Halong Bay - another favorite spot in Vietnam

The cockroach infested train ride was worth it for a visit to Halong bay!! This place deserves a spot as one of the top places I have visited so far!

We chartered a private junk boat for 4 hours to view these mountainous islands and visit the caves. I felt like I was in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. Nice and relaxing. Beautiful sites!
Once again, my iPhone camera can only capture so much. The web album below is much better!

Click on this picture below to see much better pictures of the islands and of the massive cave!

The train ride I will never forget - Hue to Hoian

Had the worst overnight train ride experience in my life last night :( So here is my warning!! Never take the overnight train from Hue to Hoian! Opt for a flight or bus instead.

Boarding the train was not too bad. We were welcomed by "clean" beds compared to the "already slept in" beds from our last overnight train. So at this point, all was going well for us. Until I heard a scream from a cabin two doors down yelling that there were cockroaches in the cabin. "Great" I thought to myself. "This is going to be a LONG night."

We boarded the train at 3pm and arrived at 4:30am the next day. Indeed this was the longest train ride of my life!

Although the cockroaches started creeping up in two cabins away from me, they soon made their way to my my cabin as well. Ugh!! These buggers creep me out! So my cabin mates and I decided to "sleep" with the lights on so we can see the roaches creeping in and kill them easier throughout the night.

As you can imagine, I couldn't get comfortable even at the slightest knowing that there was a great possibility that I woke up with a cockroach on my face. Gross! Oh the joys of traveling :) But I knew I couldn't stay up for the entire 13 hour train ride. So I crawled into my sleep sack, curled up into a ball, covered my entire body, including my face, into my sleep sack and tried my very best to go to sleep.

I couldn't really get into a deep sleep. I was not only bothered by the roaches, I was bothered by the light blaring through my thin silk sleep sack and the drastic temperature changes ranging from freezing cold air to hot and humid air blowing from the vent. This couldn't get any worse!

I finally got fed up and decided that sleeping was just not an option any longer. I needed to get out of my tiny cabin and off this train! So my friend Jeremy and I decided to roam around the train and try to find something entertaining. I was so grateful for his company. He killed some roaches that were near me while I tried sleeping and kept me company during this madness.

As we walked through the train it just got worse and worse. Different smells radiated from different sections of the trains, dead cockroaches lined the hallways and bathrooms just got dirtier and dirtier. So what did I do - I reminded myself that I was in Vietnam. I yet again realized how fortunate I am to live in the US where cleanliness is expected and  safety regulations are enforced. I started understanding why everything in the US is so much more expensive compared to SE Asia because there is a lot that goes into keeping places clean and sanitary. From now on I will hold a greater appreciation for the work that it takes to keep things clean and can now value the price it costs to live in a clean country.

At this point, Jeremey and I decided that roaming around was making things worse. So we found plastic chairs in one of the bathrooms (yes, this was very random to us too) and sat and chatted. We took pictures of our reflections in the window to pass time and started finding people to talk with who were also up at 3am.

By 3:30am the train stops and loads of people start rushing to exit. Jeremy and I look at each other and wonder why so many people are departing this early. We were told we weren't supposed to arrive until 5am! We assumed this was a different stop until we kept on seeing more and more people depart. We finally asked someone what stop this was and it was Hanoi! OUR STOP! Jeremy and I looked at each other in panic. We were on the opposite end of the train from our group and couldn't get through the line of people to join our group. Were we going to miss our stop and have to stay on this god forsaken train? NOOOOOO!!!! I couldn't take it any longer!

We finally pushed our way through the crowded walkway and ran to our cabin to find the others. We saw our group leader just coming out of his cabin and I said to him "we are in Hanoi, this is our stop right?!". He said he was just told and we got in 1 1/2 hours early. I couldn't believe my ears. I started crying with joy. I was really crying. I was SOOOOOOO happy. I was free!! I could leave the train now!

Below are a few pictures of my train trip if you are interested.

