We are in Hue - more towards Central Vietnam - today. We arrived this morninig - after a train ride that deserves an entire entry itself! Let's just say it was interesting - and the accomodations were basic (well, they were less than basic, but I'm trying not to be a typical American). But luckily, we survived and were rewarded with an amazing resort - this place is paradise (and well deserved after the train, trust me). There's a spa that takes up several buildings, flowers and fresh fruit in our room, and a pool that looks like something out of a movie! So really, the train ride was worth it after all!
We're here until Saturday and then it's off to Hoi An (I think I spelled that right). We've had two busy days and I'm exhausted (it's 10:00 p.m. local time), so I'm going to crash for now and blog about the highlights later in the weekend. But I wanted to let everyone know that we arrived in Hue safe and sound - and things are still terrific!
More to come...
Well, yesterday we had an absolutely wonderful time in Ha-long Bay. The best word to describe it would be serene. The drive took about 4 hours - on the way up, we stopped at a collective that was a crafts workshop to support victims of Agent Orange. The victims worked and created the crafts - lacquer, embroidery, silk, clothes, jewelry, jade marble, and some other things - and then all proceeds go to their support. I forgot the name but will post their website soon. We got to walk around and learn about the crafts and then headed up to the Bay. We took a boat out and got to see a floating village! Then, we docked and got to swim - the water was magnificent! I swam all the way to the rocks and couldn't remember the last time I enjoyed the water that much. We were all diving from the second deck of the boat and everything - quite the adventure. I cut my foot on some rocks, but nothing serious - and really, not so bad for the first injury of the trip!
We ate lunch on the water - seafood, rice, vegetables, more seafood, pineapple - the food here is amazing. Then, on the way back, we stopped at the collective again, where we were able to shop. I bought a beautiful lacquer painting for my living room - I sent it directly home, so I don't have a picture, but I'll post one when I'm back. I also bought a lot of great gifts, but since most of you reading this will be getting one, I don't want to ruin the surprise!
We got back to the hotel right before a storm hit, so it was dinner upstairs in the restaurant - I got some great spring rolls - and then a few of us headed off into the town for a bit of coffee. There is a Gloria Jean's here, so I needed an American fix. One decaf soy mocha latte later, and most of us were half asleep. I definitely slept well last night!
And today we're off to see the sights of Han Noi on cyclo - including the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Tonight, we will take an overnight train right - although I forgot where (either Hue or Huan - I'll let you know when we get there). So far, it's been wonderful - and SF's mom is right - the traffic is crazy! Crossing the street takes nerves of steel, but no one ever tries to hit you. It's like a complicated water ballet!
I'm off - more updates to follow!
Well, I've made it to Viet Nam safely - and so far everything is wonderful! I only have 10 minutes to write before I head out to breakfast and then it's off to Halong Bay for the day. We'll be swimming and hanging out on a boat - it should be a great time! So here are some highlights:
The Flights:
The flights were really great - Korean Air was wonderful, they had a gluten free menu for me (with some pretty tasty airline food, all things considered). I watched four movies on the first flight, read, and napped a little. We made it into Seoul without any problems. The Seoul Airport was a nice layover - we found a quiet place to read and there was even a Gloria Jean's coffee kiosk - that had soy milk! Then we took a shorter flight (4.5 hours) to Han Noi, where customs was easy, our bags made it, and the tour company driver was waiting to take us to the hotel! We arrived at the hotel at about 12:30 local time with no problems!
The Hotel:
We are at the Anise Hotel here in Han Noi. It's a nice little hotel - all the full amenities that you would expect and it doesn't feel any different than any other hotel I've stayed in, except that you can't drink the water. The rooms are spartan, but with everything you need, and the showers are hot. Our AC broke on Saturday and within an hour, they had us all set up in another room (AC is a necessity here, if only for the humidity). The breakfast here is also really good - there are a mix of Vietnamese and Western options. I've been having pho (which is pronounced 'fur') as much as possible - it's the local rice noodle soup dish and very yummy! We've also been introduced to some new fruits - lychee, dragonfruit, mangostine, and something else that looks like a red kiwi fruit with little seeds inside (I forgot it's name). The food has been completely wonderful!
The Tour:
There are seven of us on the tour: me and SF, a retired couple from California who have traveled the world, a "uni" student from London who is touring Southeast Asia before starting a study abroad program in Singapore, a Londoner on a six month holiday, and an Aussie who just finished up University and is celebrating before going back and starting the police academy. Our guide is an Aussie - he's done this particular tour twice before and he's been doing tours in Southeast Asia for over a year. He's going to be with us for the whole trip and we meet up with local guides as we go along. Kim, our Han Noi guide, is great. He has two little boys and has been wonderful in telling us about his country and his city. He is so incredibly knowledgable and has been able to answer all of our silly questions!
What we've done:
This is quick, because it's time for breakfast - but more will come later:
Massages and pedicures at the spa
Lunch with an expat friend of a friend
Dinner at some great local restaurants
Drinks at the local Vietnamese/Aussie guy's bar - it's the UN with beer!
