give us blankets the first night and by the time we got in, they were sleeping.
The food was awesome. I'll give it that. There were hawkers everywhere selling all sorts of Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian fare all for under $2. We whittled our days away eating, drinking, and shopping. Not a bad way to spend time.
One of the days we went to the World's Largest Toy Museum. Sounds awesome, right? Malaysia is obsessed with the Guiness Book of World Records and tries to have the world's most/largest/smallest... everything! I was so excited about the toy museum...
but then we got there and it cost a fortune.
We thought 'this is okay, no this is alright. We haven't spent a lot of money on anything for a while, let's splurge and spend the day having fun in the worlds largest toy museum.'
worst.
idea.
ever.
On the map of Penang we recieved at our hostel, the toy museum was highlighted as a main tourist attraction.
The toy museum consisted of about 10101101010 action figures behind glass (the most boring thing of my LIFE!) I almost cried. It was so sad. We spent so much money on something that a person with a gun to my head couldn't have made me do.
It was a sad day.
We only spent about 2 days in Penang before we were right sick of it.
A LONG walk on a very hot day and we were on a ferry out of there headed for:
Kuala Lumpur!
Welcome to KL.
Now this is the city we dreamed of! Malaysia was supposed to be wealthy and beautiful, not run down and scary!
Well, in KL it's exactly what we thought (for once!)
The only way I can describe it is Muslim Vancouver.
Something cool about KL right now is that it's Ramadan. Tonight Stu and I were on the top floor of a fancy mall in the food court and there were probably over a thousand muslims sitting at tables with full plates of food and not touching them. They waited and waited and then a bell sounded over the intercom and it was off to the races!
We couldn't even get a table! We ended up eating on plastic chairs by the garbage can!
Tonight there was an indian night market in little India. It was huge. We weren't really that into it (how many markets can you go to over a three month period and not be dead bored of it, I ask you?) but we did find a killer deal on some soccer jerseys.
Yesterday we spent a loooooooooooooooooooooong time in search of the Chinese Embassy, which went quickly and smoothly.
We went to a fancy mall and to the movies and walked down the fancy city streets before heading back to skudge china town (where we live).
Here's our place: La Village. Ghetto beyond ghetto.
As Stuart said: "Your mom would kill us" ...
haha.
Malaysia is not cheap, my friends. We had to cut corners somewhere.
OK! Now I will go.
Ok, so Penang isn't my favorite place in the world... actually, let's back it up, probably one of my least favorites.
The men were scary here! Besides the fact that they're all staring at me because I'm foreign and a woman not clothed in a burka or dressed head to toe (Malaysians are Muslim all the way) most of them were hopped up on something. Not a fan.
The people at our hostel were rude and didn't clean the room after we asked them twice and forgot to give us blankets the first night and by the time we got in, they were sleeping.
The food was awesome. I'll give it that. There were hawkers everywhere selling all sorts of Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian fare all for under $2. We whittled our days away eating, drinking, and shopping. Not a bad way to spend time.
One of the days we went to the World's Largest Toy Museum. Sounds awesome, right? Malaysia is obsessed with the Guiness Book of World Records and tries to have the world's most/largest/smallest... everything! I was so excited about the toy museum...
but then we got there and it cost a fortune.
We thought 'this is okay, no this is alright. We haven't spent a lot of money on anything for a while, let's splurge and spend the day having fun in the worlds largest toy museum.'
worst.
idea.
ever.
On the map of Penang we recieved at our hostel, the toy museum was highlighted as a main tourist attraction.
The toy museum consisted of about 10101101010 action figures behind glass (the most boring thing of my LIFE!) I almost cried. It was so sad. We spent so much money on something that a person with a gun to my head couldn't have made me do.
It was a sad day.
We only spent about 2 days in Penang before we were right sick of it.
A LONG walk on a very hot day and we were on a ferry out of there headed for:
Kuala Lumpur!
Welcome to KL.
Now this is the city we dreamed of! Malaysia was supposed to be wealthy and beautiful, not run down and scary!
Well, in KL it's exactly what we thought (for once!)
The only way I can describe it is Muslim Vancouver.
Something cool about KL right now is that it's Ramadan. Tonight Stu and I were on the top floor of a fancy mall in the food court and there were probably over a thousand muslims sitting at tables with full plates of food and not touching them. They waited and waited and then a bell sounded over the intercom and it was off to the races!
We couldn't even get a table! We ended up eating on plastic chairs by the garbage can!
Tonight there was an indian night market in little India. It was huge. We weren't really that into it (how many markets can you go to over a three month period and not be dead bored of it, I ask you?) but we did find a killer deal on some soccer jerseys.
Yesterday we spent a loooooooooooooooooooooong time in search of the Chinese Embassy, which went quickly and smoothly.
We went to a fancy mall and to the movies and walked down the fancy city streets before heading back to skudge china town (where we live).
Here's our place: La Village. Ghetto beyond ghetto.
As Stuart said: "Your mom would kill us" ...
haha.
Malaysia is not cheap, my friends. We had to cut corners somewhere.
OK! Now I will go.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Peeenangie
Welcome to Panang.
Hawker capital of Malaysia.
They also have a butterfly farm!
and there are plenty of creeps and drug addicts (I'm assuming.. by the way they have chats with absolutely no one beside them in restaurants....)
Please don't mug me, friends!
also: our trip here took FOREVER but we did save a whopping seven dollars.
Worth it?
Most def.
The lovely Stardust guest house... room about as big as a thimble... Stuart couldn't even lay down without his legs dangling off the bed. yikes.
I was just starting to warm up to it when Stu informed me that there was no way he could stay another night. sad. It was the first non raunch place we found...
back to the drawing board.
Hawker capital of Malaysia.
They also have a butterfly farm!
and there are plenty of creeps and drug addicts (I'm assuming.. by the way they have chats with absolutely no one beside them in restaurants....)
Please don't mug me, friends!
also: our trip here took FOREVER but we did save a whopping seven dollars.
Worth it?
Most def.
The lovely Stardust guest house... room about as big as a thimble... Stuart couldn't even lay down without his legs dangling off the bed. yikes.
I was just starting to warm up to it when Stu informed me that there was no way he could stay another night. sad. It was the first non raunch place we found...
back to the drawing board.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Byebye Langkawi
I can't believe that in less than 3 1/2 weeks we will be HOME. That is just nuts. I refuse to believe it.
Ok, I believe it.
Currently I am eating my new favorite snack: Garlic and Onion Dried Beans. The best. The best.
Bought some duty free peach vodka.
Yesterday we woke up SO late. Oh, I was sick last night and the night before barfing in the middle of the night. weird.
Could it be, dare I say, the beans? Parish the thought. Not possible.
So, Langkawi is beautiful, but we're done with it.
We heard that Panang is awesome, so that's where we're to next.
We had to switch rooms yesterday because someone else had booked it. They woke us up at noon (the nerve!) and kicked us out.
Actually, I think that's the first time I've slept later than 9:30 this whole trip. AKA I was really sick the night before. yuck.
Yesterday was spent walking along the beach, then walking along another beach, sitting in beach chairs... etc.
Played some chess, played some pool, tried to socialize but realized it was fruitless since the 2 guys we were trying to socialize with were world class morons.
(ie. I want to go to Canada to see the bears. Do you see lots of bears? Oh, I'd just love to go there and see the bears!)
Today I cried about nothing then we went to the beach and sun tanned and swam in the massive waves. It was lots of fun.
Tonight we went to 'Hong Kong' for dinner... walked around, sat at the beach and watched another amazing sunset. It really is quite beautiful.
Tomorrow: Panang
Ok, I believe it.
Currently I am eating my new favorite snack: Garlic and Onion Dried Beans. The best. The best.
Bought some duty free peach vodka.
Yesterday we woke up SO late. Oh, I was sick last night and the night before barfing in the middle of the night. weird.
Could it be, dare I say, the beans? Parish the thought. Not possible.
So, Langkawi is beautiful, but we're done with it.
We heard that Panang is awesome, so that's where we're to next.
We had to switch rooms yesterday because someone else had booked it. They woke us up at noon (the nerve!) and kicked us out.
Actually, I think that's the first time I've slept later than 9:30 this whole trip. AKA I was really sick the night before. yuck.
Yesterday was spent walking along the beach, then walking along another beach, sitting in beach chairs... etc.
Played some chess, played some pool, tried to socialize but realized it was fruitless since the 2 guys we were trying to socialize with were world class morons.
(ie. I want to go to Canada to see the bears. Do you see lots of bears? Oh, I'd just love to go there and see the bears!)
Today I cried about nothing then we went to the beach and sun tanned and swam in the massive waves. It was lots of fun.
Tonight we went to 'Hong Kong' for dinner... walked around, sat at the beach and watched another amazing sunset. It really is quite beautiful.
Tomorrow: Panang
Friday, August 6, 2010
I have to go Phi Phi!
Ko Phi Phi was fantastical, glorious, etc. etc. etc.
Totally most beautiful island in Thailand.
Stayed at 'Sascha's Guesthouse'... only semi cheap, VERY warm, decent bathroom with only an ice cold shower, and a balcony that looked out to nothing but a tin roof, and another balcony with loads of undies hanging on a line.
Glamorous!
The beach was, as Jessica would so eloquently put it, "like none other!"
White sand, blue green water, cliffs and palm trees, what more could anyone ask for?
I suppose they could ask for it to stay forever, but five days for Stu and I sufficed.
We went to a half moon party, which was not in any way like the half moon parties on
Ko Panang, but it was great.
Free barbeque and drinks all 'round. Well...
not for Stu and I...
Buckets were a whopping 500 baht!
We went completely mennonite: Split one banana shake and had literally all we could eat at the free barbeque. Anyone who's reading this that goes to Greendale M.B. would be proud.
Met the greatest lady ever and conducted an official interview. (I was so nervous that it took ten agonizing minutes across the street to persuade myself to just be confident, get my butt over there, and commit!)
And it was so worth it!
She was this famous Pad Thai lady who owned a shop that is known as 'The best Pad Thai in Thailand'
We chit chatted for a long time, first the interview and then long after that. She was wonderful and it was such a nice experience! We took some pictures afterward, hugged, and she gave me (and Stu who was across the street) really nice Thai necklaces that she just happened to have with her, it was so sweet!
Memories from Phi Phi:
1. Deep fried bananas (yum yum)
2. Mongolian BBQ (I was known as the Mongolian BBQ girl and by the end of our time there the waiter may as well have known me by name.)
3. The beaches (duh)
4. Touching a jelly fish by accident!
5. Late night reading (my new favorite activity)
6. Stuarts growing obsession with ants
7. The 'View Point' and the long hike there!
8. Jelly fish on our way from Krabi (so many!) and such a fun ferry ride!
9. The half moon party
10. Pad Thai lady (duh!)
Also, all of the nudity... could've done without that one. HELLO people! Save that for marriage you little perverts! haha.
Last night was AMAZING!!!
We went to Krabi Town and had SUCH a fun night!
They were having some sort of festival and last night was the last night! Our timing couldn't have been better!
BUT getting there was an utter disaster and we were threatened by a guy who wanted us to pay 100 baht for a free cab ride... he told us he was going to call the police and he pulled out a phone and called someone. We just stood there and kept arguing with him and eventually he drove away like a good little boy.
It was scary though! (maybe just for me, Stu didn't care.)
But anyway, the festival...
totally awesome! Totally fun! Totally tiring!
Oh, and our room for our final night in Thailand (did you catch that?) was b-e-a-utiful!
OH MY GOSH
Did I tell you that in Krabi (last time we were there) there was the worlds biggest spider in our room?? It was probably the grossest thing ever, like, I don't even think that if I stepped on it I could kill it, it was THAT big.. and we had all these little things on our wall that we found out were...are you read for this??
SPIDER EGG SACKS.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Apparently that spider was LIVING in our room laying millions of raunchy egg sacks.
Oh, it was horrible. One of the most horrible things ever.
The woman at the reception desk said to me 'They are not danger! Many people have these spiders in their homes living. Not danger!'
But to me: DANGER DANGER DANGER!
Hey guys, guess where we are right now???
MALAYSIA! and it's totally sublime!!
We're in Langkawi right now which is this:
http://www.thetravelhavenonline.com/blog/langkawi-luxury-vacation/
and saw the most beautiful sunset we've seen yet, and ate the cheapest indian food ever and have the cutest room imaginable!
Life is good!
Totally most beautiful island in Thailand.
Stayed at 'Sascha's Guesthouse'... only semi cheap, VERY warm, decent bathroom with only an ice cold shower, and a balcony that looked out to nothing but a tin roof, and another balcony with loads of undies hanging on a line.
Glamorous!
The beach was, as Jessica would so eloquently put it, "like none other!"
White sand, blue green water, cliffs and palm trees, what more could anyone ask for?
I suppose they could ask for it to stay forever, but five days for Stu and I sufficed.
We went to a half moon party, which was not in any way like the half moon parties on
Ko Panang, but it was great.
Free barbeque and drinks all 'round. Well...
not for Stu and I...
Buckets were a whopping 500 baht!
We went completely mennonite: Split one banana shake and had literally all we could eat at the free barbeque. Anyone who's reading this that goes to Greendale M.B. would be proud.
Met the greatest lady ever and conducted an official interview. (I was so nervous that it took ten agonizing minutes across the street to persuade myself to just be confident, get my butt over there, and commit!)
And it was so worth it!
She was this famous Pad Thai lady who owned a shop that is known as 'The best Pad Thai in Thailand'
We chit chatted for a long time, first the interview and then long after that. She was wonderful and it was such a nice experience! We took some pictures afterward, hugged, and she gave me (and Stu who was across the street) really nice Thai necklaces that she just happened to have with her, it was so sweet!
Memories from Phi Phi:
1. Deep fried bananas (yum yum)
2. Mongolian BBQ (I was known as the Mongolian BBQ girl and by the end of our time there the waiter may as well have known me by name.)
3. The beaches (duh)
4. Touching a jelly fish by accident!
5. Late night reading (my new favorite activity)
6. Stuarts growing obsession with ants
7. The 'View Point' and the long hike there!
8. Jelly fish on our way from Krabi (so many!) and such a fun ferry ride!
9. The half moon party
10. Pad Thai lady (duh!)
Also, all of the nudity... could've done without that one. HELLO people! Save that for marriage you little perverts! haha.
Last night was AMAZING!!!
We went to Krabi Town and had SUCH a fun night!
They were having some sort of festival and last night was the last night! Our timing couldn't have been better!
BUT getting there was an utter disaster and we were threatened by a guy who wanted us to pay 100 baht for a free cab ride... he told us he was going to call the police and he pulled out a phone and called someone. We just stood there and kept arguing with him and eventually he drove away like a good little boy.
It was scary though! (maybe just for me, Stu didn't care.)
But anyway, the festival...
totally awesome! Totally fun! Totally tiring!
Oh, and our room for our final night in Thailand (did you catch that?) was b-e-a-utiful!
OH MY GOSH
Did I tell you that in Krabi (last time we were there) there was the worlds biggest spider in our room?? It was probably the grossest thing ever, like, I don't even think that if I stepped on it I could kill it, it was THAT big.. and we had all these little things on our wall that we found out were...are you read for this??
SPIDER EGG SACKS.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Apparently that spider was LIVING in our room laying millions of raunchy egg sacks.
Oh, it was horrible. One of the most horrible things ever.
The woman at the reception desk said to me 'They are not danger! Many people have these spiders in their homes living. Not danger!'
But to me: DANGER DANGER DANGER!
Hey guys, guess where we are right now???
MALAYSIA! and it's totally sublime!!
We're in Langkawi right now which is this:
http://www.thetravelhavenonline.com/blog/langkawi-luxury-vacation/
and saw the most beautiful sunset we've seen yet, and ate the cheapest indian food ever and have the cutest room imaginable!