My group was franticly packing and trying to get their stuff together so we could leave the train. No one was prepared to leave this early except for me. Before Jeremy and I went to roam the train I had already packed up my things pretending like I was ready to go (I thought this would help me pass time and get me excited :). So I easily grabbed my bag and waited for my group. Tears were literally rolling down my cheeks. I was SO relieved to be leaving and so unexpectedly early!

I yelled to the group, "Come on guys!!"
What! The train is starting to move again. NOOOOOOOOO!

At this point most of us were now lined up with our backpacks on and ready to depart. "But, why is the train moving? We HAVE to get off of this train!" I was seriously ready to just jump off. I couldn't be on the train any longer. It wasn't moving that fast. I figured I would survive by jumping. :) Luckily, it took about 5 minutes when the train stopped and started going back to the direction we needed to be. THANK GOD!

We departed the train at 4am and got onto a bus for another 4 hour journey.

I am finally in Halong Bay, in a clean hotel and just got out of one of the best showers of my life. How grateful I am for clean water, clean sheets, a cockroach free enviornement and an outlet to vent my experience. :)

Now I go onward with my journey. Challenges like these are what helps me to appreciate the small things I take for granted back at home like simple cleanliness. I chose this journey, I knew this was inevitable. I am glad it is over, and I am glad I learned from it.

Click on this picture for more pics of my journey :(

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A scooter tour through Hue - Vietnam

Had a great time with Khoa, my scooter driver, roaming around the town of Hue! We visited the countryside, an orphange, the Citadel and Pagoda.

Here are a few fun videos on the drive and a few pictures below for the sights!

-

 

Click on this picture for more.

Hoi An - my favorite stop so far!

Hoi An, in central Vietnam, was my favorite stop on my journey so far. This is a place I will definitely return to in my future! Can't wait!

Why? This town has a mixutre of some of my favorite places. The town has a European feel with cobble stone streets, narrow allies, bright colored walls, plants and trees everywhere and open air cafes and shops.A river flows right through the center of town where you can take river boat rides.  It has the asian feel with locals walking around with their straw coned shaped hats and restuarnts serving delcious cheap Vietnames cuisine. The country side is only a bike ride away where there are acres and acres of rice and lotus flower fields, water buffalos, well manicured gardens and more! The beach is also very close by changing up the scene for a nice relaxed day. And the shops...... there must be at least 100 custom tailor shops where you can get an entire new wardrobe for an affordable price! Oh, I can't wait to return with an empty suitcase and money to my name.

This town has such a romantic feel. This was my favorite stop so far. I look forward to returning!

Some of the special memories to list:

• One of my favorite flowers called bouganvilla were everywhere! These flowers remind me of both my childhood and my good friend Tawny. Loved seeing them all around town!
• Chiwawa's were roaming the streets everywhere which always make me think of my dad, stepmother and stepbrother who have 4 of them! The dogs in Hoi An were much healthier than any of the other towns I have visited. This made me happy :)
• There was even a place to play bingo in Hoi An which reminded me of my mother and aunt who absolutely love to play :)
• There were much fewer bombarding sales people in this town. Finally! A place we can walk more than 100 steps before being asked to buy something. I just fell so bad for these people. Having a break from them helped me to enjoy my trip rather than feel bad for poor people.
• The architecture is so nice. I just love old buidlings.
• Music on the streets
• Art galleries
• Craft shops made by disabled people and orphans were easily found in town. I just love supporting shops like these.  
• I walked by a school with a huge food guide pyramid painted at the entrance wall. Very cool!
• And really my favorite of all are the many lanterns and lights that line the town and river at night. Just beautiful! 

 These pictures don't come close to the actual town. The web album below is better but you have to see it for yourself :)

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 Saw this in one of the shops. Loved it :)

 

 

 I love how the light reflects off the river at night. This town is so romantic at night :)

 

Bike ride all day long
I'm coming back to this place!

