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HELLO to you all!!!!!
Firstly, we apologise that it has taken so long to post an update. We havent been able to find internet for long enough to write our news, plus we wanted to wait until we had some interesting news to tell you. . . .
So, the last time that we blogged, we were dreading the thought of another overnight coach journey to Vietnam's capital city . . . Hanoi!! Well, we made it . . . . just! This time the drivers weren't horn happy, they were just dodgy as f***. The drivers, and i use the term 'drivers' very loosely, were the Vietnamese version of Laurel and Hardy. One had the dodgiest tash ever with a bowl haircut, and the other, (I liked to think of him as the sidekick) was a strange guy with little man syndrome, always shouting.. and again, it lead to Lauren's tannoy shouting 'SHUT UP, I'M SLEEPING' back at him! Anyways, we got pulled twice by the police, the guys managed to drop off a s*** load of beer to a random van on the street and several envolopes of cash changed hands at the many petrol stops. 21 hours later . . . . we arrive!
Dumped in somewhere that 'stig of the dump' would even turn down as a home, we shared a taxi with some American lad to 'Central Backpackers Hostel'. Seriously if you are thinking of going to Hanoi, I recommend it. $5 a night in a dorm, which is big banter btw, free beer between 7-8 every night, and free breaskfast. We made the most of our first hostel so far and booked in for three nights.
As we arrived at 9am, we were tired but we decided to 'man up' and go exploring. For a capital city, it really didnt offer a lot and to be honest we were quite dissapointed with it. We visited a prison musuem, which was . . . . erm a museum plastered with Propaganda and Vietnamese things. We didnt learn a lot from the visit, put it that way.
Still, we were looking forward to the free beer, and the chance to experience hostel life and meet a s*** load of people...and we certainly did that. Giving ourselves a much needed motavational kick up the arse, we went down to the 'drinking room' with our deck of cards. There were a lot of Americans and Australians and one other English guy... His travelling attire was a blazer, loafers and shirt...very strange, and when he picked up his pint glass with his pinky out...well that was it ....DRINKKKK you twat!!
Still, we introduced our drinking games and by 8 everyone was smashed, dares were flying thick and fast, toes were licked, arses were shown, nipples in glasses, naked karaoke and a whole lot more. In the end, it turned out to be a let down as Hanoi on a thursday night was not the place to be.. Still a good night was had and friends were made.
We booked a trip to the famous Halong Bay the next day. So, in our hungover state we opted for the cheap option that everyone had warned us against! Usual trips for 2nights and 3 days costed between $60 - $150. We rolled up and got it for $30 ...typical us! That was for two days time. We found the leisure centre that afternoon as it was cold and we were thinking 'what would be doing in England right now' so we went swimming lol.
That night our bowels decided that they didn't like Hanoi either, and the toilet got a lot of loving . . . bed early doors, toilet on standby.
Feeling better, we got up and had a wander around town with a nice couple who arrived the previous night. They had been volunteering in North Vietnam and had lot's of stories, so we went around with them and had some 'pho' for lunch. Its like a noodle soup with meatballs in - very nice and also very risky considering my bowel movement.
Free beer again, and the same guys were out. We had Halong Bay the next morning so we werent planning on being out late . . . yer, well that quickly changed.
We smashed the free beer and again, more games and stupidness. Then we went to this bucket bar. We wanted a free t-shirt so brought a 'f*** me up' bucket . . . it was just like Ronseal, did exactly what it said on the tin. That then developed into our faces being painted, or rather, destroyed and the night carrying on in a very messy way. Home at 3, up at 7 hahahaha.
Being woken up, whilst your still pissed isn't nice.... but being woken up, whilst your still pissed, with Lauren looking at you with sick on her top, by the bed, on the floor to the toilet, in the toilet, in the shower, in the sink and in the dorm with 16 people in, really isnt nice.... Waking up to sick that smells of chicken super noodles for some reason, was a sign of things to come that day. We managed to get to the booking office at 8 (f*** knows how), after checking out without clearing the vom up, still covered in face paint and we waited .... and waited .... and waited. Hour and ten minutes later and no bus. The shop was shut too, and we began thinking our naivity might have cost us. . . we eventually got through to the shop owner and he came down and amazingly apologised and gave us our money back.. We had a flight booked to Thailand on 26th at 11pm so, again in our hungover states, we stupidly booked on for 2 days one night. As they f***ed up we got it for a lot cheaper.
We booked in to another hostel for the day as we couldn't go back to our old one as the 14 would be waking up to the vom about now... Slept all day and all night.