Life is good!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Oops!
Long time no write... my mistake...
Where to begin??
this is going to be quick and spit fire so forgive me:
Vientiane in Brief:
-Met a friend. Had dinner with him at crazy good Indian Restaurant...
-Had lunch with him at absolutely dreadful street stall.
good good cultural fun.
-doughnuts in Vientiane= 8 for $1. seriously good.
-deep fried pork dumplings= 8 for $1. seriously dangerous!
-kim chi from the grocery store in a bag = my new fave!
-really nice hostel.
-Went to the stadium... totally dead. We did a lap of the track. A complete ghost town. Slightly eerie.
-Went to the museum... closed
-day marker was hectic
-bough eclipse in the wrong language. woops!
Overall impression of Vientiane:
Rocks. Totally loved it. One of our faves.
Vang Vieng in brief brief:
-lots of partiers...
-lots of mary jane...
-lots of cocaine...
-were going to go tubing but the weather had been brutal for 4 days before getting there and the water was dangerous...
-food stalls good
-iced coffee sublime!
-left after just one day
Overall impressin of Vang Vieng:
If it was not rainy season might have given it a better review... but it was, and therefore it sucked.
Luang Prabang in Brief:
-ride was horrifying.
-thought we would die
-life flashed before our eyes
-first night was in a single bed tiny room with gross blankets.. but what can you expect when you arrive at 2 am??
-first real day MUCH better. rewarded ourselves with an 'american breakfast'... walked around to travel places... I think this was the night that we met our friends from the bus (by the way, after our bus ride of death, all who were on the bus became kindred spirits for life)
-had dinner with them at a 'laos barbeque' place. really good and lots of fun!
-next day biked up a freaking mountain.... 30 km later we realized we were idiots in 45 degree heat.
-swam in a beautiful waterfall.
-saw some awesome bears
-walked past huge buffalo
-had dinner in an alleyway buffet (YUM!)
-met up with a friend from the bus (Asher) and booked an awesome trip for the next day.
-rode an elephant!
-kayaked in rapids!
-had dinner back in alleyway
-went out for drinks and made new friends
-flew to Bangkok!
Overall Impression of Luang Prabang: Beautiful! A bit more on the pricey side, but great!
Bangkok in Brief Brief:
-There for a day to pick up passport from the embassy
-had a nice lunch and sat for like 2 hours at the restaurant just because we were so darn tired. it was nice
-went back to the backpacker ghetto to book a trip the heck outta there.
-Stu bought some awesome soccer jerseys
-En Route to Krabi!
Krabi in Brief:
-Arrived yesterday. Totally beat after a 17 hour journey.
-Got completely and totally ripped off at a stupid travel place that had a monopoly. what were we to do but cry with our longtail boat between our legs.
-lots and lots of cats and kittens
-um, totally beautiful. lots of cliffs and a really crazy nice beach
-crabs galore
-cockroach in our room!!!
-a little on the expensive side, but this is a beach town!
-our first really good pad thai
Overall impression of Krabi:
When in Krabi go to Raylei ... really very nice and good. also, don't come in wet season... siiiiiiiiigh....
Books we're reading (Auntie Jane, we should discuss some day...):
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Girl who Played with Fire
Stu has read both, I've read the first one and am part way into the 2nd (and can't wait to hunker down tonight and polish off another hundred pages! Am I turning into a nerd!?!?)
Where to begin??
this is going to be quick and spit fire so forgive me:
Vientiane in Brief:
-Met a friend. Had dinner with him at crazy good Indian Restaurant...
-Had lunch with him at absolutely dreadful street stall.
good good cultural fun.
-doughnuts in Vientiane= 8 for $1. seriously good.
-deep fried pork dumplings= 8 for $1. seriously dangerous!
-kim chi from the grocery store in a bag = my new fave!
-really nice hostel.
-Went to the stadium... totally dead. We did a lap of the track. A complete ghost town. Slightly eerie.
-Went to the museum... closed
-day marker was hectic
-bough eclipse in the wrong language. woops!
Overall impression of Vientiane:
Rocks. Totally loved it. One of our faves.
Vang Vieng in brief brief:
-lots of partiers...
-lots of mary jane...
-lots of cocaine...
-were going to go tubing but the weather had been brutal for 4 days before getting there and the water was dangerous...
-food stalls good
-iced coffee sublime!
-left after just one day
Overall impressin of Vang Vieng:
If it was not rainy season might have given it a better review... but it was, and therefore it sucked.
Luang Prabang in Brief:
-ride was horrifying.
-thought we would die
-life flashed before our eyes
-first night was in a single bed tiny room with gross blankets.. but what can you expect when you arrive at 2 am??
-first real day MUCH better. rewarded ourselves with an 'american breakfast'... walked around to travel places... I think this was the night that we met our friends from the bus (by the way, after our bus ride of death, all who were on the bus became kindred spirits for life)
-had dinner with them at a 'laos barbeque' place. really good and lots of fun!
-next day biked up a freaking mountain.... 30 km later we realized we were idiots in 45 degree heat.
-swam in a beautiful waterfall.
-saw some awesome bears
-walked past huge buffalo
-had dinner in an alleyway buffet (YUM!)
-met up with a friend from the bus (Asher) and booked an awesome trip for the next day.
-rode an elephant!
-kayaked in rapids!
-had dinner back in alleyway
-went out for drinks and made new friends
-flew to Bangkok!
Overall Impression of Luang Prabang: Beautiful! A bit more on the pricey side, but great!
Bangkok in Brief Brief:
-There for a day to pick up passport from the embassy
-had a nice lunch and sat for like 2 hours at the restaurant just because we were so darn tired. it was nice
-went back to the backpacker ghetto to book a trip the heck outta there.
-Stu bought some awesome soccer jerseys
-En Route to Krabi!
Krabi in Brief:
-Arrived yesterday. Totally beat after a 17 hour journey.
-Got completely and totally ripped off at a stupid travel place that had a monopoly. what were we to do but cry with our longtail boat between our legs.
-lots and lots of cats and kittens
-um, totally beautiful. lots of cliffs and a really crazy nice beach
-crabs galore
-cockroach in our room!!!
-a little on the expensive side, but this is a beach town!
-our first really good pad thai
Overall impression of Krabi:
When in Krabi go to Raylei ... really very nice and good. also, don't come in wet season... siiiiiiiiigh....
Books we're reading (Auntie Jane, we should discuss some day...):
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Girl who Played with Fire
Stu has read both, I've read the first one and am part way into the 2nd (and can't wait to hunker down tonight and polish off another hundred pages! Am I turning into a nerd!?!?)
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Road to Death!
WOW!
Remember way way back when, when Stu and I were on the horrifying death trip back from Tiger Leaping Gorge in China?
THIS WAS WORSE!
What a stark contrast from my emotions early in the drive.
We were meandering up a mountain side seeing the most picturesque views I have and probably will ever see in my lifetime.
Laos is stunning.
So beautiful it hurts.
Mountain ranges that seem to go on forever, bright green rice paddies, mountain side huts with beautiful children helping each other bathe in the communal tap. Little boys
Remember way way back when, when Stu and I were on the horrifying death trip back from Tiger Leaping Gorge in China?
THIS WAS WORSE!
What a stark contrast from my emotions early in the drive.
We were meandering up a mountain side seeing the most picturesque views I have and probably will ever see in my lifetime.
Laos is stunning.
So beautiful it hurts.
Mountain ranges that seem to go on forever, bright green rice paddies, mountain side huts with beautiful children helping each other bathe in the communal tap. Little boys
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer
When we met our friends Serina and Dan from England in Xi'an they were 3/4 of the way done their South East Asia/China trip.
They took pretty much the same route we are, except for they did it backwards, ending in China for their final month.
After we went to the Terracotta Warriors with them they spent the evening in the hostel and even ate dinner there. We didn't see them for the rest of the night because they were cooped up in their room!
I was horrified!
We had a whole DAY while they were inside. I remember it clearly! Biking atop the city wall, eating at a nice restaurant, walking aimlessly through the strange city streets.
I even said to Stuart, 'Can you imagine? Dan and Serina are staying in??'
And now, 3/4 of the way through our trip, I feel as though we are developing Dan and Serina syndrome. (However, most days we force ourselves to explore)
We are tired!
We are in desperate longing for western cuisine!
Our normal beds!
A beloved kitchen to cook in!
having said that...
We will hopefully snap out of it. We did spend the whole of today (pretty much, anyway...) exploring Vientiane.
We had AMAZING pizza at a little place that reminded Stuart of pizza he had in Italy (it was that good!)
We visited our friend that runs the internet cafe, tried hot and cold Laotian coffee.
We sipped from a coconut.
I made friends with our hotel service staff.
But I'm always tired.
No matter how much sleep I get!
and so is Stu.
I think tomorrow we're going to Vang Vieng.
It's supposed to rock.
Hopefully we'll be awake for it.
They took pretty much the same route we are, except for they did it backwards, ending in China for their final month.
After we went to the Terracotta Warriors with them they spent the evening in the hostel and even ate dinner there. We didn't see them for the rest of the night because they were cooped up in their room!
I was horrified!
We had a whole DAY while they were inside. I remember it clearly! Biking atop the city wall, eating at a nice restaurant, walking aimlessly through the strange city streets.
I even said to Stuart, 'Can you imagine? Dan and Serina are staying in??'
And now, 3/4 of the way through our trip, I feel as though we are developing Dan and Serina syndrome. (However, most days we force ourselves to explore)
We are tired!
We are in desperate longing for western cuisine!
Our normal beds!
A beloved kitchen to cook in!
having said that...
We will hopefully snap out of it. We did spend the whole of today (pretty much, anyway...) exploring Vientiane.
We had AMAZING pizza at a little place that reminded Stuart of pizza he had in Italy (it was that good!)
We visited our friend that runs the internet cafe, tried hot and cold Laotian coffee.
We sipped from a coconut.
I made friends with our hotel service staff.
But I'm always tired.
No matter how much sleep I get!
and so is Stu.
I think tomorrow we're going to Vang Vieng.
It's supposed to rock.
Hopefully we'll be awake for it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Laos-y!
We ended Thailand trip #1 (there will be two) with a 4 island snorkeling cruise off of Koh Chang
*Note: 'Koh' means island! and 'Chang' means Elephant!
and yes... there are elephants on the island!
none that we rode... but they're there!
Not wild... just hanging out.
The islands were beautiful! The water and the beach were (surprisingly) exactly what they showed us on the brochure!
Snorkeling was fun for about an hour, but truth be told, Stu and I would've been satisfied after island #1.
BUT, lying on the very front of the boat in my bikini with the sun beating down on me? There is really nothing better.
Wait, the only thing that could be better would be if I had pineapple and watermelon...
and I had pineapple.
And watermelon.
Are you jealous?
After our day long trip out on the blue blue sea, we decided to go out for Mexican! We'd been craving Mexican and talking about it for an hour...
we walked and walked and walked only to find a:
"CLOSED ON MONDAYS" sign.
It was Monday.
and it was closed.
We ended up eating great thai food though and got a spicy spicy salad from a street vendor on our way home. Yum!
Our LONGEST trip yet:
We rose at 6:30...
took a taxi at 7:30...
Got on a ferry at 8:30...
Arrived at Trat at 9:30...
waited for a bus until 11:15
rode a bus to bangkok until 6:15...
got on ANOTHER bus at 7:00 pm...
Next day:
got to the Thai border...
switched buses...
and arrived in Vientiane at 9:30 am.
VERY long journey, but here we are: Laos! Never thought we'd see the day!
Laos is aces all 'round.
Our place is nice and has breakfast included along with coffee all day and cake in the afternoon.
We had some mean Indian food for lunch and walked around the city.
Laos has the 'best coffee in the world' so iced coffee prices are out of this world!
You would not believe how many tourists are here if I told you.
You are thinking: Laos? Really? Wait, where is that? Is that a city? (at least I'm sure some of my friends are googling 'Laos' wondering where on the map it is) but out here in SE Asia, everyone is either going to Laos or talking about it.
So now that we're here, we'll probably rent bikes tomorrow and venture out. We both had a bit of a rough sleep last night so maybe we'll just take 'er easy this evening.
So nice to settle down again for 2 days in our 'new home' !
*Note: 'Koh' means island! and 'Chang' means Elephant!
and yes... there are elephants on the island!
none that we rode... but they're there!
Not wild... just hanging out.
The islands were beautiful! The water and the beach were (surprisingly) exactly what they showed us on the brochure!
Snorkeling was fun for about an hour, but truth be told, Stu and I would've been satisfied after island #1.
BUT, lying on the very front of the boat in my bikini with the sun beating down on me? There is really nothing better.
Wait, the only thing that could be better would be if I had pineapple and watermelon...
and I had pineapple.
And watermelon.
Are you jealous?
After our day long trip out on the blue blue sea, we decided to go out for Mexican! We'd been craving Mexican and talking about it for an hour...
we walked and walked and walked only to find a:
"CLOSED ON MONDAYS" sign.
It was Monday.
and it was closed.
We ended up eating great thai food though and got a spicy spicy salad from a street vendor on our way home. Yum!
Our LONGEST trip yet:
We rose at 6:30...
took a taxi at 7:30...
Got on a ferry at 8:30...
Arrived at Trat at 9:30...
waited for a bus until 11:15
rode a bus to bangkok until 6:15...
got on ANOTHER bus at 7:00 pm...
Next day:
got to the Thai border...
switched buses...
and arrived in Vientiane at 9:30 am.
VERY long journey, but here we are: Laos! Never thought we'd see the day!
Laos is aces all 'round.
Our place is nice and has breakfast included along with coffee all day and cake in the afternoon.
We had some mean Indian food for lunch and walked around the city.
Laos has the 'best coffee in the world' so iced coffee prices are out of this world!
You would not believe how many tourists are here if I told you.
You are thinking: Laos? Really? Wait, where is that? Is that a city? (at least I'm sure some of my friends are googling 'Laos' wondering where on the map it is) but out here in SE Asia, everyone is either going to Laos or talking about it.
So now that we're here, we'll probably rent bikes tomorrow and venture out. We both had a bit of a rough sleep last night so maybe we'll just take 'er easy this evening.
So nice to settle down again for 2 days in our 'new home' !
Saturday, July 17, 2010
R to the izzane
Rain.
Again.
Last night I had a wonderful time with new girlfriends.
5 of us (4 girls and poor stu) went out to dinner for a couple hours and then moved on to another place for drinks (well, in stu and my case french fries because the drinks were soooo expensive) when the other place closed.
We stayed there til closing chit chatting and telling stories. Lots of fun.
Highlight of yesterday.
Especially since the rest of the day was completely dreary.
I think we took 4 trips to the 7/11.
Dreary and rainy.
Not much else to report.
Again.
Last night I had a wonderful time with new girlfriends.
5 of us (4 girls and poor stu) went out to dinner for a couple hours and then moved on to another place for drinks (well, in stu and my case french fries because the drinks were soooo expensive) when the other place closed.
We stayed there til closing chit chatting and telling stories. Lots of fun.
Highlight of yesterday.
Especially since the rest of the day was completely dreary.
I think we took 4 trips to the 7/11.
Dreary and rainy.
Not much else to report.
Friday, July 16, 2010
I Love the Rolling Stones
I just spent way too much money on an iced americano...
but it's raining, this computer is nice, and Stuart is still sleeping.
I am looking at a guy wearing a skirt on TV in this coffee shop. Asia is HUGE for thinking crossdressers are like the funniest form of comedy.
Time to reveal something!
I had been super sick for a whole week, which is part of the reason we stayed in Bangkok so long. But, as of yesterday, miracle of miracles, I'm better!!!
I didn't want to say anything and have my mom worry because I thought it was just bad food poisoning and apparently I was right ... (or something...)
Today, and last night, really, we are in Kho Chang!
Beach town of beach towns!
