Welcome to the Jungle

Viet Nam is proveing a most excellent destination. After the relative dispointment of Halong Bay and Hanoi, I have found the journey south most agreeable.

HUE: paid extra and got my self a sleeper train to Hue. its a 14 hour bus trip which here in Nam is a bit of a nightmare. Slept well on the train which was full of locals going home for tet, the lunar new year. They all had there new years trees, like our chritsmas trees, but with little oranges on. Arrieved refressed but alone in Hue. Spent the afternoon sight seeing and then had a great night out in the DMZ bar,as recomended by the LP ( thats shorthand for lonely planet that you non travelers would notunderstand, Daniel.) The weather is better here, lots of sun and the temps in the mid 20s.

HOI AN: got on the bus to Hoi an and bumped into Francois ramdomly. He had made some more friends; Neil from England and Aurore from France. 3 hours bus ride and we were in Hoi An. It is beautiful town as it was one of the few places to get hit during the war. The next day we were joined by Matt, John and Sam who had been on the halong boat trip. Went to the beach (4km) on some hired bikes, that was great fun.

Nice to get some beach time in an work on the tan. The town was pretty quite as most places shut for new year, but we still managed a big nightout, Highlighted but some inventive bi-lingule drinking games. Went to the My Son temples which were a sort of mini Ankor Wat apperently.

 Found a resturant that did Coco Pops, not Kellogs, but a treat none the less. appropriatley the places was called TREATS.

NA TRANG: The french left us a day early for Na trang, after Francois had shaved off hos impressive travelers beard. It was a 12 hour over night bus trip for the remaining 5 of us, which is a real struggle. Unlike the spacious luxury coaches in Thailand, the Vietnam Coaches are designed around the Vietnameese Body size,  no more than 5′6′’ and 8 stone. still we got here safe and found and excellent little hotel. Matt and John booked a 4 day Dive course. spent the day on the beach. Its very very hot! This town is like being on the Mediterenean, very touristy, but the diving is excellent. Neil went diving yesterday and said the visability was ace. Tomorrow Sam and I are going out on the diving boat with Matt and John to do a bit of snorkleing. Neil has moved on to Mui Ne to try some Kite surfing. Im heading there day after tomorrow.

Enjoy Nam so much and running out of time fast that I am unable to get back to Thailand and do the South. This is a shame, but Id rather do Nam and Cambodia properly. I can always go back to Thailans beaches during my excessive summer holidays.

Back from a boat trip around the spectacular Halong Bay.

It was all very nice but the weather let us down. Technically it is winter so can’t complain. I did go in the water, we were warned that it was very cold! But the boat had to be jumped off so another chap and I went for it, straight off the top deck. The water was actually very warm. Francois got some good action photos, which i hope to get emailed to me.

Did a bit of kayaking in naff kayaks that required 4 right strokes to evry left to go straight. Again, the weather let us down. Most tourist were wearing hats, coats and trousers all the time, but the Englisih Lads on the remained in shorts and flipflops always hopefull of some sun. The most disapointing thing about the trip was the misserable Vietnamees tour guides - far from the crazy, funny and freindly Thai guides ive had. Still, Hanoi proves to be far more challenging than BKK with its crazy traffic, lack of Mcdonalds, Subway or a 7eleven on each street. Tonight I catch the train to Hue. A few more stops down the coast and I should be in Saigon by the weekend. Unless The New Year celebrations (some time this week) slow me down. Just Spent 7pounds on a meal as i was so sick of seafood. Dinned at Al Fressco’s, a famous resturant in Nam. Im off to by a book for the train and some snacks, preferably Ritz crackers with cheese in between - those badboys have saved me on more than one occation this tour. Keep it foolish…

Managed to pack my last day in Kachanaburi with plenty of sight seeing. Visited the spectacular 7 tired Erwan waterfalls, had a ride on a train on the Death railway and then walked over the Bridge over the River Kwai.

I was back in BKK the next day to pick up my visa and tickets. Up at 6 this morning to catch my flight to Hanoi. Safe and sound at my hostle now. Sharing a dorm for the first time to keep costs down. Francsoir, the Frenchman in my dorm, is probably the best prepared traveller I have ever met, he has got every piece of traveling technology and seems to know what hes doing. His English is very good so Ive gained alot of advice. I seem to have  let the last 3 weeks slip away a bit and realise I have little over 4 weeks left in SEA so must start to plan a bit better. Sat next to 2 aussies on the plane who had been in Thailand for some time. One word: Herbs

Why do you have to pay more for weaker beer? Im trying my best to not drink European beers, but Chang and Singha at 6.4 & 6.0 % respectivly are getting too much. As a result of the strong beer I am suffering today and will achive little. Im going to book a day trip to the Bridge over the river Kwai and some waterfalls for tomorrow.

Managed to organise myself yesterday. Booked a plane ticket and visa for Vietnam leaving on Friday. Today I have got myself out of Bangkok and into Kanchanaburi, famous, like MRC, for its bridge. Its so nice to be out in the counrty again. Country or City? No competition.

Just realised that the post I did about treking in the mountains did not work. Needless to say, it was awsome. Unfortunatley I forgot my camera and missed some excellent photo oppertunities. I will hopefully get a good collection of pics from other trekkers. I appologies for the poor spelling. The key boards have Thai letters on them as well and it can be a liitle confusing. I bought a jar of marmite yesterday, Its only small, but cost the same as my room. I had to buy it as I caught the smell of some vegimite an Aussie brought on the trek. I watched Rocky Balboa in a pub last night and then Ireland/Wales then I had a subway. Its time for lunch. I think I shall have a club sandwhich, pull out the tomatoes and onions, try and eat the tomatoes. Have a nice week…

Edit: Some Photos from the trek in the mountains!

I have returned to BKK in order to sort out the next stage of my trip. I intend to get a visa and plane ticket to Vietnam, travel down through the country. through cambodia and back to Thailand. I dont especially like it here as its very smelly and the rooms are far more expensive than Chiang Mai, its still super duper though. I have had to say good bye to some good australian buddies so am now on my own again. The bus trip down here was highlighted by a broken seat that would not recline. I amaneged to fix it by climbing underneath. I was then asked to fix the seats of 3 very greatful passengers - probably my finest hour! Missed the rugby as well, every bar on Kosan was showing back to back gayball, I must try and find somewhere to watch the highlights and the matches today. I have reached the 2 week mark, the time span of my longest holiday before, so now I must be a real traveler!