Nha Trang & Biker Tour

Arrived in Nha Trang after a sleepless night on the overnight bus from Saigon.  Checked into my new hostel Forget Me Not.  I treated myself to a single room as it was cheaper than a dorm???? Crazy eh.

Sleeper Bus

Decided to go get breakfast then headed back to the hotel for a sleep, I was knackered.  When I got back I enquired about a trip to Dalat.  Someone in Saigon told me it was a great place to see.  The guy went and got a tour guide from round the corner.  Turns out they did a 3 day bike tour visiting the 'real' Vietnam and it incorporated Dalat.  Was quite expensive but thought....this is why i'm here.  Not just to follow the tourist route and I would save my pennies elsewhere. That afternoon I found a great restaurant opposite the beach and got online for a while.  I waited for the sun to set and headed over the road to watch it.  Was really peaceful sat on the sand listening to the waves and watching the sky turn colour.  That was of course until a local boy came and sat next to me.  He was mostly deaf and was communicating by writing on his phone.  I thought...'what is he selling' and it appeared to be nothing until......I told him I was leaving and he showed me a picture of 2 people having sex and pointed at me and him!!!!!!  In no uncertain term I told him to F off!

Woke up at 4am scratching the hell out of my ankles.  I'd been bit rotten!  I was in a really bad mood. Two nights without a decent sleep!

The next day after sleeping until 12pm, I decided to go to the beach.  Later that evening I went to a bar called Oasis.  The staff were really friendly and all took turns talking to me.  Later I realised that they did this as my drink was low then asked if i would like another LOL! Four drinks later I went home.  My trip was the next day.

Happy Buddha = Me!

My guide 'Ha' was outside waiting for me at 8am.  We loaded up and set off.  We stopped off for breakfast and had a noodle soup with a fried egg in it.  YUM!  Then we went to a Buddhist Monastary.  He nicknamed me the 'Happy Buddha' because of my belly and I was always smiling.  The latter saved him from a crack haha!  Throughout the day we visited various plantations including coffee, pepper, chocolate and rubber.  We had to stop often though because my ass was well numb.  At one point I couldn't move my leg to get it over the bike to get off hahahaha.  The poor bugger was stung by a bee on the drive and later that evening at dinner he came out with pink powder all over his neck (where he was stung).

picking coffee

rubber tree

me and Ha having dinner and a drink

pink stuff for the bee sting

The next day was my absolute highlight.  We went to Dray Nur waterfall.  I had a dip and stood underneath the smaller waterfall and Ha took some great photos.  I did fall on my ass getting in though on the slippery rocks so I slid in on my butt.

Later we saw people harvesting rice and then went for lunch.  I love this food! After, he arranged for an elephant ride around the local village.  I loved it!!!  On the way back the elephant took us in the river and walked back to the restaurant that was.  It was great fun, although, when he ducked his head in the river to cool off I nearly went straight over the top of him hahaha!  After that, his keeper splashed him to cool him instead.  After this we set off again.  We arrived at Lak Resort on the lake and I wondered what we were seeing here.  Ha told me we were staying here tonight.  WOW!!! It was amazing! I had my own cabin right on the lake, a swimming pool and lush greenery everywhere.  After watching the sunset on the lake I joined Ha and his mate Ha (I know..funny) for dinner.

sunset on the lake

The next morning we headed for Dalat.  It wasn't as amazing as I thought but the ride back to Nha Trang the following day was amazing.  We took the 'new' road through the mountains and stopped at waterfalls and great views all the way.  When we were almost back he stopped at a local shop and had me making rice paper.  It was great fun.  

check me out!!

I arrived at the True Friends hostel and bid farewell to Ha.  I wanted to go to the mud baths so I booked it for the next day.  I met a girl in my dorm called Amy.  She was lovely.  We got talking and she booked on the same tour the next day.

The next morning we went for breakfast at the Oasis bar then off we went to the mud baths.  The mud was more like chocolate milk than the stuff that pigs roll in.  It was lush.  After, we went in the mineral baths and then to the swimming pool.  It was full of kids running riot!! We'd forgot it was Sunday.  We went for lunch where I introduced Amy to the fried egg and noodle soup.  She loved it.  We left early to get away from the kids and went for a massage.

(Lost the pics of the mud baths...gutted! Find out how in the next blog...)

After a nice relaxing hour I took Amy back to the Oasis bar where we indulged in a few cocktails. The staff were all over me again and Amy was laughing.  They were hugging me and chatting to us until we left.  Had to leave fore 6pm as my night bus to Hoi An was at 6:30pm.  So I bid my farwell's and off I went into the another sleepless night.