Expensive, too! Can't find a proper iced coffee for under 2 dollars!
Where have all the street vendors gone???
Decent beach, but quite similar to the ones in Cambodia I think!
I miss that massage was cheap in Cambodia... should've gotten one...
I realized something: When people were telling me that massages are 'SOOO cheap in Thailand!' before we left, that they were really saying 'SOOO much cheaper than Canada' not 'SOOO much cheaper than other South East Asian Countries'
Drat!
Yuck! My iced americano just came and it tastes like I'm back at Starbucks.. siigh, why do they try to westernize?? why!??!
Coffee is my favorite thing about traveling. Pretty sure if I do get a chance to write articles about SE Asia, one will entirely be dedicated to coffee.
A runner just ran by.
Running!! I miss you!!!
Even if it takes me 3 years, I have determined that Ironman training WILL start in 2010!
Speaking of which:
At one of the crazy Bangkok malls we saw the New Balance store was having a crazy sale!
70% off ALL APPAREL!
Of course, since all the malls are intensely expensive, most of the stuff was picked through.
But I did get an awesome running outfit (black and pink shorts, black tank) including the perfect sports bra, for just 30 dollars!
Non runners, you won't think it's that great, but runners, you know that a good new balance sports bra itself is upwards of 50 dollars!
Our trip here was SO LONG!
It seems like all of them are like that...
Stuart and I were reminising about our very worst journey and that was DEFINITELY from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, and I started writing an article about it just because it was so miserable that it's completely hilarious.
Let me tell you about the room we got:
First we looked with these girls from Denmark at places along the beach ('bungalow style') NOT as wonderful as you're picturing in your head.
I always had it in my head that I wanted to stay at a 'beachfront bungalow'.. but no more!
Oh so rustic...
Kho Chang is very jungely...
which means a pretty much infinate amount of mammels, reptiles, bugs, and arachnids can be found here...
that being said, most of the 'rustic bungalows' opened up to the outside, or had huge spaces under the door leading to outside... where the creatures are...
The woman at one bungalow we stopped at said when she was showing me the room "Animals can get in because it's open, but the good thing is, they can get out, too. If you're in a closed room and an animal is in there from the beginning, it's not going anywhere."
EWW!
and then she paused "It's filthy, really. Really not healthy here." (She was white, middle aged, and I'm guessing, not the owner).
We saw another place that was absolutely beautiful right by the beach... but it was 700 baht... (around 22 dollars) A little over our budget.
We saw this crappy place up by the road... at least it looked crappy from the outside.
We saw a room, a heavenly, beautiful, perfect room:
HUGE, big bed (one bed, finally!!!), big TV, wooden dresser, clean and spotless bathroom with hot water, AC, a table and chairs, and a balcony!!!
500 baht.
More like it, but we knew it was low season.
"We'll give you 400" I said.
"I can not" she said.
"We can't stay here for 500, too expensive."
"We have fan rooms for 300."
"Nope, we're taking air con. 400. For 3 nights, okay?"
"450"
"400"
"I can not. 450. Final."
By this point I think Stu was on the verge of giving up.
We were about to leave and I turned back and said,
"400. Right now. Cash for 3 nights, that's 1200 baht. Okay? 400."
"You stay 4 nights."
"We don't know if we're staying 4 nights. 3 nights, maybe 4, okay?"
"Okay, she said. 400."
VICTORY!
I'm getting good at this bartering thing!
(finally!!!)
Anyway, it's beautiful and perfect and so cheap for this island!
I'm thinking of interviewing someone down at the beach today... maybe one of the fire guys... that might be hard though.
There's these guys that did a fire performance last night on the beach that was freaking awesome.. but who knows if they speak english.
My next best bet, I think, is the expat with the 'unhealthy' bungalows.
We'll see!
The roads here are VERY steep and windey... and yesterday we were in a 'taxi' crammed with about 18 people (it was a pick up with benches in the back that moved as we drove) and three guys were hanging on the back... it was scary! and I'm pretty sure they were scared too (tourists, not locals). That driver must've made a killing though, charging us each 50 baht!
Ok, I was due for a decent update, and there it is!
ps the title has nothing to do with the update... but I do love the Rolling Stones.
I can't get no satisfaction, baby!
but it's raining, this computer is nice, and Stuart is still sleeping.
I am looking at a guy wearing a skirt on TV in this coffee shop. Asia is HUGE for thinking crossdressers are like the funniest form of comedy.
Time to reveal something!
I had been super sick for a whole week, which is part of the reason we stayed in Bangkok so long. But, as of yesterday, miracle of miracles, I'm better!!!
I didn't want to say anything and have my mom worry because I thought it was just bad food poisoning and apparently I was right ... (or something...)
Today, and last night, really, we are in Kho Chang!
Beach town of beach towns!
Expensive, too! Can't find a proper iced coffee for under 2 dollars!
Where have all the street vendors gone???
Decent beach, but quite similar to the ones in Cambodia I think!
I miss that massage was cheap in Cambodia... should've gotten one...
I realized something: When people were telling me that massages are 'SOOO cheap in Thailand!' before we left, that they were really saying 'SOOO much cheaper than Canada' not 'SOOO much cheaper than other South East Asian Countries'
Drat!
Yuck! My iced americano just came and it tastes like I'm back at Starbucks.. siigh, why do they try to westernize?? why!??!
Coffee is my favorite thing about traveling. Pretty sure if I do get a chance to write articles about SE Asia, one will entirely be dedicated to coffee.
A runner just ran by.
Running!! I miss you!!!
Even if it takes me 3 years, I have determined that Ironman training WILL start in 2010!
Speaking of which:
At one of the crazy Bangkok malls we saw the New Balance store was having a crazy sale!
70% off ALL APPAREL!
Of course, since all the malls are intensely expensive, most of the stuff was picked through.
But I did get an awesome running outfit (black and pink shorts, black tank) including the perfect sports bra, for just 30 dollars!
Non runners, you won't think it's that great, but runners, you know that a good new balance sports bra itself is upwards of 50 dollars!
Our trip here was SO LONG!
It seems like all of them are like that...
Stuart and I were reminising about our very worst journey and that was DEFINITELY from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, and I started writing an article about it just because it was so miserable that it's completely hilarious.
Let me tell you about the room we got:
First we looked with these girls from Denmark at places along the beach ('bungalow style') NOT as wonderful as you're picturing in your head.
I always had it in my head that I wanted to stay at a 'beachfront bungalow'.. but no more!
Oh so rustic...
Kho Chang is very jungely...
which means a pretty much infinate amount of mammels, reptiles, bugs, and arachnids can be found here...
that being said, most of the 'rustic bungalows' opened up to the outside, or had huge spaces under the door leading to outside... where the creatures are...
The woman at one bungalow we stopped at said when she was showing me the room "Animals can get in because it's open, but the good thing is, they can get out, too. If you're in a closed room and an animal is in there from the beginning, it's not going anywhere."
EWW!
and then she paused "It's filthy, really. Really not healthy here." (She was white, middle aged, and I'm guessing, not the owner).
We saw another place that was absolutely beautiful right by the beach... but it was 700 baht... (around 22 dollars) A little over our budget.
We saw this crappy place up by the road... at least it looked crappy from the outside.
We saw a room, a heavenly, beautiful, perfect room:
HUGE, big bed (one bed, finally!!!), big TV, wooden dresser, clean and spotless bathroom with hot water, AC, a table and chairs, and a balcony!!!
500 baht.
More like it, but we knew it was low season.
"We'll give you 400" I said.
"I can not" she said.
"We can't stay here for 500, too expensive."
"We have fan rooms for 300."
"Nope, we're taking air con. 400. For 3 nights, okay?"
"450"
"400"
"I can not. 450. Final."
By this point I think Stu was on the verge of giving up.
We were about to leave and I turned back and said,
"400. Right now. Cash for 3 nights, that's 1200 baht. Okay? 400."
"You stay 4 nights."
"We don't know if we're staying 4 nights. 3 nights, maybe 4, okay?"
"Okay, she said. 400."
VICTORY!
I'm getting good at this bartering thing!
(finally!!!)
Anyway, it's beautiful and perfect and so cheap for this island!
I'm thinking of interviewing someone down at the beach today... maybe one of the fire guys... that might be hard though.
There's these guys that did a fire performance last night on the beach that was freaking awesome.. but who knows if they speak english.
My next best bet, I think, is the expat with the 'unhealthy' bungalows.
We'll see!
The roads here are VERY steep and windey... and yesterday we were in a 'taxi' crammed with about 18 people (it was a pick up with benches in the back that moved as we drove) and three guys were hanging on the back... it was scary! and I'm pretty sure they were scared too (tourists, not locals). That driver must've made a killing though, charging us each 50 baht!
Ok, I was due for a decent update, and there it is!
ps the title has nothing to do with the update... but I do love the Rolling Stones.
I can't get no satisfaction, baby!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
downtown!
Stuart and I hit downtown Bangkok
amazing!
AMAZING!
So fancy! So high class! Never seen anything like the malls of downtown.
I'm too tired to write much... but I'll write some.
Spent 2 days ago at the Canadian Embassy...
LONG time waiting, but we had a BLAST playing all sorts of card games in the waiting area. Missed playing cards and wondered why we hadn't done it in so long.
Stuart is the worlds best.
We have never had so much fun with each other as we have in Bangkok. I think this is my favorite memory with Stuart so far in our relationship.
We went and saw The A-Team yesterday at the fanciest movie theatre ever!
We both gave it 3/5.
BUT... to be fair, it was a really fun/over the top movie! I would probably see it again.
I tried to convince him to see Eclipse with me but he wouldn't :(
I bought some MAC loose eye shadow in the mall and it's SO pretty.
Mom, if you're reading this, I got some for you and Sharalin!
Even if you're not reading this... I still got you some...
I got some tank tops for about a buck each and they're so pretty!
what else...
we both have no appetite in Bangkok for some reason. Maybe it's the heat or something...
we ate at burger king in the mall. I think that might be my new favorite fast food.
I know what you all are thinking "vanessa, eating a burger?!?!"
but you try eating ethnic food day and night, night and day! A vegetarian would be crying for a whopper!
not sure what else is new.
the place we're staying is really nice.
shared bathroom though, but it's really clean and good.
our air conditioner is either freezing or doesnt work. take your pick.
BUT the beds are nice... but rock hard and the blankets are gross.
Maybe the place isn't that great after all... but it seems great somehow... probably because we've struck out with some of our other places recently.
The showers have warm water, that's a plus!
Oh, getting back to the embassy thing...
I have to renew my stinkin passport which costs an arm and a leg out here because I don't have a gaurantor. BUT it saves the hassle of having to do it back in Canada and waiting forever, right?
It has to be 6 months valid and it's only 6 months valid until august 15. soooo close, and yet, so far from the end of our trip!
I'm not homesick, but for the time being, I feel like I'm so done with traveling. I just want to stay in one spot.. I think that's part of the reason we've been in Bangkok for like 5 days... we both just have a craving to stay in one spot and settle down.
BUT
tomorrow we head for Kho Chang which is supposed to be amazing for snorkeling and scuba!
amazing!
AMAZING!
So fancy! So high class! Never seen anything like the malls of downtown.
I'm too tired to write much... but I'll write some.
Spent 2 days ago at the Canadian Embassy...
LONG time waiting, but we had a BLAST playing all sorts of card games in the waiting area. Missed playing cards and wondered why we hadn't done it in so long.
Stuart is the worlds best.
We have never had so much fun with each other as we have in Bangkok. I think this is my favorite memory with Stuart so far in our relationship.
We went and saw The A-Team yesterday at the fanciest movie theatre ever!
We both gave it 3/5.
BUT... to be fair, it was a really fun/over the top movie! I would probably see it again.
I tried to convince him to see Eclipse with me but he wouldn't :(
I bought some MAC loose eye shadow in the mall and it's SO pretty.
Mom, if you're reading this, I got some for you and Sharalin!
Even if you're not reading this... I still got you some...
I got some tank tops for about a buck each and they're so pretty!
what else...
we both have no appetite in Bangkok for some reason. Maybe it's the heat or something...
we ate at burger king in the mall. I think that might be my new favorite fast food.
I know what you all are thinking "vanessa, eating a burger?!?!"
but you try eating ethnic food day and night, night and day! A vegetarian would be crying for a whopper!
not sure what else is new.
the place we're staying is really nice.
shared bathroom though, but it's really clean and good.
our air conditioner is either freezing or doesnt work. take your pick.
BUT the beds are nice... but rock hard and the blankets are gross.
Maybe the place isn't that great after all... but it seems great somehow... probably because we've struck out with some of our other places recently.
The showers have warm water, that's a plus!
Oh, getting back to the embassy thing...
I have to renew my stinkin passport which costs an arm and a leg out here because I don't have a gaurantor. BUT it saves the hassle of having to do it back in Canada and waiting forever, right?
It has to be 6 months valid and it's only 6 months valid until august 15. soooo close, and yet, so far from the end of our trip!
I'm not homesick, but for the time being, I feel like I'm so done with traveling. I just want to stay in one spot.. I think that's part of the reason we've been in Bangkok for like 5 days... we both just have a craving to stay in one spot and settle down.
BUT
tomorrow we head for Kho Chang which is supposed to be amazing for snorkeling and scuba!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
BANG! kok
LOVE it.
Our bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok was just $8... but for a reason...
SO hot... SO long... SO inefficient. BUT... we're HERE!
Spent last night wandering the infamous Kho San strip and eating street food (pad thai) in an air con McDonalds!
fun night, but we were deadly tired from the night before and from rising early for our million hour bus ride. We went to bed around 11:30 in hopes of waking at 1:30am for the world cup game.
Woke up around 2:00am and dragged our butts back out in the street where we felt sick, boiling hot, and were chairless (it was PACKED). Deliriously we headed back to our bed and decided that we'll stay up for tonight's game instead.
Today thus far...
GREAT day so far.
Woke up and had eggs and toast. Coffee SUCKS here... well, at least the coffee I had.
We split a WHOPPER of a pitcher of watermelon shake which was amazing!
Spent hours there talking about our trip so far.
Stu went back to the room (not feeling too well) and I wandered around shopping.
A guy asked me if I wanted a tattoo, so I went to his parlor out of curiosity and ran into 2 huge guys who gave me an absolutely KILLER story for the newspaper (I think I'm getting my hopes up too high...) Interviewed the guys, took pictures, exchanged info and went back to the hotel.
(The guy's story involves spending a day in a Thai prison... which is why he was in the tattoo parlor, getting 'I've been to jail in Thailand' tattooed on his forearm)
Went back out and looked for a bank that wouldn't charge us a huge fee but to no avail.
The end (so far...!)
Our bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok was just $8... but for a reason...
SO hot... SO long... SO inefficient. BUT... we're HERE!
Spent last night wandering the infamous Kho San strip and eating street food (pad thai) in an air con McDonalds!
fun night, but we were deadly tired from the night before and from rising early for our million hour bus ride. We went to bed around 11:30 in hopes of waking at 1:30am for the world cup game.
Woke up around 2:00am and dragged our butts back out in the street where we felt sick, boiling hot, and were chairless (it was PACKED). Deliriously we headed back to our bed and decided that we'll stay up for tonight's game instead.
Today thus far...
GREAT day so far.
Woke up and had eggs and toast. Coffee SUCKS here... well, at least the coffee I had.
We split a WHOPPER of a pitcher of watermelon shake which was amazing!
Spent hours there talking about our trip so far.
Stu went back to the room (not feeling too well) and I wandered around shopping.
A guy asked me if I wanted a tattoo, so I went to his parlor out of curiosity and ran into 2 huge guys who gave me an absolutely KILLER story for the newspaper (I think I'm getting my hopes up too high...) Interviewed the guys, took pictures, exchanged info and went back to the hotel.