The Ethnology Musuem - learning about Viet Nam's ethnic groups around the country
Home stay in a remote ethnic Thai village - complete with dancing, local spirits, and a very large cricket who terrorized me from the top of my mosquito netting!
Broke down on the side of the road on the way to the homestay - but we got to watch rice harvesting and meet some of the locals while we waited for the new bus. Overall, a very pleasant experience!
Free time yesterday - SF went back for another massage and I found a coffee shop. The lattes and mocha aren't half bad, but soy milk is hard to come by.
Water puppet show last night - I'll explain more later!
And now, it's off to Halong Bay - I'm taking lots of pictures and I'll update more when I have more time! Tomorrow we are touring the city on cyclo and then we are taking an overnight train ride to Hue. It's been a wonderful time - I'll try to upload pictures soon! I miss everyone!!
41.4 pounds - I guess my running shoes are kind of heavy.
I leave for the airport to fly to DC (okay, Baltimore) in 25 minutes. I think I'm getting a little bit nervous...
Well, this is it. Today I leave to meet up with SF in DC and tomorrow morning, we head off to the airport for our trip around the world. Everyone has been asking me if I'm excited or nervous. The truth is, I'm not exactly sure. I'm mostly interested in what's going to happen. I can't even begin to contemplate what kind of experiences I will have over the next month, although I am pretty sure that most of them will be positive. I suppose there are some things I'm nervous about, like finding things to do to amuse myself for 19 hours on a plane (not counting the 4 hour layover in South Korea). Or whether I'll like the food - eyeballs are not top on my list of things to sample. But overall, I'm pretty sure that my interactions with the people of Vietnam and Cambodia will be good, as I've never heard anyone who has vacationed in this part of the world say anything negative about them. I'm also pretty sure that I won't get left anywhere inadvertently, I won't get arrested, and no one is going to want to kidnap me (it's my mother's greatest fear, but I really don't believe anyone wants a mouthy American to deal with). So what's left to worry about? After all, I've had all my shots! So I guess I'd put myself more in the excited category. I'm just not sure exactly what it is that I'm excited about - the adventure itself is enough right now.
So wish me luck! I'll update this blog as often as possible - and hopefully with good stories and amusing antedotes, so you can feel like you're there (or be grateful that you're not, all things considered)!
Well, I can't believe it - my vacation is finally here. It's a real, honest to goodness, leave the country and travel kind of vacation. On Thursday, SF and I leave for Asia - Vietnam, Cambodia, and South Korea to be exact. I'm still kind of in shock. I think I am almost ready, although I have a feeling that I'm forgetting something. In fact, I know I'm forgetting something - that's just the kind of traveler that I am.
But, I am proud to report that I am at least becoming a better traveler. Or all of that forgetting is coming in handy, as my checked luggage weighs a whopping 39 pounds (okay, maybe 39.5 after I put my running shoes in). This is a huge improvement over the last time I tried to leave the country for a prolonged period of time. If memory serves, I had two checked bags that time around - and they were both over the weight limit. So needless to say, I did a little happy dance when I realized that I packed correctly this time around.
And I did bring the important things - camera, travel journal, ipod, and my personal favorite - my brand new Kindle! It's like an ipod for books - and the battery will last up to two weeks without needing recharging. I am so excited - so far I have 15 books downloaded for the trip and I'm taking recommendations for some more.
I also packed the essentials - bug spray (I had to spray all of my clothes with permithrin, just in case), sunscreen, and malaria pills - what more could I need? Oh yes - a really cute pair of shoes. Merrell Mary Jane clogs in black. They are very comfy and stylish. Of course, I brought sneakers and all the other appropriate footwear, but I couldn't help myself with these. Plus, there was plenty of room for them!
Now it's really just a matter of waiting until it's time to leave. I'll be flying out of DC on Thursday - and 19 hours later, landing at Ho Chi Minh Airport in Hanoi. It's still kind of surreal. If you are interested in what I'll get to see, check out our tour company, Travel Indochina. I love how our trip is considered "moderate to adventurous." It makes me feel like a real traveler, not one who packed four toothbruses, her own blanket, sheet, and pillow, and five pairs of shoes. Really, I'm adventurous and spontaneous.
Check back for more bog updates - and if technology permits while I'm overseas, I'll be posting pictures as well. Wish me luck!
Which small businesses are hurt most by rising gas prices? What can they do to save money?
Sponsored by HP.
I have absolutely no idea how to answer this question. I only just clicked on the Question of the Week to start blogging again. Heck, I don't even own a car. I guess that if businesses want to save money, they should all join Philly Car Share. It worked for me - it's cheaper and better for the environment. Of course, now this blog is a PSA - sorry about that!
But seriously - bad question and bad answer, I know. But come back - because I leave for Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia) on Thursday, so travel blogging is about to commence!
