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Location Date North America 1515801600 Europe 1504911600 Asia 
1386720000 South America 1372633200 Africa 1126047600 -
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Location Date Hanoi 1272236400 Da Nang
1272150000 Hoi An 1271286000 Hue 1270508400 Halong Bay 1236470400 Sapa 1236124800 Ninh Binh 1235606400 Nha Trang 1234915200 Ho Chi Minh City 1234656000 -
Location Date Sun, 25 April 2010 1272150000 Sat, 24 April 2010
1272063600 Thu, 22 April 2010 1271890800 Tue, 20 April 2010 1271718000 Tue, 13 April 2010 1271113200
Back on the road...or should I say the rails and then more rails and then the road......
This is my plan.....I am leaving Sunday at noon, from Da Nang to Hanoi. - 16 hour train. Arrive in Hanoi at 4 am, will head into town and grab a hotel room to clean up and maybe sleep???? before heading back to the train station where I will grab another overnight train at 8 pm. This one runs north of Hanoi - up into the beautiful terraced mountains where the colorful hill tribe people are. I will get off that train at around 5 am at the town of Lao Cai - still in Vietnam and then find a taxi or ox cart to take me the 4 km to the Chinese border where I will wait until 7 am ( when it opens...hopefully) and then see if my newly minted Chinese Visa is real ( one never knows in Vietnam!) If it is, I will walk out of Vietnam, be accepted with open arms into China, then walk? to the border town of Hekou where I am hoping they have buses to Kunming China, or to somewhere nice. This bus ride is estimated to take between 8 and 12 hours, depending on road conditions in the mountains. After last year's joyous busride around Beijing - how can this not be an adventure? That memory still makes me laugh out loud!
Somehow I think I just might be a little tired and maybe even cranky by the time I reach Kunming...especially if everyone on that bus is a smoker...... and/or a spitter!
This whole thing sounded like it would be fun about 10 days ago when I left my passport at a travel agency in DaNang to have it sent, god knows where, to obtain a Chinese Visa. Since then I got a nasty cold that has settled into my chest and the 'fun' concept just hasn't come back.....yet. I am hoping it will quickly reappear as soon as I board the train. I do love trains.
The thought of packing all of the stuff I have spread out over the last month here in DaNang is overwhelming. I do know that I am ready to see someplace new and shiny and only wish I had a full compliment of energy to accompany that desire.
Oh well, it is the journey and I am guessing this weekend may present the chance of longer lasting memories than if I was simply to snuggle in and watch another movie on HBO. Stay tuned to Channel Deb to see how closely my plan mirrors the reality of Vietnamese train schedules and sleeping berths and Hanoi mornings and mountain nights and Chinese border guards and towns I hope really do exist! Add to that the hordes of snotty Kleenex - hey, maybe I could go to one of those ear/nose washing services tomorrow? My fellow travelers may appreciate that from me!!!!.
What are you doing this weekend?
D,
- comments
Doug Smith Clearly you need to pick up some microwave popcorn packs for those in between adventure moments , and possibly for trade for other goods, services, or bribes. I can't imagine anything in front of you that would be more daunting that what has been behind you, and as long as you're walking, it's just one step at a time. China will be wonderfull, you'll see !!
Barbara Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather...not the best way to tackle an arduous journey. Perhaps you can rest on the train....there will be a nice, shiny new destination at the end of the trek to look forward to.What am I doing this weekend? We're settling in to snowy rain at the moment - the perfect afternoon to set the children to cleaning up their enormous fort in the basement. The buds are on the trees and the tulips are up but we're not done with winter yet....we'll be snuggling on the couch tonight!Have a safe journey,Barbara
Luisa Hi Deb, hope all your plans to get to China go without a hitch and you get better - get rid of that nasty cold. It's been easy to get colds here as well. We golfed in 22 deg C weather on Wednesday and today (Saturday) it's trying to snow!!!We have another grandson. His name is Conrad Bradley Bader and was born April 6 (7 lbs. 14 oz). Jen got to hospital at 12:06 a.m. and boom he was here at 12:29 a.m. Jen wonders what the in labor pains fuss is all about!!! Lucky girl!!! Jen, Ken and Damian all doing well but tired and grandparents tired as well. Take care and love to hear from you!!!!!
jenniferwilson We celebrated Claire's bday last Friday night. Thai food. Talked about you. Were your ears burning? We are all reading your blogs. This weekend--SNOW. Watched Jared play hockey today. Watched dance competition at UofC with Courtney beside me instead of on the stage. Weird feeling. Wanting to support the other girls. Is your Hoi An boyfriend traveling with you?? He is a keeper. Did catch your cold from him? Get well soon. Safe travels to China.
Johnnie D You ask what I am,doing, well trying to find a girl who did not go to a all girls school Ha Ha
hilaryramsey Hi Deb, Hope your cold is better - I can commiserate As I have had one for the last week as well.. miserable!!! You will love seeing this part of China. Can't wait to read up on your adventures. Hils x
Arlene Hi Debbo.When i get rich, I'm gonna buy you a train. Facsinating way to travel. Hope you get your passport back soon! Get rid of that cold soon, you don't want to get run down..... As for me, same stuff at home, mom not well, but am still going on my trip to Holland. Leaving this Friday - back on the 12th. Lots of playing and maybe "elbow" bending. haha. Take Care, L, Arlene
Catherine aka Nurse-C Oh loving living thru you again....This weekend;;;;; Well let's see ,,,,I am turning 50, dreaming about travelling just like you, enjoying all that Vancouver has to offer and I guess making sure my ears, nose and jokes are all clean! Keep up the amazing life you are leading.....I so enjoy every second sipping tea and reading about all your adventures...You truly make me laugh out LOUD!
Kathy McG Hey Deb, top of the day/night to you. I too have turned 50 something this week; and off to Mexico with a group of pals this weekend. Your adventures continue to amuse and you now have quite a following in the crown's office!! You go girl! Hugs, Kath
Debbie Hey you! Hope your cold is better... I was going to suggest getting a Neti-pot but you're probably over it now. It's a staple in Nelson...hot water, a few salt crystals and up the nose... You missed a great blizzard yesterday ... lots of fun! Enjoy your travels ... BTW: I'm a Roark fan too...