Saigon/HCMC...potato/potarto

Well, it was time to catch another night bus to Saigon....now named Ho Chi Minh City since the end of the war.  I was really looking forward to finding out about the history of the was as I was very ignorant and only knew that it had happened.

Arrived in the morning and found my hostel was across the road down a side alley.  After telling a taxi driver to do one when he told me it was 15 minutes away I went and checked in.  I was starving! I went for a wonder and ate at the first restaurant I was dragged into.  Burger and chips...had to be done.  I then went to a local chemist to get some stuff for my coldsores which had developed...all bloody 3 of them on my top lip. Looked like a bleedin duck LOL!  After I got the medicine (with HERPES on the box in big bold letters) I went back and got online.  Later that day I was invited to go for dinner with my roomies.  I was well chuffed!  At last, people who wanted to socialise!  Wanted to join them in a hotpot but didn't want to risk spreading my lurgie so had chilli beef with noodles.  Early night for us all so I watched 'Weekend At Bernies'.  Reminded me of Chris and was fooking hilarious.

My dorm room

The next morning I was up at 7am to get my tour to the Mekong Delta. YAWNNNN! On the bus I was sat next to a German guy.  He rudely turned his back to me and talked to a French woman all the way there.  Ignorant bastard!  There was the saving grace of another English girl on the trip called Gemma.  We got on great and made the 6 hour round trip bearable.  We went to through a floating fruit market (on a boat of course lol), then to watch rice paper, popping rice, and rice candy being made.  Then we went to a Honey place.  Where there's honey....there's bee's!!  Freaked out when he brought a slate full of them near me.  Drank my honey tea and made a quick sharp exit out of the place. BURRRRGHHH!  Later we went for lunch which was great.  After that we went on a rowing boat and got to wear the traditional hat - highlight.  Small things eh? Ha ha.  When we got back, Gemma and I had dinner then parted ways.  Good day.

Mekong River

Popping rice...tasted like sugar puffs

Rice wine....dont mind if I do

rice paper

ARGH!! snakes and scorpians in a bottle!

Last pic before my speedy exit

Lunch

Its all about the hat

The next day was lie in day and errands.  I emailed Amazon about my Kindle and low and behold they were gonna replace it free of charge!  I was so chuffed.  Its currently on its way to Thailand for me to collect before Xmas.  I went to change my flight at the Emirates office, posted my old Kindle home and went to find the war museum.  This time I was prepared for the pictures.  Still horrible though and left still not knowing about why the war happened.  That night I decided on a few drinks.  Got talking to 2 guys in the dorm and 1 of them asked if he could join me.  Company again...YES!  Had a few beers and chatted the night away.  Stopped off at then local 7/11 to buy some noodles as I'd not had any tea.  It was 2am...WHOOPS!

Post Office

Notre Dam Cathedral

Agent Orange dropped by the Americans devastated all kinds of life  

Outside the museum

Woke up early at 7:30am for the tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels.  A bit groggy but ok.  Was sat next to a guy from Wigan on the bus. Yes! a fellow northerner.  At the toilet stop a girl from the bus came over and asked where we were from.  I said England and she said 'well what language were we speaking?' I was confused then we burst out laughing.  That's proper northern english for ya hahahaha!  Had a great day and got to go through the tunnel.  It was really surreal as there was gunfire around us from the firing range as we walked around.  I wanted a go but didn't have enough money on me.  Ran into Andrew from the night before.  He was rough....thought Aussies could drink lol.  Still left not knowing about the bloody war!  Today was Si's birthday and all I could think was how much he would have loved this place.

Can you spot the tunnel entrance???

No chance of a kodak moment for me...my ass is way to big

OUCH!!! Bamboo trap

Inside the tunnel

Got back to my hostel and as i'd checked out I managed to swindle a bed for a few hours kip.  Only, the air con packed in and just lay there sweating my ass off.  Bleedin typical.  8pm came around and time to catch the bus to Nha Trang.

On the 'shish' with Andrew

Ahhhhh luxury at last on this night bus..zzzzzzzzz

Not Another Beer Captain!!

Arrived in Sihanoukville in the morning.  Got a bike to my hostel....Tranquility Guesthouse.  It was lovely.  Right on the beach and I was upgraded from a room with a fan and cold water to a room with hot water, air con and a tv as they had no other room for me.  Love it when that happens!  I saw a sign on the counter and asked him what day it was.  He laughed and said Saturday.  He knew I was looking at this......

My room wasn't ready until 12pm so grabbed a Full English. 

Egg, proper bacon, sausage, tomato, mushrooms, beans, huge hash brown and toast!!

Pissing down.