(The guy's story involves spending a day in a Thai prison... which is why he was in the tattoo parlor, getting 'I've been to jail in Thailand' tattooed on his forearm)
Went back out and looked for a bank that wouldn't charge us a huge fee but to no avail.
The end (so far...!)
Friday, July 9, 2010
Weary Templers
What's up Chilliwack?
This morning we left for Angkor Wat bright and early... well, it wasn't supposed to be bright, but it was getting there... and fast.
Turns out our wake-up 'sunrise' call didn't come at the time we requested....
HOWEVER it was JUST beginning when we hopped on our bikes and headed the 7km (at 5:15am no less) to Angkor Wat.
We biked as fast as we could. Half way I began to feel quite ill.
As soon as we got to Angkor Wat, the famous creme de la creme of Cambodia...
...such a source of national pride that it is displayed front and centre on their flag...
I puked. At Angkor Wat. Front entrance.
Just me, Stu, and hundreds of other tourists and sales people.
Adorable, right?
It was okay after that. Sunrise was quite nice and we got a killer deal on breakfast because EVERYONE was vying for our attention.
Stuart and I accomplished what they say can not be done: we saw (almost) the entire small circuit AND big circuit in ONE, count it, ONE day on bikes!
Mind you, it was long... it was a COOKER... but it was actually pretty fun!
The roads going from temple to temple are lined with huge shady trees and if you're lucky, monkeys!
We were lucky!! We saw a whole monkey colony hanging out on the sides of the street!
And when Stu looked up... what did he see?
An ADORABLE baby kitten in a small tree.
It was the cutest picture.
Little kitten up a little tree, surrounded by little monkeys.
Everything's better in minature.
Well.. not EVERYTHING, but at least furry animals.
The temples were pretty sweet.
I mean, they're a wonder of the world so they'd better be sweet!
I think it was cooler than stone henge.
It cost a LOT to get in... but our bikes were a buck a pop so I think we were okay.
We ended up getting an illegal tour guide for $1 for a little while to show us around Bayon. It was fun but totally weird because everytime he saw a Cambodian he walked way ahead of us like he wasn't with us so he wouldn't get busted.
But the real tour guides were like $10 and this guy knew his stuff so we were okay.
At the end of our tour with him Stuart and I were mauled by red ants. They bite hard!
Next:
Our lunchtime goal was to get iced coffee four for a dollar. I told Stu he was crazy and that three for a dollar would even be amazing.
We got to the stalls (which we heard were quite pricey) and women everywhere were BEGGING us to eat at their stall.
They argued with one another (not even us!) making the price lower and lower and lower... it was then that Stuart moved in with his proposal: 4 iced coffee's for 1 dollar.
BAM!
We got our meals for $1.00 and four iced coffee's for a dollar! Cést trés impressive, non?
We spent the remainder of our time there talking to a little girl who I ended up interviewing. (I MAY have a little gig with the Langley Advance writing travel stories... MAY, don't spread it around)
After interviewing her I got pictures of her alone, with me, her family, etc.
She sells flutes in one of the stalls, her sister persuades people to come to the stalls, her mom cooks, and her dad owns it.
We talked about their house, their family life, what they do for fun, how much they work, her aspirations, etc.
Then Stu and I went to her school and I talked to a teacher there about the school, poverty, etc. Took pictures of him and some students and the school.
It was totally fun!
We powered through the rest of the temples, but I have to say, the part that was the most fun for me was the biking around. It was beautiful. The second best: all the trees that were growing over the stones of the temple with their roots drooping over. It looked awesome!
Took some pictures and had a full full day...
I think we were there for about 14 hours.
Worth it? I think so. Looking back it was loads of fun and pretty spectacular.
This morning we left for Angkor Wat bright and early... well, it wasn't supposed to be bright, but it was getting there... and fast.
Turns out our wake-up 'sunrise' call didn't come at the time we requested....
HOWEVER it was JUST beginning when we hopped on our bikes and headed the 7km (at 5:15am no less) to Angkor Wat.
We biked as fast as we could. Half way I began to feel quite ill.
As soon as we got to Angkor Wat, the famous creme de la creme of Cambodia...
...such a source of national pride that it is displayed front and centre on their flag...
I puked. At Angkor Wat. Front entrance.
Just me, Stu, and hundreds of other tourists and sales people.
Adorable, right?
It was okay after that. Sunrise was quite nice and we got a killer deal on breakfast because EVERYONE was vying for our attention.
Stuart and I accomplished what they say can not be done: we saw (almost) the entire small circuit AND big circuit in ONE, count it, ONE day on bikes!
Mind you, it was long... it was a COOKER... but it was actually pretty fun!
The roads going from temple to temple are lined with huge shady trees and if you're lucky, monkeys!
We were lucky!! We saw a whole monkey colony hanging out on the sides of the street!
And when Stu looked up... what did he see?
An ADORABLE baby kitten in a small tree.
It was the cutest picture.
Little kitten up a little tree, surrounded by little monkeys.
Everything's better in minature.
Well.. not EVERYTHING, but at least furry animals.
The temples were pretty sweet.
I mean, they're a wonder of the world so they'd better be sweet!
I think it was cooler than stone henge.
It cost a LOT to get in... but our bikes were a buck a pop so I think we were okay.
We ended up getting an illegal tour guide for $1 for a little while to show us around Bayon. It was fun but totally weird because everytime he saw a Cambodian he walked way ahead of us like he wasn't with us so he wouldn't get busted.
But the real tour guides were like $10 and this guy knew his stuff so we were okay.
At the end of our tour with him Stuart and I were mauled by red ants. They bite hard!
Next:
Our lunchtime goal was to get iced coffee four for a dollar. I told Stu he was crazy and that three for a dollar would even be amazing.
We got to the stalls (which we heard were quite pricey) and women everywhere were BEGGING us to eat at their stall.
They argued with one another (not even us!) making the price lower and lower and lower... it was then that Stuart moved in with his proposal: 4 iced coffee's for 1 dollar.
BAM!
We got our meals for $1.00 and four iced coffee's for a dollar! Cést trés impressive, non?
We spent the remainder of our time there talking to a little girl who I ended up interviewing. (I MAY have a little gig with the Langley Advance writing travel stories... MAY, don't spread it around)
After interviewing her I got pictures of her alone, with me, her family, etc.
She sells flutes in one of the stalls, her sister persuades people to come to the stalls, her mom cooks, and her dad owns it.
We talked about their house, their family life, what they do for fun, how much they work, her aspirations, etc.
Then Stu and I went to her school and I talked to a teacher there about the school, poverty, etc. Took pictures of him and some students and the school.
It was totally fun!
We powered through the rest of the temples, but I have to say, the part that was the most fun for me was the biking around. It was beautiful. The second best: all the trees that were growing over the stones of the temple with their roots drooping over. It looked awesome!
Took some pictures and had a full full day...
I think we were there for about 14 hours.
Worth it? I think so. Looking back it was loads of fun and pretty spectacular.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Siem Reaper
Blah, it's soooo hot.
My head pealed yesterday! I looked like I had a skin disease!
Better now.
Yesterday we did a whole lot of biking around and exploring downtown Siem Reap!
It's a fun little town... all tourists...
markets by day... markets by night...
food from Khmer to Pizza to Mexican to French
Things cost significantly more here and that can be attributed to it's booming tourism.
It's not even high season right now and the place is PACKED with whitey's.
Not my favorite place, but then again, we haven't seen it's draw yet: angkor wat.
Yesterday we had mexican for lunch. Margaritas and tacos.
Great tacos.
Sad, sad margaritas.
Wandered around the markets and bought fans. (I know, right?! But it was SO HOT!)
Went back to our beautiful air con room to wait out the heat of the day.
We were going to watch the sun set at Angkor Wat... but we were too late...
We had to go to a bank first but we couldn't find one close by... the sun was getting lower and lower and Angkor was a 7 km bikeride from where we were. siiigh.
BUT we made up for it by having an AMAZING pizza at ''Pizza Company" Something we hadn't done since our Pizza Hut splurge in China.
They had a salad bar (over priced) and you were only allowed to fill up this little dinky bowl. Stuart and I decided to make it our mission to jam as much as we could, and stack as high as we could.
It was fun... but then the manager came and said "You are two people?" and I defensively and nervously said "No!'I'm eating this myself!"
... but he wasn't busting us, just moving us to a smaller table, fewf!
Biked around for a little bit, walked for a little bit, then chatted with our bike rental lady (who is HILARIOUS) before heading home to watch the game (which was on at 1:30)
Needless to say, I fell asleep before 12.
The End!
My head pealed yesterday! I looked like I had a skin disease!
Better now.
Yesterday we did a whole lot of biking around and exploring downtown Siem Reap!
It's a fun little town... all tourists...
markets by day... markets by night...
food from Khmer to Pizza to Mexican to French
Things cost significantly more here and that can be attributed to it's booming tourism.
It's not even high season right now and the place is PACKED with whitey's.
Not my favorite place, but then again, we haven't seen it's draw yet: angkor wat.
Yesterday we had mexican for lunch. Margaritas and tacos.
Great tacos.
Sad, sad margaritas.
Wandered around the markets and bought fans. (I know, right?! But it was SO HOT!)
Went back to our beautiful air con room to wait out the heat of the day.
We were going to watch the sun set at Angkor Wat... but we were too late...
We had to go to a bank first but we couldn't find one close by... the sun was getting lower and lower and Angkor was a 7 km bikeride from where we were. siiigh.
BUT we made up for it by having an AMAZING pizza at ''Pizza Company" Something we hadn't done since our Pizza Hut splurge in China.
They had a salad bar (over priced) and you were only allowed to fill up this little dinky bowl. Stuart and I decided to make it our mission to jam as much as we could, and stack as high as we could.
It was fun... but then the manager came and said "You are two people?" and I defensively and nervously said "No!'I'm eating this myself!"
... but he wasn't busting us, just moving us to a smaller table, fewf!
Biked around for a little bit, walked for a little bit, then chatted with our bike rental lady (who is HILARIOUS) before heading home to watch the game (which was on at 1:30)
Needless to say, I fell asleep before 12.
The End!
2 pictures... because it's soooo slow
Shanghai... very early i the morning (hence the messy hair and fake looking smiles)Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Angkor What??
FINALLY
It was a harrowing journey, but at last we have arrived: Siem Reap.
Yesterday we were on a bus to PP for 5 hours (no bathroom) and made bi-hourly stops to squatter toilets. What a pleasure!
We got off the bus to find that we'd missed our next bus by 15 minutes. Thanks driver. thanks a lot!
There was another coming in 45 minutes so Stu found an internet cafe while I chased down (literally chased down, he was biking down a busy street) an iced coffee vendor. (Iced coffee makes everything better).
Our next bus was supposed to take between 5 and 6 hours and ended up taking more like 7 and a half.
When we arrived it was late. The sky was dark and the mosquitos were buzzing.
A tuk tuk driver took us to some place. I don't know what the name is, but he gets commission to take people here and that's where we are now.
Our room was the grossest room we've ever stayed in last night.
Dead bugs on the bed
Pillows that literally crunched (what caused the texture? no idea)
The walls looked like they were rotting
The share bathrooms had interesting hairs on their wet floors
Way over priced. Four dollars?! Are you KIDDING?!
The place we stayed in Sihinukville had 2 big beds, private bathroom, and was clean with a TV for 4 bucks!
Anyway, tonight they're moving us to an.... AIR CON ROOM! It's way more expensive and in their actual hotel!
(the place we stayed was some concrete building BY the hotel. Mom, I can just see you cringing)
Anyway, today off to explore Siem Reap.
Tomorrow, off to Angkor Wat!
It was a harrowing journey, but at last we have arrived: Siem Reap.
Yesterday we were on a bus to PP for 5 hours (no bathroom) and made bi-hourly stops to squatter toilets. What a pleasure!
We got off the bus to find that we'd missed our next bus by 15 minutes. Thanks driver. thanks a lot!
There was another coming in 45 minutes so Stu found an internet cafe while I chased down (literally chased down, he was biking down a busy street) an iced coffee vendor. (Iced coffee makes everything better).
Our next bus was supposed to take between 5 and 6 hours and ended up taking more like 7 and a half.
When we arrived it was late. The sky was dark and the mosquitos were buzzing.
A tuk tuk driver took us to some place. I don't know what the name is, but he gets commission to take people here and that's where we are now.
Our room was the grossest room we've ever stayed in last night.
Dead bugs on the bed
Pillows that literally crunched (what caused the texture? no idea)
The walls looked like they were rotting
The share bathrooms had interesting hairs on their wet floors
Way over priced. Four dollars?! Are you KIDDING?!
The place we stayed in Sihinukville had 2 big beds, private bathroom, and was clean with a TV for 4 bucks!
Anyway, tonight they're moving us to an.... AIR CON ROOM! It's way more expensive and in their actual hotel!
(the place we stayed was some concrete building BY the hotel. Mom, I can just see you cringing)
Anyway, today off to explore Siem Reap.
Tomorrow, off to Angkor Wat!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Caught by the Po Po
Stuart and I got busted by the police yesterday.
It was kind of scary!
They pulled us over into these bushes and there were like 5 of them.
We had rented a motorbike and the popo said we needed a Cambodian license.
We obviously didn't have one.
They tried to make us fork over $50...
we ended up giving them 7.5
Stupid motorbike! Stupid police! Stupid no license!
It was kind of scary!
They pulled us over into these bushes and there were like 5 of them.
We had rented a motorbike and the popo said we needed a Cambodian license.
We obviously didn't have one.
They tried to make us fork over $50...
we ended up giving them 7.5
Stupid motorbike! Stupid police! Stupid no license!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
BAM!
Oh mosquitos, won't you leave me alone?!
KEP!
There once lived a lazy beach town far far away...
a town where no one got off the bus except for Stuart, me and two old ladies.
A town where there are only 3 tuk tuk drivers.
A town where monkeys roam free.
A town where nearly every guest house is wildly overpriced even in low season.
This town is a town where Stuart and I ate fresh crab and watched the sun set at a crappy little shack and did not get sick.
A town where skinny black dogs sat beside us and begged for scraps.
Where our sink leaked.
Where there were rules in our room prohibiting sexual activity.
A town that we had to get out of...
FAST!
Rabbit Island!
We got a killer deal on a boat trip to Rabbit Island (about 5 km from Kep).
So, after cramming the boat with supplies for the Island restaurants and a few locals, along with 6 tourists, we took off (sloowly) on a wooden boat that putted us to the magical beach.
BEAUTIFUL and quite secluded, we spent about 7 hours lazing around. Had breakfast, lunch, and a nice swim.
Very picturesque.
Very worth it.
We met some guy from Australia who said he was going to move to Cambodia for a while (you meet such hippi's traveling, I'm telling you!) but I tried to convince him to live in Vietnam and told him it was cheaper.
The boat ride home was unreal...
thought I would die.
the water was HUGELY choppy and the boat was, well, a little Cambodian putt putt boat.
I even wore one of their nasty life jackets!
That night we got on a bus and headed for my new favorite place in the world: Sihanouke Ville
HERE's where all the hippi's go to retire from hippi-ing!
First night we stayed in a crummy place with an annoying rip offing owner, and I don't even wanna TALK about it. haha.
BUT
now we're at a decent place with pillows that don't feel like you're sleeping on 10 pairs of socks.
the beaches are sick.
the people are awesome.
It's rainy season so that kind of bites.
but to be fair, yesterday was perfectly sunny and we spent practically the whole day at the beach burning ourselves to a crisp... walking to downtown (a little further than we thought!)... and watching the sunset back at the beach with dinners of noodles, chicken, rice, calamari and deep fried shrimp. YUM!!!
I met this CRAZY lady yesterday and drank some funky Cambodian whiskey with her out of a plastic water bottle... we chased it with some sour vegetable with spicy powder. it was DEADLY! and hilarious... because the crazy woman was hilarious...
