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Well we are now two months into our travels and so far have travelled over land roughly 2500miles. So we are finally in Hanoi after many miles, frustrations and not much sleep at all. But we are here. The whole trip started out when we left from Huay Xai on the 1st November after the gibbon experience. We had originally planed to travel the 250 mile east to Muang Khua near the Laos/Vietnam border within one day. We woke early to get to the bus stop via Tuk-Tuk by 7am. On arrival we found that there was no direct bus to Muang Khua but there was a bus to Udomxai, a half way point between us and the border. 'Champion' we thought and booked a ticket for a bus at 8.30am. Around 8.20am we were told that our bus had been cancelled, probably due to the fact that we were the only ones who had bought tickets for that bus so it wasnt worth their while. We found a bus that would take us to Luang Nam Tha at 9am cutting our distance travelled in half again but at least it was a start. From there we could grab a bus to Udomxai and hopefully catch one to Muang Khua. After four hours on a bus held together with spit and sawdust we made it and it was a relief to get off the bus as we had been thrown all over due to the terrible bumpy roads. So around 1pm-ish we checked out the bus times to take us onto our next port of call and with still no option of Muang Khua, Udomxai it was. The bus was due to leave 3.30pm giving us some time to get some blood back in our dead arse cheek's and grab a bite to eat. We were told that the bus there would take three hours but sadly it took four. Again the roads were a nightmare but we had hope in our hearts that if we got there before 8pm we could catch a bus to Muang Khua. This was not the case as the last bus left at 3.30pm that day. We set out to do what we thought was possible but turns out we were trying the impossible. So a night in Udomxai it was. The guest house we found was good enough but the place it's self was dead. We had some food that was awfull and the worst meal we had had in Laos. Im not sure if it was the mixture of frustration or tiredness but all we wanted to do was bury our heads into the pillow and forget today had ever happened.
We were up early AGAIN as we had to make our way to the bus stop to catch the bus to Muang Khua at 7.30am and with fingers crossed we hoped we would be able to make it to the Vietnam border. On our way there we had our heads burried in our books with our iPods pumping out the tunes. Good job Ashleigh looked up for a second as she seen a black flash of somthing falling off the bus. The driver carried on and as she looked out the back window she watched my back pack bouncing along the road and into a ditch. "WWWWOOOOOOOOHHHHHH! STOP!" Ashleigh shouted and I could even hear it over my iPod. Lucky she seen it happen or I would be without 90% of my belongings for the rest of the trip. After the driver making sure that all bags were secure on the top of the bus we set off again. We took it in shifts to watch for bags falling off the roof and felt uneasy for the rest of the journey. The bus to Muang Khua took five hours in total and we stumbled of at a road side bus stop and onto a Tuk-Tuk to complete our trip to Muang Khua. We were just pleased to see our bags in all honesty. The Tuk-Tuk took a further 20 minutes and took us down to the river of Muang Khua where we thought we would cross and be able to catch a bus to the border with it only being around 1pm. Sadly as the fate of our crossing so far, the only bus that can take you to the border was at 5am meaning another nights stay. We took advantage of the early time of day by finding digs quickly, dumping our bags and getting out to find out how the bloody hell you get to Vietnam. After a quick stop at the tourist infomation centre we knew the price, place and time. Unfortunatly the time to catch the boat to cross the river was 4am so you could buy a ticket for a bus. With the thought of another early morning we decided to get a drink and some food in out bellies. We found a great place down near the river that offered BBQ's like the one we had had in Cambodia in Siem Reap and ordered one straight away with two Beerlaos. This kept us entertained for a couple of hours as you cook it all yourself over coals placed in a pot in the middle of the table. After a bit more of a walk about and a few more drinks at another bar, we bought a bag of treats, chocolate and chews and set up camp in our room by 6pm with our books in hand with the thought of an early night.
We prised our eyes open at 3.30am for the walk down to the river to catch the boat as we were instructed. We got there and there wasnt a sole about, it was pitch black, cold and dogs barking that would sit at our feet. At about 4.15am a few more people showed up much to our relief as we had'nt a clue what was going on. We waited till 4.45am and finally the boatman made his way down the bank on the other side of the river and collected us. Iv never been so happy to get over a river and onto a bus in all my life. Today we would make it to Vietnam! Our bags were loaded onto the bus with us which was a great relief as we wouldnt have to watch for them flying off all the way there. The bus again had seen better days and was filled to bursting with people, bags of onions, pans, floor mats and other variety's of crap. It took us six hours to reach the border after driving along roads that were still being built. After checking out of Laos, we took the short 2km drive to the Vietnam border, handed in our pass ports, got stamped and made our way back onto the bus in VIETNAM! We had made it and were over the moon, it had only taken another two more days than we thought it would but it felt like a life time. From the border we drove to Dien Bien Phu taking about one hour.
We had been told at the border that we could catch a bus on the hour from there to Hanoi and had hope in our hearts that we would be there by the end of the day. After the border crossing and the whole bus trip we made it to Dien Bien Phu around 12pm and hopped straight off the bus to check if and how we could get to Hanoi. There was no bus on the hour but we could get the sleeper bus that was leaving at 6.15pm that day and would get us to Hanoi by 6am the next day. So we cut our losses and thought whats one more day anyway. We had time on our hands and walked around Dien Bien Phu to see what was about. We had some food and ordered with the trusty technique of pointing and saying "One! One of those!" and also had one of the strongest coffee's we have ever drank. It woke me up just sniffing it. When 5.45pm came we decided to board our bus and get comfortable. The bus was great as it had seats that folded right down with foot well's so you could lye flat. Inside the bus looked like something off 2001:Space Odyssey that would be used to transport astronaughts in a state of suspended animation. We loved it and actually for the first time on our trip managed to get some pretty good sleep on a bus. So we have been in Hanoi for a good few hours now and are relieved to be here. We feel like we can get back to seeing some sights instead of the inside of a crowded bus. Our hotle room had the smallest bath in the world, im sure it's for midgets. I didnt really want a bath but had to test it out after I seen it. Tomorrow we have arranged a tour to Halong Bay on a Junk boat and we are going to take full advantage of resting up whilst watching the sights go by, making sure that a drink is always in our hands.
Love Peter and Ashleigh x
- comments
MAM & RAY Good god you two must be worn out ? you dont do things by half eh glad you are finally in Vietnam , sounds like you had a grate time in ya tree house i take my hat off to you both you have got some gut,s Ash going on that zip wire dont think i could have done it go girl !!! glad you got to see the toon thrash sunderland LOL !!! it was fantastic a bit like you seeing those Gibbons Ash but much much better ,sorry any mackems reading this but 5-1 haway man it was a fantastic day just what we needed to lift ya spirits from all this bloody rain send us some of that lovely sunshine over your getting.Try and rest up for a couple of days please carnt help worry you are doing to many bus trips & not getting enough rest ,how do you find the time to write these fantastic blogs son ? Tirra for now love you both take care rest up love & kisses ma xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
enid&tom you will be able to make a movie when get back.We have heard the boat trip on Hanlon Bay is beautiful cant wait to hear all about it.The weather here is heating up for you coming but you might be sick of the heat by now. Love Aunty Enid& Uncle Tomxx