Feeling very fresh and with everything crossed we got to the shop, got on the bus and arrived to Halong Bay. Boarded our boat (called a junk) and sailed out to the floating Islands. When we got there, it was WOOOOOOW!!!! The most beautiful thing i have ever seen (apart from Lauren) and we were both awestruck! We went into a cave and we were just speechless. I am racking my little brain for words to describe it, but none would compare to how amazing it was. After exploring the caves we kayaked around them...that led to us both getting soacked becasue we ended up having a water fight...standard Lauren and Conor.
We slept the night on the boat and it was very nice, despite the ginger american guy we were stuck on the boat with, singing awfully on the karaoke.
Sailing back the next day and we thought 'we are lucky b******s', as the trip was amazing and so was all of the included food. It turned out one night was enough and we had a touch that it f***ed up really... Got our flight to Bangkok that night and arrived at 2am. We had a long way to go and only option was a taxi. So this dopey taxi driver eventually got us to Hui Hin at 5.30am. It was an appartment owned by someone Lauren knows and is currently where we are now. It is absolutely beautiful. We are more or less the only ones there, and it has a gym and a pool that we have been using lots. On top of that it is also right on the sea front. . . . oh and to rub it in to all of you in England it is 32 degrees hahahaha.
So, we have just been making the most of the sun, as Vietnam was very cold. It's also nice not to have to wear the same jumper everyday as I only packed one!!
We are both glad to have finished Vietnam as it didnt really live up to our expectations, and the people werent great. They always seemed to be on a mission to scam Westerners, but hey it was still amazing and we saw some wonderful, places, and learnt lots. One being for me never to have a goatee! (Lauren dared me to have one for a whole day. I looked like Gary Glitter and Ricky Gervais lovechild - pics on facebook, but it was for banter purposes).
Now for some serious sunbathing and moped driving. We rented one so i have been whizzing us round, safely, on that...
Sorry for the essay lol......
Whats going on at home? Miss you all loads, pics going on facebook soon....got so bloody many.
Miss you all.. Big Love
L + C xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- comments
bill guys just read your blogg , what a read, love it ,cant wait till the next 1.saz and the girls miss yu they send there love ,boyh be safe and carry on having a wicked time
Koti Hey both of you. god that took me a while 2 read lol! snds very eventful but great fun. Hope ur looking after each other miss u both lots and carry on keeping us updated. Enjoy :) xxxxx
Mum , Dad & Noah. Wow ,that was a good read.You have been so busy and done so much.We are glad you made it to the apartment in one piece and now you can both relax and catch a few rays.You will be pleased to hear it is absolutely freezing here.We are all missing you loads.Stay safe .xxxxxxxxxxxxx
grandma and gramps phew FEEL WORN OUT JUST READING ABOUT ALL YOUR ADVENTURES YOU ARE HAVING SUCH A BUSY TIME.HOPE YOU PUTTING PLENTY OF SUN LOTION ON IN THAT HEAT.WE FREEZING HERE.KEEP ON ENJOYING THINGS TAKE CARE LOVE TO YOU BOTH XXXXXXXXXX
Jane and Lissa Have just finished reading blog to Lissa..phew!! she loved all the beeped out words! The hostel sounds like you were both revisiting 'uni nights'. Sounds like you could both do with a detox. The coach journeys sound a nightmare -glad you are safely in the appartment now soaking up the sun. We are fine, Lissa's doing a Barmitzvah with C.Shed tomorrow and then working on Tales sessions next week. I have looked at the pic which are amazing. Lots of love xxx
Michelle Hello guys! Thank you for posting the blog on my wall...you know I love a. Hood read and a distraction from Uni life! It really does sound like you are having so much fun and I am loving the recommendation of backpackers central! Defo going be taking a nap there! What more could you want when you have free alcohol and breakfast! I am guessing the morning you work up and escaped from the other backpackers that you missed breakfast! Ha! As everyone else has already informed you it is so blooy freezing here :( so we are all very jealous of the swimming pool and hot weather! Well what news do I have for you? I am in Enfield and have been since Tuesday! I went out last night with the girls for Kylie's bday! We went for a meal and it was a really lovely evening! She didnt know I was home so I surprised her which was nice! I am going back to Uni tomorrow to continue with my essay which is due on Tuesday! But you don't wanna hear about boring Uni poop! So love you lots and speak soon! If you are online, call again! Love you x
auntie sarah Hey wicked blogg you are having a crazy crazy time and i am so jealous .you have done so much already sounds to me like a nice rest in the sun is just what you both need .so glad its working it so well and your having such fab experiences .stay safe keep enjoying miss you loads big hugs and loads of love xxxxxxxxxx
Charlie :) The floating island and caves sound amazin! Crackin up at lauren vomming everywhere! lol.....glad ur havin a good time. stay safe :) xxxx