Tried to watch the soccer game in the evening... but I fell asleep after Deutchland's first goal... but it was a good goal.. right?! So I'm okay with that.
Today it's rainy (hence all the writing).
Happy Independence Day to all you Yankees out there!
KEP!
There once lived a lazy beach town far far away...
a town where no one got off the bus except for Stuart, me and two old ladies.
A town where there are only 3 tuk tuk drivers.
A town where monkeys roam free.
A town where nearly every guest house is wildly overpriced even in low season.
This town is a town where Stuart and I ate fresh crab and watched the sun set at a crappy little shack and did not get sick.
A town where skinny black dogs sat beside us and begged for scraps.
Where our sink leaked.
Where there were rules in our room prohibiting sexual activity.
A town that we had to get out of...
FAST!
Rabbit Island!
We got a killer deal on a boat trip to Rabbit Island (about 5 km from Kep).
So, after cramming the boat with supplies for the Island restaurants and a few locals, along with 6 tourists, we took off (sloowly) on a wooden boat that putted us to the magical beach.
BEAUTIFUL and quite secluded, we spent about 7 hours lazing around. Had breakfast, lunch, and a nice swim.
Very picturesque.
Very worth it.
We met some guy from Australia who said he was going to move to Cambodia for a while (you meet such hippi's traveling, I'm telling you!) but I tried to convince him to live in Vietnam and told him it was cheaper.
The boat ride home was unreal...
thought I would die.
the water was HUGELY choppy and the boat was, well, a little Cambodian putt putt boat.
I even wore one of their nasty life jackets!
That night we got on a bus and headed for my new favorite place in the world: Sihanouke Ville
HERE's where all the hippi's go to retire from hippi-ing!
First night we stayed in a crummy place with an annoying rip offing owner, and I don't even wanna TALK about it. haha.
BUT
now we're at a decent place with pillows that don't feel like you're sleeping on 10 pairs of socks.
the beaches are sick.
the people are awesome.
It's rainy season so that kind of bites.
but to be fair, yesterday was perfectly sunny and we spent practically the whole day at the beach burning ourselves to a crisp... walking to downtown (a little further than we thought!)... and watching the sunset back at the beach with dinners of noodles, chicken, rice, calamari and deep fried shrimp. YUM!!!
I met this CRAZY lady yesterday and drank some funky Cambodian whiskey with her out of a plastic water bottle... we chased it with some sour vegetable with spicy powder. it was DEADLY! and hilarious... because the crazy woman was hilarious...
Tried to watch the soccer game in the evening... but I fell asleep after Deutchland's first goal... but it was a good goal.. right?! So I'm okay with that.
Today it's rainy (hence all the writing).
Happy Independence Day to all you Yankees out there!
Monday, June 28, 2010
PP!
A little tid bit before I dive in:
Last night I was stuck in an elevator. By myself.
I was going down down down when all of a sudden the elevator dropped and then slammed to a halt.
I waited 2 minutes to see if anything would happen, then pressed the emergency button.
I screamed "Hello?!" ... then nothing... then a minute later, some guys voice (I could barely hear him!) and I had no idea what he had said. Then nothing...
Then a little while later I heard him again "five minutes" was all I heard, then we were cut off again...
Then... DARKNESS! The power was completely shut off. I totally panicked and started yelling
"HELP HELP!" ... waited and waited, then the lights came back on, and, miracle of miracles, the elevator was making its descent!
Elevators = never. again. in. Cambodia.
(unless Stuart is with me and convinces me we'll be fine)
2 days ago:
Wait wait wait. I have to tell you about our horrible night at the cheap hotel.
Stuart and I literally got 10 minutes of sleep all night. and not in a good way.
It was SO hot and the fan was rarrin' and we were sinking into the bed and the pillows were made of burlap sacs and don't even get me started on the bathroom!
but...
It ended up working to our advantage because we had kind of talked about waking up at 4:30 and going to Olympic Stadium to watch the locals get down and funky.
We don't have a clock or an alarm except for the alarm we just realized we have on our iPod (which we don't have speakers for)... and I swear all night I was just waiting for it to go off so we could get up, shower, and leave!
We woke up Daina to come along with us, and I was surprisingly energetic as we briskly walked to the stadium, chattering all the while.
Glad we went.
Hundreds and hundreds of Cambodians were there dancing and doing aerobics.
Did I join them? Absolutely!
Not for very long though... I was getting some 'looks'...
because I was white?
Because I was bad?
Probably a combo of both.
Stu and I packed up our stuff after that and headed back to the Burly Hotel (where we stayed the first night) to assure ourselves that a good night sleep was ahead.
After that we had breakie and went to the Russian Market!
I am so regretting not buying anything there and now it's too late :( We're leaving this morning!
There are cheap DVD's and knock off Hollister and American Eagle. (they're good at knocking off!!)
We went to a church service at the World Vision Building after that (wow, it was nice to go to church after almost 2 months!) Glad James recommended it.
We met a lady there who teaches English at 'Place of Rescue' (where J+J worked) and she could hook us up with a tuk tuk ride and tour there the following day. Aces!
After church we had an AMAZING lunch at the Russian market, came home, and headed right back out to the killing fields.
Genocide at its most brutal.
After we took another trip to some gun place and Stu, Daina, and Kris shot an M-16 (not exactly my cup of tea!)
Our ride home was INTENSE! It was pouring rain... hard, and the tuk tuk driver tried to pull the sides of our carriage down for us, but apparently had quite a time with it and it ended up flying in the wind.
I can't describe it well enough, but it was hilariously miserable and we got some good video footage to show when we get home!
Went out to a smashing restaurant for dinner... thai and chinese, yum yum! Unfortunately, it was also panning out to be our 'farewell meal' with Kris and Daina. They were heading to Siem Reap, we were staying in PP for another day and then heading south.
Rescue
The next morning we woke bright and early and had breakfast in the gas station where we had planned to meet the woman that was hooking us up with a tuk tuk to the Rescue.
Ice coffee with condensed milk proved just the ticket for us to perk up for the journey ahead.
...Actually we slept for most of the ride...
We got a tour of the Place of Rescue (if you don't know what that is, it's where James and Julia worked 3 years ago). It rocks. It was awesome to see the place and the what God's doing here!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and shmucking around doing a whole lot of nothing and loving every minute!
Will write about Kep, Rabbit Island and Kampot later... right now... too tired...
Last night I was stuck in an elevator. By myself.
I was going down down down when all of a sudden the elevator dropped and then slammed to a halt.
I waited 2 minutes to see if anything would happen, then pressed the emergency button.
I screamed "Hello?!" ... then nothing... then a minute later, some guys voice (I could barely hear him!) and I had no idea what he had said. Then nothing...
Then a little while later I heard him again "five minutes" was all I heard, then we were cut off again...
Then... DARKNESS! The power was completely shut off. I totally panicked and started yelling
"HELP HELP!" ... waited and waited, then the lights came back on, and, miracle of miracles, the elevator was making its descent!
Elevators = never. again. in. Cambodia.
(unless Stuart is with me and convinces me we'll be fine)
2 days ago:
Wait wait wait. I have to tell you about our horrible night at the cheap hotel.
Stuart and I literally got 10 minutes of sleep all night. and not in a good way.
It was SO hot and the fan was rarrin' and we were sinking into the bed and the pillows were made of burlap sacs and don't even get me started on the bathroom!
but...
It ended up working to our advantage because we had kind of talked about waking up at 4:30 and going to Olympic Stadium to watch the locals get down and funky.
We don't have a clock or an alarm except for the alarm we just realized we have on our iPod (which we don't have speakers for)... and I swear all night I was just waiting for it to go off so we could get up, shower, and leave!
We woke up Daina to come along with us, and I was surprisingly energetic as we briskly walked to the stadium, chattering all the while.
Glad we went.
Hundreds and hundreds of Cambodians were there dancing and doing aerobics.
Did I join them? Absolutely!
Not for very long though... I was getting some 'looks'...
because I was white?
Because I was bad?
Probably a combo of both.
Stu and I packed up our stuff after that and headed back to the Burly Hotel (where we stayed the first night) to assure ourselves that a good night sleep was ahead.
After that we had breakie and went to the Russian Market!
I am so regretting not buying anything there and now it's too late :( We're leaving this morning!
There are cheap DVD's and knock off Hollister and American Eagle. (they're good at knocking off!!)
We went to a church service at the World Vision Building after that (wow, it was nice to go to church after almost 2 months!) Glad James recommended it.
We met a lady there who teaches English at 'Place of Rescue' (where J+J worked) and she could hook us up with a tuk tuk ride and tour there the following day. Aces!
After church we had an AMAZING lunch at the Russian market, came home, and headed right back out to the killing fields.
Genocide at its most brutal.
After we took another trip to some gun place and Stu, Daina, and Kris shot an M-16 (not exactly my cup of tea!)
Our ride home was INTENSE! It was pouring rain... hard, and the tuk tuk driver tried to pull the sides of our carriage down for us, but apparently had quite a time with it and it ended up flying in the wind.
I can't describe it well enough, but it was hilariously miserable and we got some good video footage to show when we get home!
Went out to a smashing restaurant for dinner... thai and chinese, yum yum! Unfortunately, it was also panning out to be our 'farewell meal' with Kris and Daina. They were heading to Siem Reap, we were staying in PP for another day and then heading south.
Rescue
The next morning we woke bright and early and had breakfast in the gas station where we had planned to meet the woman that was hooking us up with a tuk tuk to the Rescue.
Ice coffee with condensed milk proved just the ticket for us to perk up for the journey ahead.
...Actually we slept for most of the ride...
We got a tour of the Place of Rescue (if you don't know what that is, it's where James and Julia worked 3 years ago). It rocks. It was awesome to see the place and the what God's doing here!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and shmucking around doing a whole lot of nothing and loving every minute!
Will write about Kep, Rabbit Island and Kampot later... right now... too tired...
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Things
Thing number one:
Yesterday we were driving with the Koreans and found ourselves going the wrong way on a one way street and we were stopped by the police.
um, this is scarry, there's a guy outside screaming that he's going to kill someone. like, really screaming...
anyway... yikes.
So, he ended up paying the police some random amount of money (I think the police just make up some amount and make people pay it) and then he continued the wrong way on the one way street. We're living in bizarr-o world.
Thing number two:
When we were coming back from a trip in Vietnam to HaLong Bay, the 'drivers announcer' turned around and said to us "No laugh smiling!!!" Apparently we were being far too joyous.
so... anyway...
about today..
Daina and Kris were both sick and we all ended up waking up pretty late (and by we all, I mean Stuart, Daina, and Kris...) I had already read a big chunk of my book, gave myself a hair cut, showered, and looked up stuff about the Khmer Rouge online...
Daina, Kris, and Stu were really out of it, but I was rarring to go and happy as a clam at high tide! We ended up going to some pizza place for 'breakfast'. Most of the food here in Cambodia is western... or Korean (yum yum!)
After lunch we hit up the supermarket when it suddenly started raining BUCKETS.
Stu and I waited it out in a bookstore reading hilarious books.
The afternoon was spent finding a cheaper guest house (our first night was spent in a nice hotel) and we successfully found a $5 a night, no air con, very decent place (but it's a COOKER!)
The biggest draw is there are two of the most adorable puppies I've ever seen prancing around the semi-outdoor reception area at all times. Even if the place was the worst, I'd be sold!
For the rest of the afternoon we puttered around town and in the evening went to Mama Restaurant for some delicious Cambodian cuisine. some kind of fish.. can't remember what it was called, but it was awesome!
Kris stayed home because he had a high fever, but Daina, Stu and I had a long, great visit talking about all sorts of stuff back home.
Some frenchie told us to "speak more slowly", but he meant quietly and we got offended and left, and that was that!
Tomorrow (as recommended by James) we will be waking at the crack of dawn and going to Olympic Stadium to see what the locals do for morning exercise (apparently it's quite a sight).
Thoughts on Cambodia day 1:
Cambodia totally rocks. Love the energy, love the people, love the tuk tuk's!
ONE THING to note: Cambodia's really expensive! (minus the guesthouse which is the cheapest we've stayed in). The grocery store basically had the same prices we would see back home... it's bizarre!
Another thing: There are a lot of whiteys here! That was a surprise! And it's like, families with little kids... do they live here? Who knows!
There are also a lot of adorable dogs.
Fin.
Yesterday we were driving with the Koreans and found ourselves going the wrong way on a one way street and we were stopped by the police.
um, this is scarry, there's a guy outside screaming that he's going to kill someone. like, really screaming...
anyway... yikes.
So, he ended up paying the police some random amount of money (I think the police just make up some amount and make people pay it) and then he continued the wrong way on the one way street. We're living in bizarr-o world.
Thing number two:
When we were coming back from a trip in Vietnam to HaLong Bay, the 'drivers announcer' turned around and said to us "No laugh smiling!!!" Apparently we were being far too joyous.
so... anyway...
about today..
Daina and Kris were both sick and we all ended up waking up pretty late (and by we all, I mean Stuart, Daina, and Kris...) I had already read a big chunk of my book, gave myself a hair cut, showered, and looked up stuff about the Khmer Rouge online...
Daina, Kris, and Stu were really out of it, but I was rarring to go and happy as a clam at high tide! We ended up going to some pizza place for 'breakfast'. Most of the food here in Cambodia is western... or Korean (yum yum!)
After lunch we hit up the supermarket when it suddenly started raining BUCKETS.
Stu and I waited it out in a bookstore reading hilarious books.
The afternoon was spent finding a cheaper guest house (our first night was spent in a nice hotel) and we successfully found a $5 a night, no air con, very decent place (but it's a COOKER!)
The biggest draw is there are two of the most adorable puppies I've ever seen prancing around the semi-outdoor reception area at all times. Even if the place was the worst, I'd be sold!
For the rest of the afternoon we puttered around town and in the evening went to Mama Restaurant for some delicious Cambodian cuisine. some kind of fish.. can't remember what it was called, but it was awesome!
Kris stayed home because he had a high fever, but Daina, Stu and I had a long, great visit talking about all sorts of stuff back home.
Some frenchie told us to "speak more slowly", but he meant quietly and we got offended and left, and that was that!
Tomorrow (as recommended by James) we will be waking at the crack of dawn and going to Olympic Stadium to see what the locals do for morning exercise (apparently it's quite a sight).
Thoughts on Cambodia day 1:
Cambodia totally rocks. Love the energy, love the people, love the tuk tuk's!
ONE THING to note: Cambodia's really expensive! (minus the guesthouse which is the cheapest we've stayed in). The grocery store basically had the same prices we would see back home... it's bizarre!
Another thing: There are a lot of whiteys here! That was a surprise! And it's like, families with little kids... do they live here? Who knows!
There are also a lot of adorable dogs.
Fin.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Fab, Fab, Sweety Darling!
Our bus to Cambodia was delux.
The man on the bus made everyone pay 25 bucks for their Cambodia Visa's, but we, the seasoned travelers that we are, knew better and saved $10 in total for waiting and doing it (hassle free!) at the Cambodian border.
We met this guy from Korea (south, duh) who's a fifty three year old busines man who just finished doing business in Vietnam and is now in Cambodia on business (Gas is his biz)...
Anyway, his friend (also Korean) who lives in Cambodia picked us all up (we became friends on the bus very quickly) and took us all to this REALLY nice expensive Korean restaurant. It was amazing and we had the best time ever! We had so much food it was INSANE. everytime we finished something he told the waitress to bring more!
And he started talking about the bible and he's just a super nice Christian guy. He said "When you're my age and you have money and means to do something like this for some traveling students, I expect you will do the same." and when we thanked him he said "Don't thank me, thank God!"
It was totally awesome.
