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Hi everyone! Hope you're all well!
Lots of updates since our previous entry so here it goes!
After Phnom Penh we made our way to Sihanoukville which was a beach resort. When we arrived, around 10pm, we had a few drinks and tried to find some food - no1 served food after 10pm so ended up at a 24hr mini mart eating a hotdog!
Following day we went to a lovely beach - Sokha Beach - lovely white sandy beach! That night we went out and partied with some Canadian people we met - very fun night - drinking lots of vodka red bull buckets! Ended up in the sea at 3am!
The next day however was a complete write off - I was unable to get out of bed all day!! ( it must of been something i ate!!)
On our third day we had a night bus at 7pm to take us onto Vietnam so we hired a tuktuk for the day and it took us to another lovely beach which was really chilled out and Dan was given a lovely massage by a local Cambodian lady called ' dave', well we think she was a lady.
That night we were supposed to be getting a 'sleeper bus' for the treacherous journey to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. However, it turned out to be a bus which had reclining seats - not the most comfortable ride but the border went more smoothly than the Thailand-Cambodia border so that was a relief.
We arrived in Ho Chi Minh early in the morning and immediately noticed the difference between Cambodia and Vietnam. The infrastructure was far better and most notably was the amount of motorbikes and mo-peds on the road! We have never seen anything like it! We stayed in a nice hotel here and were grateful for a TV and shower!
That day we explored the city but soon realised it was pretty difficult to even cross the roads without fearing for you life! So we stuck to main centre - I had a pedicure for 1 pound!! The following day we went to the Cu Chi Tunnels via a bus tour - These are the tunnels that the Vietnamese army used to fight the war against the US. The tour was fantastic we were allowed to go into the the tunnel system, it was so small and claustrophic but we done it. At the end of the tour we were allowed to have ago at firing a AK 47 gun which was used during the war. Altogether it was a wicked day!
The next morning we had a sleeper day bus to Nha Trang - it was a long journey but lots of beautiful scenary along the way although it was pretty frightening in places as went up the mountains!
Nha Trang was a town on the east coast of Vietnam and when we arrived late the night the first place we had to find was somewhere to watch the Arsenal v. Man City match. Luckily enough there was a sports bar opposite and Arsenal won!
We spent the next day relaxing on the beach and chilling on the hostel, and went out that night in a nice bar on the beach front. Again met lots of people and had a good night. ( again we ended up in the sea!)
With a slightly sore head we went to an island called Vinpearl which had a waterpark (google it, this island was awesome) - so we had a fun day on the water rides and on a gorgeous beach!
We then made our way to Hoi An which is a beautiful old town. We arrived early in the morning after another sleeper bus journey and we went on the river and a boat ride with the boat all to ourselves - it was so relaxing and chilled. We spent the rest of the day exploring and Dan got a suit made by a local tailor - within 8 hours he had been measured and fitted with a very nice suit! It has been sent home - fingers crossed it makes it!!
Sadly, we only had one night in Hoi An but it would have been lovely to spend longer there as at night it was extremely pretty with the lanterns everywhere.
We then began the journey to Hanoi which is where we are right now! After a 20 hour bus ride and the worst driver and roads so far we arrived in one piece although absolutely shattered. We went to see Ho Chi Minh's body in a museum this morning which was a very weird experience -they have kept his body preserved since his death.
The hostel here has good facilities and cool people so probably spend the rest of the day chilling out here, as alike Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is extremely chaotic!! Tomorrow we will be going out on a boat cruise to Halong Bay for one night before heading to Laos (which is a 32 hour coach ride)!
Hope this has kept you updated with our whereabouts and photos will hopefully be uploaded today - we just need to find a computer that has a usb port!!
Take care and enjoy your weekend!
Rachel and Dan
- comments
Helen Blaney Great to hear all the news , cant wait for photos . massage sounds interesting Dan !! Boat cruise is really good Dot and Marc did it. Take care speak soon xxxx
Zara Love reading what you guys are up to - cant believe you have been away for almost 3 weeks already! Have fun on the boat ride and good luck for your coach journey. Cant wait to see some pics and be jel of how brown you both are! :) xxxxxxxxx
Ryan Love these blogs.
anne and richard Hi Rachel and Dan, just remember we are all following you and enjoying the tour x
Danny Sounds like you are both having and amazing time! very jealous! have fun and look forward to seeing some photos!
Suzy GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!!! Hi Dan and Rach, thanks so much for the fantastic blogs...keep 'em coming. Enjoy every moment, because before you know it, you'll be back in cold, damp, boring England!
laney Sounds so amazing! Lovely reading what you guys are up to. Stay safe and keep having fun x
Nan & Grandad Nan & Grandad. SO glad you're having a great time. Sounds fantastic! Missed you Daniel yesterday with the TV digital switchover - but Grandad managed to fix it! Have fun both of you & take care - keep on blogging. Lots of Love to you both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sam and Adam Love it! Sounds like you're having such a great time. Take care, speak to you soon. Sam and Adam xxx