Jason the owner told me the Vietnam Embassy was open today until 12pm so I decided to go get my visa.  Only took 10 minutes and cost $45.

Later that day I went on the beach in front of the hotel for what I thought would be a relaxing few hours reading.  Oh how wrong was I!  Next thing I was crowded by women trying to sell me something.  I don't mind this because if I didn't want anything I would just say no but I like helping them out....or so I thought.
Next thing I knew I was having my legs threaded, toenails and fingernails painted, eyebrows threaded and a bracelet with my name made.  The whole thing costed $40.  Expensive here but not when you compare it to home.  They kept laughing at me when I got my legs done....it friggin hurt and I was screeching like a baby.  I told them if it doesn't get me a man I wanted a refund.  This tickled them all.  Every man that passed they pointed to and shouted at!!!! Embarrased.com!

OUCHHHHHHHHHHHH!

These ladies often make a withdrawal at Bank of Tracy

Nails...loved it!

Later that night I saw an advert at the hotel and decided I was gonna do a booze cruise the next day to meet some people.  It ran from 2pm to 7pm.

The next day I went on the beach.  The sunbeds are free, you just have to buy a drink at the bar. $1 beer please and a bottle of water...SOLD!  It was so relaxing and the sea was like bathwater.  That afternoon I met Lily and Peter.  More local hawkers.  I agreed to get Rhys's name on a bracelet and some fruit.  I was going to get Reshen's but I saved it for my new friends outside my hotel.  I wear them every night.  Got back to the hotel and went for a shower.  I jumped at my reflection in the mirror!  I was well brown and a little red.  Even factor 45 wasn't keeping these rays at bay.  

Life's a beach

Decided today, not to do the booze cruise and do a 3 island cruise with BBQ, snorkelling and beaches.  Why should I have to get drunk with a load of idiots on a booze cruise just to socialise.  Mum was well proud and so was I.  Turning a corner??? I think so.

The next morning I arrived at Angkor Beach Bar for my free breakfast.  A spanish guy from behind asked for a light and when he said 'thank you' I said 'de nada' (spanish for don't mention it).  We boarded the boat from the beach and set off for the islands.  The group was great.  I got talking to a Danish family and the spanish guy asked if I was spanish.  'Soy ingles'(i'm english)....I had confused him before by responding in spanish.  Well funny.  They were a great bunch to be with.  

I didn't catch the fish...just fed them the bait lol!

Decided I wasn't ready to overcome my fear of snorkelling yet so I stayed put on the boat covered up as I was a little red from the day before and tried my hand at fishing.  The captain offered for me to join him for a beer.  Why not!  It was already his 3rd LOL.  When we got to the island we got off the boat into the sea.  Well everyone stepped off apart from me....kerplonk....SPLASHHHHH!  Fell off the bleedin boat and landed on my ass in the water and so did my bag, camera and all!  I was laughing so hard but I pulled my camera out straight away.  It was ok.  My phone, kindle and ipod were kaput.  I laid them out to dry them off and stripped to my bikini and hung my clothes on a tree.  What a knob!!  Still don't think logically.  Any sane person would have handed their stuff to the guy on the beach THEN fell off hahaha!

Put that bloody beer down Captain!!!

NO CHANCE MATE!

Cooking the catch

Lunch...barracuda. Was yum mmm

Later my ipod started working.  My camera was ok as it was in its cover but no sign from my kindle and phone.  Went for a walk on the beach with one of the spanish guys and had a really good chat (calm down everyone he was 44 and not my type).  Had a good laugh....at last!  On the way back the captain was still downing his weight in Angkor Beer....worried much??!!  When I got off the boat, Anton and his spanish friends more or less carried me off the boat to the beach with the boat boy carrying my stuff to safety hahahahaha.

Forgot to book my night coach to Vietnam today so thought why not stay for another night.  I wasn't yet ready to hit the chaos of Saigon.  In the morning, Jason booked my coach for the next night and discounted the room I was staying in for my last night.  Not ready to hit the beach today so gonna chill, eat and download a film for tonight.  I must admit that hearing the music in the bars is tempting but i'm not here for that.  Might hit the bar next door for a couple tonight but thats it.

Chillin right by the beach...beer in hand

So far I am the owner of 5 bracelets and 2 head bands and I'm sure it wont end there.  I'm gonna wear them all on my last day and tell them to bugger off when they approach LOL.

I am definately coming back to Cambodia for a 2 week holiday in the future.  With friends hopefully.  Maybe 4 days in Siem Reap then 10 days at Sihanoukville.  Its got everything.  Cheap hotels, beer, food, massages, markets, good looking boys and great nightlife.  What say you girls???