His friend drove us to a hotel that's owned by his friend and that's where we're staying now. Paul (the bus Korean) told us to call him tomorrow and he'll take us out to a good restaurant he knows because he says it's lonely to eat by yourself and not fun and if he goes out with his Korean friend, people will think he's gay, or as he would say 'marrrvelous''... hahahaha long story.
I know it may sound fishy, but totally not getting any weird vibes from him and he seems very genuine and nice.
That's pretty much the end of today! We were going to go out to an ATM but it's late and we don't really know where it is, and it's really dark and quiet in the streets and it was creeping me out!
Who knows what we're doin tomorrow, but we're in CAMBODIA!
The man on the bus made everyone pay 25 bucks for their Cambodia Visa's, but we, the seasoned travelers that we are, knew better and saved $10 in total for waiting and doing it (hassle free!) at the Cambodian border.
We met this guy from Korea (south, duh) who's a fifty three year old busines man who just finished doing business in Vietnam and is now in Cambodia on business (Gas is his biz)...
Anyway, his friend (also Korean) who lives in Cambodia picked us all up (we became friends on the bus very quickly) and took us all to this REALLY nice expensive Korean restaurant. It was amazing and we had the best time ever! We had so much food it was INSANE. everytime we finished something he told the waitress to bring more!
And he started talking about the bible and he's just a super nice Christian guy. He said "When you're my age and you have money and means to do something like this for some traveling students, I expect you will do the same." and when we thanked him he said "Don't thank me, thank God!"
It was totally awesome.
His friend drove us to a hotel that's owned by his friend and that's where we're staying now. Paul (the bus Korean) told us to call him tomorrow and he'll take us out to a good restaurant he knows because he says it's lonely to eat by yourself and not fun and if he goes out with his Korean friend, people will think he's gay, or as he would say 'marrrvelous''... hahahaha long story.
I know it may sound fishy, but totally not getting any weird vibes from him and he seems very genuine and nice.
That's pretty much the end of today! We were going to go out to an ATM but it's late and we don't really know where it is, and it's really dark and quiet in the streets and it was creeping me out!
Who knows what we're doin tomorrow, but we're in CAMBODIA!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Bye Vietnam!
Favorite place:
Honestly, everywhere has had its perks
HaLong bay: amazing scenery
Hoi An: Amazing clothes
Hue: Amazing friends and fun
Nha Trang: Amazing beaches
Mui Ne: Vietnamese friends and dunes
HCMC: Learning a lot about the Vietnam war
... note that I didn't say the capital? Maybe that one had no perks (other than it was close to Ha Long Bay!!)
All in all very different from our China experience, and also very AWESOME!
Next: CAMBODIA... we leave today!
Honestly, everywhere has had its perks
HaLong bay: amazing scenery
Hoi An: Amazing clothes
Hue: Amazing friends and fun
Nha Trang: Amazing beaches
Mui Ne: Vietnamese friends and dunes
HCMC: Learning a lot about the Vietnam war
... note that I didn't say the capital? Maybe that one had no perks (other than it was close to Ha Long Bay!!)
All in all very different from our China experience, and also very AWESOME!
Next: CAMBODIA... we leave today!
Bookworm!
Um, I thought I would mention this:
I am LOVING Marian Keyes!
Don't cringe, she's hilarious.
Currently I'm reading: Anybody Out There
Anna (the main character) has hilarious Irish sisters and trendy New York girlfriends and NO it's not as shallow as it sounds! I swear it!
Finished A Thousand Splendid Suns ... um, LOVED IT.
I am LOVING Marian Keyes!
Don't cringe, she's hilarious.
Currently I'm reading: Anybody Out There
Anna (the main character) has hilarious Irish sisters and trendy New York girlfriends and NO it's not as shallow as it sounds! I swear it!
Finished A Thousand Splendid Suns ... um, LOVED IT.
Soda/Pop/Fizzy Drink/Soft Drink
Shoot, I am feeling remorseful!
It has been a few days since I've written a proper blog on the many events that have taken place!
Let me describe to you 'the family':
Little girl I: 10 years old. Name: Unpronounceable. Glasses, frizzy hair. She is 'the best in her class' at English (and, to be fair, though she was bragging, I'm guessing it was true)
Little girl II: 7 years old. Name: Unpronounceable. Looks like the cutest little monkey (and eats fruit like one, too). Thick, black, beautiful hair. Silent. A copy cat who was in love with Stuart.
Little girl III: 2 years old. Described by little girl I as 'short and fat' we thought she was just being mean, but when we saw her: WOW! Plumpest Vietnamese I've ever seen, completely adorable and also mute. (not literally...)
Mother: Pregnant, quiet, adorable.
Uncle Cody (his english name): 10 years old. HILARIOUS. He is going to grow up to be a funny, funny man.
We went to the market with little girl I and II and the glowing pregnant mother.
We played cards, cards, and more cards with girl I girl II and Uncle Cody.
We met fat little girl III and laughed with her and kissed her cheeks.
We played musical chairs to Aqua with I and II.
We listened to I, II and uncle Cody banging on pots and pans to wake us up in the morning, eager to play with us or even just to see us!
Mui Ne = Exhausting but so fun.
Daina, Kris, Stu, and I (when we managed to get out of the hotel), decided we would take a jeep tour to the sand dunes.
Mui Ne is the Sahara of Vietnam.
The jeep looked like it could fall apart at a moments notice... which made the tour all the more awesome.
The white dunes were phenomenal.
We walked around them for about an hour (a little hard to walk, very hot, but awesome).
Trying to 'slide' down the dunes was an utter disaster (and hilarious) and I got some video footage that I'm looking forward to showing friends when we get home.
When we got out at the red dunes, a bunch of kids swarmed the jeep and started playing cards (... there were probably 10 of them crammed in there) and when we were supposed to leave they threw the cards everywhere, and confused, we sat on them on the way home, wondering if our driver knew the kids...
And poof, before we knew it, the dream that was Mui Ne was over and we were heading to HCMC... aka Saigon.
I'm pretty sure this is the motorbike capital of the world.
Unbelievable.
Our hotel is totally awesome. Free breakfast, free bananas, free coffee/tea/juice all day, and free dinner!
Today we went to see war, war, and more war.
We went to the Cu Chi tunnels (which are insane, wow.) If you don't know what they are, look them up. We even went down in them!
Some people shot guns (not me!!!) and then we went to the 'American War Museum'
ps Vietnam calls the Vietnam War the American war. Makes sense, right?
Who hates war?
Who hates knowing the incredible torture inflicted on people during war?
ME
Who was oblivious to everything that happens during war other than bombing, guns, planes, and tanks?
ME
Ew. War is my least favorite thing to hear about.
Now we're talking to an Aussie and a Brit and learning their lingo.
BYE!
PS Tomorrow we leave for CAMBODIA!!!
It has been a few days since I've written a proper blog on the many events that have taken place!
Let me describe to you 'the family':
Little girl I: 10 years old. Name: Unpronounceable. Glasses, frizzy hair. She is 'the best in her class' at English (and, to be fair, though she was bragging, I'm guessing it was true)
Little girl II: 7 years old. Name: Unpronounceable. Looks like the cutest little monkey (and eats fruit like one, too). Thick, black, beautiful hair. Silent. A copy cat who was in love with Stuart.
Little girl III: 2 years old. Described by little girl I as 'short and fat' we thought she was just being mean, but when we saw her: WOW! Plumpest Vietnamese I've ever seen, completely adorable and also mute. (not literally...)
Mother: Pregnant, quiet, adorable.
Uncle Cody (his english name): 10 years old. HILARIOUS. He is going to grow up to be a funny, funny man.
We went to the market with little girl I and II and the glowing pregnant mother.
We played cards, cards, and more cards with girl I girl II and Uncle Cody.
We met fat little girl III and laughed with her and kissed her cheeks.
We played musical chairs to Aqua with I and II.
We listened to I, II and uncle Cody banging on pots and pans to wake us up in the morning, eager to play with us or even just to see us!
Mui Ne = Exhausting but so fun.
Daina, Kris, Stu, and I (when we managed to get out of the hotel), decided we would take a jeep tour to the sand dunes.
Mui Ne is the Sahara of Vietnam.
The jeep looked like it could fall apart at a moments notice... which made the tour all the more awesome.
The white dunes were phenomenal.
We walked around them for about an hour (a little hard to walk, very hot, but awesome).
Trying to 'slide' down the dunes was an utter disaster (and hilarious) and I got some video footage that I'm looking forward to showing friends when we get home.
When we got out at the red dunes, a bunch of kids swarmed the jeep and started playing cards (... there were probably 10 of them crammed in there) and when we were supposed to leave they threw the cards everywhere, and confused, we sat on them on the way home, wondering if our driver knew the kids...
And poof, before we knew it, the dream that was Mui Ne was over and we were heading to HCMC... aka Saigon.
I'm pretty sure this is the motorbike capital of the world.
Unbelievable.
Our hotel is totally awesome. Free breakfast, free bananas, free coffee/tea/juice all day, and free dinner!
Today we went to see war, war, and more war.
We went to the Cu Chi tunnels (which are insane, wow.) If you don't know what they are, look them up. We even went down in them!
Some people shot guns (not me!!!) and then we went to the 'American War Museum'
ps Vietnam calls the Vietnam War the American war. Makes sense, right?
Who hates war?
Who hates knowing the incredible torture inflicted on people during war?
ME
Who was oblivious to everything that happens during war other than bombing, guns, planes, and tanks?
ME
Ew. War is my least favorite thing to hear about.
Now we're talking to an Aussie and a Brit and learning their lingo.
BYE!
PS Tomorrow we leave for CAMBODIA!!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Markets and Mayhem!
Mui Ne beaches are dirty... there is LOTS of garbage...
Stuart and I tried to go boogie boarding but it was too gross in the water and we kept stepping on plastic bags. We saw a dead jellyfish on the shore, that was interesting! I didn't realize they were such gooey blobs! Did you know they can sting you after they're dead?!
.. and no, I don't know that from experience... thankfully...
We went to the market one day, that was interesting. We went with a Vietnamese family from the resort in their land cruiser. (yes, they're quite wealthy)
The market was FULL of people, none of them white, all of them with a ravinous hunger for fish heads and pigs feet.
It was stinky but it was an experience.
We sacrificed our personal space and were slapped with fish at every turn!
The little girl translated to us that all of the women thought that Stuart was very handsome and they were all giggling and watching him. I looked at them, laughed, rapped my arms around him and kissed him. They thought that was hilarious. (Or they were jealous!!)
By the way, Stuart is tanned and looking amazing... the darkness of his skin makes his icy blue eyes pop and sparkle, but this is not a romance novel (unfortnately) so at present, I will go no further about my hunky hunky husband.
We came home and cooked up a storm....
shoot, I didn't realize the time. We're leaving for Saigon in 2 hours and are nowhere near packed. More later!
ps read the last post if you get a chance!
Stuart and I tried to go boogie boarding but it was too gross in the water and we kept stepping on plastic bags. We saw a dead jellyfish on the shore, that was interesting! I didn't realize they were such gooey blobs! Did you know they can sting you after they're dead?!
.. and no, I don't know that from experience... thankfully...
We went to the market one day, that was interesting. We went with a Vietnamese family from the resort in their land cruiser. (yes, they're quite wealthy)
The market was FULL of people, none of them white, all of them with a ravinous hunger for fish heads and pigs feet.
It was stinky but it was an experience.
We sacrificed our personal space and were slapped with fish at every turn!
The little girl translated to us that all of the women thought that Stuart was very handsome and they were all giggling and watching him. I looked at them, laughed, rapped my arms around him and kissed him. They thought that was hilarious. (Or they were jealous!!)
By the way, Stuart is tanned and looking amazing... the darkness of his skin makes his icy blue eyes pop and sparkle, but this is not a romance novel (unfortnately) so at present, I will go no further about my hunky hunky husband.
We came home and cooked up a storm....
shoot, I didn't realize the time. We're leaving for Saigon in 2 hours and are nowhere near packed. More later!
ps read the last post if you get a chance!
Misunderstanding? Miscommunication? Jerks? Liers?
YOU decide...
Before I blog about anything else, a mishap must be addressed that occured last night at 1900 hours.
Kris, Daina, Stu and I had just enjoyed a bug infested, eternal dinner out when we decided to go home and pay for our last two nights. We had already paid for the first and we thought everything was fine when.... disaster struck!
They told us we each owed $50 dollars a night (including the night that we had already paid for). They tried to play dumb, like it was $50 all along...
But when we had gotten there we clearly had decided that Kris and Dainas room would be $14, and ours would be $12... we even paid them for crying out loud.
We argued, we negotiated, we hyperventilated, we swore (ok, well not we, that one was just Kris) and finally, after at least 45 minutes of debate (bare in mind that the debating and the talking were all in languages that neither party could understand in the slightest... thank goodness for pens, paper, and numbers) and finally we ended up paying:
$15 a night... which is $3 bucks more than we were going to initially pay, but nowhere near what they wanted us to pay.
Were they playing dumb on purpose?
Was it an honest misunderstanding?
Were they trying to play us like so many Canadian fiddles?
We were just relieved that it all worked out in the end... for them and kind of for us.
How dare they charge us more and then make it look like a deal?!
(although, to be fair, it was the nicest resort on the strip and the rest of them were going for about $25 a pop)
Before I blog about anything else, a mishap must be addressed that occured last night at 1900 hours.
Kris, Daina, Stu and I had just enjoyed a bug infested, eternal dinner out when we decided to go home and pay for our last two nights. We had already paid for the first and we thought everything was fine when.... disaster struck!
They told us we each owed $50 dollars a night (including the night that we had already paid for). They tried to play dumb, like it was $50 all along...
But when we had gotten there we clearly had decided that Kris and Dainas room would be $14, and ours would be $12... we even paid them for crying out loud.
We argued, we negotiated, we hyperventilated, we swore (ok, well not we, that one was just Kris) and finally, after at least 45 minutes of debate (bare in mind that the debating and the talking were all in languages that neither party could understand in the slightest... thank goodness for pens, paper, and numbers) and finally we ended up paying:
$15 a night... which is $3 bucks more than we were going to initially pay, but nowhere near what they wanted us to pay.
Were they playing dumb on purpose?
Was it an honest misunderstanding?
Were they trying to play us like so many Canadian fiddles?
We were just relieved that it all worked out in the end... for them and kind of for us.
How dare they charge us more and then make it look like a deal?!
(although, to be fair, it was the nicest resort on the strip and the rest of them were going for about $25 a pop)
Show Me the Mui Ne!
Ok, so we're in the most amazing place in the world, sheerly by fluke.
Here's how:
Daina, Stu, and I were trudging around looking for a cheap hostel to stay at here in Mui Ne.
Rewind...
Mui Ne is 20 km of beach.. Mui Ne is also resort after resort after resort... all beach front, all running for about 25 bucks a night (bare in mind, the rooms are not spectacular... but they're beach front so they can get away with that price... which to the rest of you is the cheapest thing you've heard in a long time, but to us is highway robbery!)
Back to the search...
We saw this place that looked huge and awesome and we decided just to go in and ask how much it would cost.
We quickly realized the place was GOERGOUS.. like probably a 6 star resort, BUT it was unfinished and therefore had no guest, reception or anything.
There were some gold tooth men sitting around and playing cards and we asked them how much to stay there, or if we could stay there at all.
They didn't speak a lick of english... neither did the ladies that came out... BUT one little girl did and she was translating for us (she's 10 years old).
We found out that the place was so not up and running but decided to take a look at the rooms that were finished.
They were UNBELIEVABLE. The most amazing rooms ever. HUGE, brand new, big TV, big brand new bathrooms.... we knew it was a no brainer.... and they said TEN bucks a night... beach front, with a balcony. The nicest resort on the beach.
We are literally living in the lap of luxury and in the whole hotel it's just me, stu, kris, and daina!!!
The past few days have been amazing...
more about that later, we're actually just about to head for dinner, but there are some interesting stories to come, so stay tuned!
Here's how:
Daina, Stu, and I were trudging around looking for a cheap hostel to stay at here in Mui Ne.
Rewind...
Mui Ne is 20 km of beach.. Mui Ne is also resort after resort after resort... all beach front, all running for about 25 bucks a night (bare in mind, the rooms are not spectacular... but they're beach front so they can get away with that price... which to the rest of you is the cheapest thing you've heard in a long time, but to us is highway robbery!)
Back to the search...
We saw this place that looked huge and awesome and we decided just to go in and ask how much it would cost.
We quickly realized the place was GOERGOUS.. like probably a 6 star resort, BUT it was unfinished and therefore had no guest, reception or anything.
There were some gold tooth men sitting around and playing cards and we asked them how much to stay there, or if we could stay there at all.
They didn't speak a lick of english... neither did the ladies that came out... BUT one little girl did and she was translating for us (she's 10 years old).
We found out that the place was so not up and running but decided to take a look at the rooms that were finished.
They were UNBELIEVABLE. The most amazing rooms ever. HUGE, brand new, big TV, big brand new bathrooms.... we knew it was a no brainer.... and they said TEN bucks a night... beach front, with a balcony. The nicest resort on the beach.
We are literally living in the lap of luxury and in the whole hotel it's just me, stu, kris, and daina!!!
The past few days have been amazing...
more about that later, we're actually just about to head for dinner, but there are some interesting stories to come, so stay tuned!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
To Oma and Opa and Grandma and Grandpa!
Dear Oma and Opa:
I don't know if you have an e-mail address or not, and I don't know how we'd be able to reach you... but I thought I would write this to say 'Hi!' because my mom told me that you were reading our blog! We love you and we miss you and we're happy that you're reading along about all of our adventures! :)
We'll look for something fun to bring back for you from one of the many country's we visit!
Love:
Vanessa and Stuart
Dear Grandma and Grandpa:
I am not sure how often you read this, but hopefully my mom can tell you that there's a message for you and you can check it!
We miss you!!! Me especially! You're going to Arizona so soon Grandma! You must be so excited to see the kids and maybe watch some of their sports games! (Does soccer go through summer, or just SBS basketball?)
Grandma, I wrote you a letter but have not yet sent it because we never know where a post office is!! It's still here sitting in my journal though and sooner or later in the next month or so you should get one!
We are so looking forward to seeing you again, sharing our stories and hearing yours, and having some awesome grandma buns!
We love you all and miss you!
I don't know if you have an e-mail address or not, and I don't know how we'd be able to reach you... but I thought I would write this to say 'Hi!' because my mom told me that you were reading our blog! We love you and we miss you and we're happy that you're reading along about all of our adventures! :)
We'll look for something fun to bring back for you from one of the many country's we visit!
Love:
Vanessa and Stuart
Dear Grandma and Grandpa:
I am not sure how often you read this, but hopefully my mom can tell you that there's a message for you and you can check it!
We miss you!!! Me especially! You're going to Arizona so soon Grandma! You must be so excited to see the kids and maybe watch some of their sports games! (Does soccer go through summer, or just SBS basketball?)
Grandma, I wrote you a letter but have not yet sent it because we never know where a post office is!! It's still here sitting in my journal though and sooner or later in the next month or so you should get one!
We are so looking forward to seeing you again, sharing our stories and hearing yours, and having some awesome grandma buns!
We love you all and miss you!
Friday, June 18, 2010
They granted me three years of PERFECT HAIR!
I, Vanessa Dueck, have officially had the Japanese Hair Straightening experience.
It was long.
It was HOT.
It was painful.
but it's... OVER!
After 4 1/2 hours of chemicals, straightening, waiting, washing, drying, more straightening, more chemicals, a heater on my head, more waiting, more washing, and more straightening, I am now the owner of perfect hair.
Japanese Hair Straightening is basically like a reverse perm... except for that it somehow changes your hairs composition or something so that it keeps growing perfectly straight. (Stu and I read articles on it before I did it).
It went from 7pm until about 11:30pm.
It was the longest experience of my LIFE.
But it's over ! Horray for silky hair!
Hoi An/Nha Trang
Last time I wrote this we were in Hue...
since then (and a couple long long bus rides later) we have arrived in Nha Trang
Let's backtrack a bit...
Hoi An...
We were in Hoi An for a grand total of one night with our new nearest and dearest: Daina and Kris
Our place was slightly dingy, and we spent quite some time walking in the wrong direction to get to it.
HOWEVER, our time in Hoi An (after day 1) ended up being quite enjoyable!
After a nice dinner out the day we got there, the four of us went exploring to see what kind of night life Hoi An has to offer...
and we discovered quickly that there is none whatsoever... all there is is plenty of cockroaches, sketchy ally's, and dicey men on motorcycles. Good night Hoi An!
Hoi An is famous for a trade that makes my heart go a'flutter: Tailor Made BEAUTIFUL clothes.
They aren't dirt cheap, but boy do they have every fabric imaginable, and man are they amazing!
After a morning of fun with Stuart at a tailor shop, I had decided on six dresses (four fancy, two casual) and Stu had decided on an amazing suit complete with a vest, 2 ties, and a shirt.
We spent the afternoon walking to the beach with Kris and Daina while our clothes were being made.
The walk was lo---ooo---oong but nice to get some exercise in the sunshine. (ps it's like 45 here)
At the beach we ran into our lovely friends from Holland (who are the most insane girls ever... I could tell you stories... but I'll spare the ears of those that don't want to be shocked and dismayed!) and talked to them for a while and swam in the clear blue ocean!
We took a taxi back, showered at our hotel, and then it was time to pick up our new clothes!
In 7 hours they had created masterpieces to perfectly fit in the colours and styles that I had chosen... siiigh. it was amazing.
At the last moment, I decided to throw in the most amazing coat I'd ever seen and that was that, it's getting shipped to Stu's parents house as we speak.
That night we had a somewhat rushed dinner, and headed for Nha Trang on the bus.
The bus was a complete nightmare...
We were going down windy mountain roads... and the tire popped.
I can't even describe... like, it was like the bus was constantly in an earthquake. It was pretty scarry and none of us got very much sleep.
Yesterday was our first day here and we spent it exactly the way I had pictured spending it: lying on the beach.
Amazing!
Six kilometers of white sand beach, can you imagine?!
So beautiful!
But.... I fell asleep in the sun for a couple of hours and burned my entire body to a crisp. It was miserable!
I spent the rest of the night moaning and groaning and went to bed at 9 o'clock!
This morning we woke up to a stuffy room... where had our precious AC gone? Why had the fan stopped spinning 'round!?
It turns out that every other day the power gets shut off in Nha Trang... every other day!!!
Thankfully it was another amazing day and after slathering the whole of my body in SPF 70 and putting on pants we ventured outside and spent pretty much the whole day at the beach in the shade.
I'm reading 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' and it's awesome so far!
Just finished 'The Zahir' which BLEW CHUNKS and I wouldn't recommed it to my worst enemy. (by Paulo Coleho, Author of 'The Alchemist'... which I loved)
The end!
since then (and a couple long long bus rides later) we have arrived in Nha Trang
Let's backtrack a bit...
Hoi An...
We were in Hoi An for a grand total of one night with our new nearest and dearest: Daina and Kris
Our place was slightly dingy, and we spent quite some time walking in the wrong direction to get to it.
HOWEVER, our time in Hoi An (after day 1) ended up being quite enjoyable!
After a nice dinner out the day we got there, the four of us went exploring to see what kind of night life Hoi An has to offer...
and we discovered quickly that there is none whatsoever... all there is is plenty of cockroaches, sketchy ally's, and dicey men on motorcycles. Good night Hoi An!
Hoi An is famous for a trade that makes my heart go a'flutter: Tailor Made BEAUTIFUL clothes.
They aren't dirt cheap, but boy do they have every fabric imaginable, and man are they amazing!
After a morning of fun with Stuart at a tailor shop, I had decided on six dresses (four fancy, two casual) and Stu had decided on an amazing suit complete with a vest, 2 ties, and a shirt.
We spent the afternoon walking to the beach with Kris and Daina while our clothes were being made.
The walk was lo---ooo---oong but nice to get some exercise in the sunshine. (ps it's like 45 here)
At the beach we ran into our lovely friends from Holland (who are the most insane girls ever... I could tell you stories... but I'll spare the ears of those that don't want to be shocked and dismayed!) and talked to them for a while and swam in the clear blue ocean!
We took a taxi back, showered at our hotel, and then it was time to pick up our new clothes!
In 7 hours they had created masterpieces to perfectly fit in the colours and styles that I had chosen... siiigh. it was amazing.
At the last moment, I decided to throw in the most amazing coat I'd ever seen and that was that, it's getting shipped to Stu's parents house as we speak.
That night we had a somewhat rushed dinner, and headed for Nha Trang on the bus.
The bus was a complete nightmare...
We were going down windy mountain roads... and the tire popped.
I can't even describe... like, it was like the bus was constantly in an earthquake. It was pretty scarry and none of us got very much sleep.
Yesterday was our first day here and we spent it exactly the way I had pictured spending it: lying on the beach.
Amazing!
Six kilometers of white sand beach, can you imagine?!
So beautiful!
But.... I fell asleep in the sun for a couple of hours and burned my entire body to a crisp. It was miserable!
I spent the rest of the night moaning and groaning and went to bed at 9 o'clock!
This morning we woke up to a stuffy room... where had our precious AC gone? Why had the fan stopped spinning 'round!?
It turns out that every other day the power gets shut off in Nha Trang... every other day!!!
Thankfully it was another amazing day and after slathering the whole of my body in SPF 70 and putting on pants we ventured outside and spent pretty much the whole day at the beach in the shade.
I'm reading 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' and it's awesome so far!
Just finished 'The Zahir' which BLEW CHUNKS and I wouldn't recommed it to my worst enemy. (by Paulo Coleho, Author of 'The Alchemist'... which I loved)
The end!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Notes
Coffee in Vietnam is my FAVE! Cheap, thick and black, and with the option of ice! and whoever thought of putting condensed milk into coffee is a genius!
Hue (and apparently going south) is significantly cheaper than China and is apparently the most expensive place we'll run into in South East Asia.
Average meal: $2.50
Average meal in China: $4-5
Coffee: $ .50
Coffee in China: $3.00
Attractions (on average): a couple of bucks
Attractions (on average) in China: 10-20 bucks
Beer seems to be something people say is way cheaper here than China, but I hate beer so I wouldn't know.
Room rates are pretty similar to China but you get a lot less in general.
I saw my first cockroach (in my bedroom) and I killed it! (are you impessed?!)
... I then went on to search the room front and back, top and bottom for more cockroaches before shoving a towel under the door to deter them!
The woman at our hostel told us that we could get the second night in our hostel for 2 dollars cheaper (not because of the cockroach, but because we asked for a deal), so we all decided to stay another night.
Today she told me (I had not yet paid her) that sorry, I couldn't get that price anymore. Her boss just told her.
I said, excuse me, but you said 9, so I'm paying 9. She said 'yes, but my boss said that's only if you change rooms'. I said 'you never told us that. That's why we stayed here. So I am going to pay you right now and I'm going to pay you 9!'
and I did.
Horray for non-confrontational Vanessa!
Ok, I think that's all I have to say for now...
except for that Vietnam is so incredibly beautiful I can't even handle myself, and apparently we haven't even got to the most beautiful parts (I can't imagine!). It's like Hawaii, Palm Springs, and every other awesome place you could think of, except totally dirt cheap!
Also: baby boys look like little gangstas here and all have shaved heads and chains around their necks (hilarious and adorable)
Hue (and apparently going south) is significantly cheaper than China and is apparently the most expensive place we'll run into in South East Asia.
Average meal: $2.50
Average meal in China: $4-5
Coffee: $ .50
Coffee in China: $3.00
Attractions (on average): a couple of bucks
Attractions (on average) in China: 10-20 bucks
Beer seems to be something people say is way cheaper here than China, but I hate beer so I wouldn't know.
Room rates are pretty similar to China but you get a lot less in general.
I saw my first cockroach (in my bedroom) and I killed it! (are you impessed?!)
... I then went on to search the room front and back, top and bottom for more cockroaches before shoving a towel under the door to deter them!
The woman at our hostel told us that we could get the second night in our hostel for 2 dollars cheaper (not because of the cockroach, but because we asked for a deal), so we all decided to stay another night.
Today she told me (I had not yet paid her) that sorry, I couldn't get that price anymore. Her boss just told her.
I said, excuse me, but you said 9, so I'm paying 9. She said 'yes, but my boss said that's only if you change rooms'. I said 'you never told us that. That's why we stayed here. So I am going to pay you right now and I'm going to pay you 9!'
and I did.
Horray for non-confrontational Vanessa!
Ok, I think that's all I have to say for now...
except for that Vietnam is so incredibly beautiful I can't even handle myself, and apparently we haven't even got to the most beautiful parts (I can't imagine!). It's like Hawaii, Palm Springs, and every other awesome place you could think of, except totally dirt cheap!
Also: baby boys look like little gangstas here and all have shaved heads and chains around their necks (hilarious and adorable)
4 dollar day cruises are for idiots
Hue is going swimmingly.
Our first day here we sorted out bus tickets and went to the Citadel. It was hot hot hot!
Before Citadel we went to a restaurant that bosts outside on a sign that the Lonely Planet called it "awesome". We figured even if it wasn't true that saying the Lonely Planet reccomended it as a marketing tool was a pretty good strategy.
I had some kind of rice paper covered veggies and meat with peanut sauce. It was really good!
The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging around in our air conditioned room. We went for a late dinner of Indian food. Best meal we've had in Vietnam so far! (The food here is nothing special. The portions are small and it seems like it's trying to be Chinese food, but is way off the mark!)
We had a great time there with Dana and Kris. We were passing a bar on our way down to Vietnams 1000 year birthday festival (boy did we get here at the right time!) and we ran into who else but the karaoke loving british girls from HaLong Bay! We visited with them for a few minutes, but we were going to be late for the festivities!
Down by the perfume river was PACKED with locals. We didn't know what we were waiting for and then suddenly fireworks started! It was a lot of fun because everyone was screaming like it was the first time they'd ever seen fireworks and that made it awesome!
Kris was getting grumpy (because of the heat? because of the crowds?) and he left to go to the washroom.
While he was gone, Vietnamese people were practically LINING UP to get their picture taken with us!! It was absolutely hilarious. Men, women, whole families, little boys, little girls, we had every portrait combo imaginable and they were clapping and cheering. We were celebraties!
Stu got a couple of pictures of all the fun which I would post on here but it keeps not working...
We were really tired after and were thinking of going out, but after our 12 hr bus ride and a full day, decided to just call 'er a night.
Yesterday was a joke and a half.
We went on this $4 boat cruise of the Song Huong River... this $4 boat cruise included lunch, an enligh guide, and EIGHT hours of 'fun'... (and by we, I mean stu, dana, kris, and I)
The fun wore off as soon as we got on the boat in the sweltering heat with about 60 other people, sitting in rows on plastic chairs... and they claimed the electricity was off... so no fans either... and nooo wind.
We talked to the tour guide for a while which was interesting and learned a lot about Vietnam's history. (wow, did I know nothing, or what?!)
At about 2:30 in the afternoon, there was the option of calling the cruise quits and get in an air conditioned mini bus back to town. We were all over that.
We went to a bit of a loser restaurant and then partied with the British girls until Stu and I were exhausted, came home, and watched some HBO before dozing off into oblivion.
Our first day here we sorted out bus tickets and went to the Citadel. It was hot hot hot!
Before Citadel we went to a restaurant that bosts outside on a sign that the Lonely Planet called it "awesome". We figured even if it wasn't true that saying the Lonely Planet reccomended it as a marketing tool was a pretty good strategy.
I had some kind of rice paper covered veggies and meat with peanut sauce. It was really good!
The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging around in our air conditioned room. We went for a late dinner of Indian food. Best meal we've had in Vietnam so far! (The food here is nothing special. The portions are small and it seems like it's trying to be Chinese food, but is way off the mark!)
We had a great time there with Dana and Kris. We were passing a bar on our way down to Vietnams 1000 year birthday festival (boy did we get here at the right time!) and we ran into who else but the karaoke loving british girls from HaLong Bay! We visited with them for a few minutes, but we were going to be late for the festivities!
Down by the perfume river was PACKED with locals. We didn't know what we were waiting for and then suddenly fireworks started! It was a lot of fun because everyone was screaming like it was the first time they'd ever seen fireworks and that made it awesome!
Kris was getting grumpy (because of the heat? because of the crowds?) and he left to go to the washroom.
While he was gone, Vietnamese people were practically LINING UP to get their picture taken with us!! It was absolutely hilarious. Men, women, whole families, little boys, little girls, we had every portrait combo imaginable and they were clapping and cheering. We were celebraties!
Stu got a couple of pictures of all the fun which I would post on here but it keeps not working...
We were really tired after and were thinking of going out, but after our 12 hr bus ride and a full day, decided to just call 'er a night.
Yesterday was a joke and a half.
We went on this $4 boat cruise of the Song Huong River... this $4 boat cruise included lunch, an enligh guide, and EIGHT hours of 'fun'... (and by we, I mean stu, dana, kris, and I)
The fun wore off as soon as we got on the boat in the sweltering heat with about 60 other people, sitting in rows on plastic chairs... and they claimed the electricity was off... so no fans either... and nooo wind.
We talked to the tour guide for a while which was interesting and learned a lot about Vietnam's history. (wow, did I know nothing, or what?!)
At about 2:30 in the afternoon, there was the option of calling the cruise quits and get in an air conditioned mini bus back to town. We were all over that.
We went to a bit of a loser restaurant and then partied with the British girls until Stu and I were exhausted, came home, and watched some HBO before dozing off into oblivion.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Are Hue Kidding Me?!
It's so weird to be able to update straight to the blog!
Big round of applause for Auntie Jane for doing it for us for over a month!
If any of my girlfriends are reading this and saw Sex and the City 2, I saw it, too! In the capital of Vietnam, and if you liked it, I may have to shoot you!
It was the worst script ever committed to film. Nobody loves Carrie Bradshaw more than me, NOBODY! But I'm sorry, argue with me if you want, but the movie was abominable!
I am woman, hear me roar?! SERIOUSLY!?
Liza singing Single Ladies in a shirt and nylons?! I'm sorry, but eww.
But it was fun because Dana and one of the british girls thought it was just as bad as I did. Stu made the smart choice and saw Prince of Persia.
The other three British girls liked SATC2, so maybe it's possible to like it.
Our bus ride last night was HU-FREAKING-LARIOUS. Me, Dana, and Stu and the absolute worst spots on the bus in a crawl space with almost no ac and no light whatsoever. Everyone else had personal beds and we had like 5 beds squished together with no leg room. It was so freaking horrible that it was hilarious and we laughed about it all night.
But alas, we're here in Hue. Dana and Kris' room smells like fish, and our room is pretty decent. There's some festival going on here today because it's Vietnams 1000th birthday or something so we'll probably check that out if we can.
It's super hot and I'm turning black! Also, thinking of chopping my hair... but we'll see (it's just too hot for a mane!)
Big round of applause for Auntie Jane for doing it for us for over a month!
If any of my girlfriends are reading this and saw Sex and the City 2, I saw it, too! In the capital of Vietnam, and if you liked it, I may have to shoot you!
It was the worst script ever committed to film. Nobody loves Carrie Bradshaw more than me, NOBODY! But I'm sorry, argue with me if you want, but the movie was abominable!
I am woman, hear me roar?! SERIOUSLY!?
Liza singing Single Ladies in a shirt and nylons?! I'm sorry, but eww.
But it was fun because Dana and one of the british girls thought it was just as bad as I did. Stu made the smart choice and saw Prince of Persia.
The other three British girls liked SATC2, so maybe it's possible to like it.
Our bus ride last night was HU-FREAKING-LARIOUS. Me, Dana, and Stu and the absolute worst spots on the bus in a crawl space with almost no ac and no light whatsoever. Everyone else had personal beds and we had like 5 beds squished together with no leg room. It was so freaking horrible that it was hilarious and we laughed about it all night.
But alas, we're here in Hue. Dana and Kris' room smells like fish, and our room is pretty decent. There's some festival going on here today because it's Vietnams 1000th birthday or something so we'll probably check that out if we can.
It's super hot and I'm turning black! Also, thinking of chopping my hair... but we'll see (it's just too hot for a mane!)
GOOOD MORNING VIETNAM!
Vietnam is SO hot in the summer. VERY humid and about 45 degrees a day (actually, that may just be in the north, but we're in the north right now)
We've been here for... 5 days or something and boy does time fly when you're havin fun!
The travel to get here was hot, sweaty, and all together miserable and the Vietnam/China border took nearly an eternity (with no AC)...
Let's focus on the good, grand and amazing!
We took a 3 day trip to Ha Long Bay (which was on the list for one of the 7 wonders, but somehow didn't make it). And let me tell you, it was BEAUTIFUL!
We spent the first day and night on a pirate ship (well, it looked like a pirate ship!) with some new and AMAZING friends!!
The day was awesome and included exploring caves, kayaking, swimming in the salty salty sea, and jumping from heights into water I NEVER would've thought I would do! (and besides the wedgie it was tres fantastique!)
Let's skip over the night on the boat sleeping because that was the shortest/worse sleep of the trip thus far.
Day 2 was more fun on the boat, and arriving at Cat Ba island for some trekking in 1000000 degree heat (I have seriously never sweat that much in my whole life.. I thought I would die... thank goodness for the 3 litres of water Stu and I brought). We climbed a watch tower that was 75 steps of rusting something and it was swaying back and forth as we climbed. It said maximum 5 people and there were about 15 of us up there... yikes! The view was amazing though and somehow, after all our crazy adventures, I wasn't even scared!
The afternoon held a trip to Monkey Island that had a beach comparable to those in Maui and BIG BIG wild monkeys in the forest of the island! It was hilarious... a kid got grabbed by one of the big monkeys (it was quite scarry actually!) and I was scared to walk by the big monkey... but it was VERY cute!!! We took a video of the monkey watching people walk by. We swam, etc, got back on our boat and back to Cat ba island.
In the evening we partied with our friends and the next day headed back here.
We're in the same hostel now as a couple of law students from Toronto that we hung out with on our trip to HaLong and tonight we're heading with them on a night bus to the Central Coast (Hue, pronounced 'Hue-ay') which is supposed to be historical and beautiful!
Ok! Time for breakfast! Love you all!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Goodbye Dear Darling China:
Oh, China, new friend, what can I say?
my heart full of thanksgiving
for showing me your crazy ways
and your peculiar way of living
China, you are pushy
and you spit along the street
you lead me to your restaurants
and your gung bao can't be beat!
You rip down buildings in half the time
than I see construction workers do
and it's sometimes ladies doing the work
and no less, in fancy shoes!
China, you are the cutest children
with such serious little faces
and you're impolite bike riders
that put on no airs or graces!
You expand, expand, expand
tall towers shoot out of the ground
yet you have no decent sewage system
and garbage lies all 'round
Thank you for your willingness
to help when we were lost
and if we had a dime each time you steared us wrong
you could not begin to count the cost
Thank you for your fashion
and for shirts 'english' shirts that made us laugh
thanks for the one animal you treated decently at Beijing zoo:
the tall spotted giraffee
China, there is so much more
that I could go on for hours
but you have been humid and for that
Stu and I need to go take showers!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Hello, Beer Fish! (Worlds Most Perfect Day)
Pretty sure yesterday was the perfect day.
Woke up late.
Walked outside.
Perfect, glorious sunshine and blue skies.
Had a very leisurly breakfast that lasted over an hour.
Came back and rented mountain bikes while a guide on a motorbike (who we didn't ask for or pay for, but it was awesome!) took us through a senic path to our perfect destination:
The Yulong river.
From here we took a bamboo raft (with wooden lounging chairs and an umbrella on it) down the river with a driver who stood on the back using a bamboo stick for a paddle. This lasted hours. The weather was perfect, the scenery was beautiful, and the water was nice and cold for our feet.
(I will not mention the people on rafts trying to sell barbeque fish and saying 'hello, beer' every 10 minutes because I want to give you the impression the day was nothing but picturesque!!)
When we got off the river (oh, so reluctantly I might add!) a nice man had taken our mountain bikes there for us and we rode off to our next destination:
The Water Cave!
After we traded in a piece of paper from the hostel for our tickets we got in a rickity old van with some new friends (everyone traveling becomes everyone elses friend immediately) and headed to a spot where they try to sell you bathing suits. A couple of people bought them, but we were prepared and were wearing them already!
Then we got into a bus that took probably 5 minutes to start (yike!) and bumpily rode along for a few minutes.
We got in little tiny boats, ducked our heads way down low, and floated into the worlds coolest cave. We got out and spent hours exploring. It was amazing! (but very slippery!)
At the end we climbed up to these natural hotsprings that were SO SO hot!! It was so fun and we spent quite a bit of time there bathing in the boiling water.
We tried to make ourselves go into the mudbath but it was FREEZING, and therefore gross. So we got up to our knees and called er quits.
We biked back along the Yulong the long way to get home and it was just getting dark when we did.
We showered and spent the night out at a great restaurant we found, where we tried the famous local dish: beer fish!
We had waited quite a while when the waitress came to us and said 'They're just catching your fish, sorry it's taking so long!' wow! so fresh! We didn't mind waiting after that!
It was HUGE and amazing and we couldn't finish it all!
We got some mango ice after that and strolled around, and before we knew it, it was very late and we were very tired.
And there you have the perfect day!
Friday, June 4, 2010
This One's for Mitchell/I don't feel like writing much because intenet costs money:
The past 2 days in brief (partially because of the reason above, partially because Mitchell thinks I write too much!)
Yangshuo:
Arrived at night.
Went to eat.
Girl stood RIGHT beside me as I was beginning to look at the menu.
I asked her if she could go and come back in five minutes.
She didn't understand.
Tried to flip my menu as I started looking at a page.
I was a little short with her and Stu thought I was rude.
I thought she was rude.
Eat eat eat
Food, good.
Market, market, mosquito bites.
Coming home, banana lady.
Wants 5 yuan for TWO little bananas.
I said 'five yuan!?'
I walk away.
she says 'Hey hey, how much how much?!'
I say 'no' and we keep walking
'4 YUAN!' she yelled.
'no' we say
she RUNS after us with the bananas in hand (this is not a petite lady, and a very hilarious scene)
She was, however, defeated.
She followed us for 20 meters yelling 'DO YOU WANT? 2 YUAN!'
ooooo it was funny.
Walkie walkie walkie, sleepie sleepie (to quote mama naxi)
Yangshuo day 2:
Yelling outside our room.
Delerious, cross Vanessa.
Sleeping, oblivious Stuart.
Reading Vanessa
Sleeping Stuart
Showering Vanessa
Sleeping Stuart
Downstairs e-mailing Vanessa
Sleeping Stuart
Checking the time Vanessa...
11:45!?!?!?!?!!?
Running upstairs Vanessa
Sleeping Stuart
Yelling about wasting the day Vanessa
Awake Stuart
We went to McDonalds in the morning.. well, afternoon, I guess.
Lately we eat grocery store bread, peanut butter and banana for breakfast.
As the Chinese would say 'Is very cheaper price!'
Stuart 'felt bad' for sitting in McDonalds without ordering
(secretly I think he just wanted an excuse for the milkshake he ordered!)
Walking walking walking in the HOT sun and mosquitoey town
Came back, relaxed
booked our fun for the evening
had an early dinner/late lunch of mango chicken, kung pao chicken, fried rice, and cucumber salad
impressed with mango chicken
will go back tomorrow
caught bus
went to light show by the man who did the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies
mosquitos
mosquitos
mosquitos
were impressed
(not by mosquitos)
saw a fully grown boy dabbing sweat with a kleenex off of his mom's neck
laughed
laughed
laughed
got dropped off and had mango ice
yum
yum
yum
mosquitos
mosquitos
mosquitos
fin.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Hello Tea! (Guilin: Day 1)
Ni Hao!
We started last night and most of today with a 20 hour train ride so we'll just skip right over the depressing, agonizing details of that.
Oh, such fun we've had since we FINALLY arrived at Wada Hostel in Guilin!
The night started with a trip downtown, admiring baked goods down 'walking street' and dreaming of what we'll get from there tomorrow morning!
We went to a restaurant for dinner that was reccomended in the 'Rough Guide to China' that we have, claiming that you can eat well for 25 yuan...
though the claim was very wrong, the food was pretty good and we had a nice time struggling with our chopsticks (okay, that was just me...) but I'm finally getting good!
Did you know???
In China, if you go to a restaurant the waitress will stand dangerously close to you at your table and wait for you to choose. Sometimes they will wait FOREVER (because Stuart and I are very indecisive when it comes to food) while you look at their menu with literally 50 options.
It's quite obnoxious and very stressful.
Now you know!!!
After that we killed a little time by getting some amazing coconut mango bubble tea and an iced latte and then...
Hit the Night Market!
Before we knew it, our tiredness and agitation had vanished from the train ride!
The market was awesome, hilarious, and so much fun!
We passed 2 stalls selling food and both of the people, as we walked by, held up a container and said to us "Hello, tea?" So, once we reached the next one, almost in unison with the stall person, I said "Hello Tea!" It was embarrassing and hilarious.
We saw these army guys that you throw against the wall and they stick and tumble down (the type of thing you see at the dentist office for brave little kids who had fillings) and we thought Charlie and Micheal would love them. I said to Stuart "If she says 10 yuan, I'm seriously gonna bust a cap!" (I was sick of people thinking they could rip us off, and the thing was worth MAYBE 2) so I asked her how much, and she wrote on a paper... you guessed it, 10 yuan! I said "No, no, no" and she said, "how much?" and handed me the pen. With great defiance I wrote: "0" and walked away with my hands in the air yelling TEN!?!. Stuart said that the girl beside her was having a laughing fit, but I'm guessing she wasn't pleased... haha
We saw a stall selling sugar cane juice and here's how they did it: they crammed a big sugar cane (imagine a large bamboo stick) into a juicer.. and that's it. Stu and I decided that for 3 yuan, it was worth a try.
Turns out it wasn't worth a try and was probably the grosest thing we've tried in China yet!!!
I bought a bracelet from a guy just because of how funny he was selling it to me (and, truth be told, I quite like it!)
We stopped in at a book store to see if they were selling English books and... there it was... the greatest thing I've ever seen...
Aisles and Aisles of dirt cheap and oh-so-cute writing books (with different colours and pictures on every page!) What's a girl who loves to write to do!?!
I'll tell you what she does... spends half an hour drooling over all of them, piling them in her arms, and carefully chosing the perfect one while her husband waits patiently.
Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh, what a beautiful store.
Back at the market we ended up getting this really nice ... well, it's hard to describe it, you'll just have to see it at our place when we get home, I think.
It's this glass thing that they put your picture in (it's way better than I'm describing...) it looks like crystal or something... anyway, we got our wedding picture in one for about 5 bucks after much bartering at 2 different stalls (and it looks fancy, not tacky!)
Suddenly it was nearing midnight and we were quite hungry so we took a pit stop (for the first time, I can proudly say) to KFC for some popcorn chicken, and boy was it good!
(KFC in China is like Starbucks in the statesl, there's practically one on every corner)
Now, back at the hostel, we're ready to say "Good night!" and send everyone our love!
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