 

  

I just love playing with kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on this picture for the entire album.

Vietnamese food!

Food is a big part of my travels. I LOVE learning and trying out the cuisine of the country I am visiting. Here are some great dishes I have yet experienced here in Vietnam!

PHO is EVERYWHERE!
Ok now that is said here are some other dishes :)

Really nice rice noodles and veggie stir fry.



Here is a noodle dish that was one of the best I've yet had! And it was from a street vendor only costing $1! I had to take out the meat but luckily I often have hungry boys around who I can easily share with.








My guess of ingredients: Rice noodles, mint, basil, lettuce, cucumber, spring onions, mung bean sprouts, marinated carrot/cucumber salad, peanuts, chilli, sweet broth (possibly fish sauce, sugar). Delicious!


Delicious veggie curry. Can't tell what spices are used but definitely has a different taste than Thai or Cambodian curries.



Vietnamese coffee. Served in an individual filter. One must wait for it to drip veeerrry slowly.




Fish porridge for breakfast. Why not? I like to try and eat what the locals do! Was yummy.




Condiment at lots of restaurants. Salt and pepper with lime.




Tofu mushroom soup




Red Snapper wrapped in a banana leaf topped with sautéd spring onions, lemongrass,shallots, black pepper and lots of lime. Delicious! Got a happy dance out of me!! Went back the next day for lunch and ordered the same dish. Can't beat a $3 fresh piece of fish! Im definitely making this when I get back at home (got the recipe and all!!)


Traditional Vietnamese spread.  Roll your own spring rolls: rice paper, greens/herbs, protein on a stick (chicken, pork, beef, tofu), peanut sauce, mung bean sprouts and anything else you would like to add.



The food has been delicious!! Im a very happy girl eating this food :)

Funny memories worth capturing (to be continued!)

I have compiled some great memories that have made me laugh throughout my trip so far. I look forward to the many more I have to add to this list!


American fried rice. Hmm. Does it make it American because of the sausage that comes along with the rice? Oh no it must be the chicken wing in the back. Im confused.






In America we always follow the rules and put kids in a car seat. In SE Asia, there are NO rules! You see this EVERYWHERE!

Vietnams version of a Car seat :)





In front of most places there is a tiny house. In America the closest thing I can think of are garages where we house our cars. In Thailand and Cambodia they house Spirit! We feed our prized possession foreign gas. They feed their spirit local food. They visit their spirits house everyday making offerings and saying blessings. And we brag about our new car that we just paid a fortune for. Hmm such different priorities.





The bathrooms. Won't forget these. Had to learn how to use them and not complain. Drinking less water is the only way to prevent using them.





This lovely toilet confused me too. Yep, thats right. You pee on the floor. Welcome to my travels everyone :) Pretty sure I got two mosquito bites on my leg from using that one. So not only did I get to use this lovely toliet, I got two presents to leave me with. :( At least it had a door :) Could be worse.



  

Kids are amazing here. They figure out ways to use what they have and still look happy. Here is a picture of a kid who really was riding this bike. How cool.

Fill her up! Gas stations for tuk tuk refills. How fun! A big barrel and a hose. What else do you need?





Everywhere I go I see some type of spiritual corner where there are offerings made to the higher powers. Here is a picture in a bar in Cambodia where the offerings are shots of alcohol! At the end of the day it's still an offering.



Not motel 6. But even better. Motel 7!




Exactly what is birds nest flavoring? This drink is sold all around Cambodia!




And truly in the ingredient list it says: GENUINE Bird Nest. Hmmm not sure about trying out this one.




We stopped for some Vietnamese street food and was welcomed by a sign with an Italian guy as their logo. I think they are confused. No italian food on that menu, just Vietnamese food here!



Cyclo in Vietnam. Looks like a nice reclined ride at Disney land!



Group exercise classes in the early morning! Free of charge!! How fun is this?! No joking around here. These people are getting there workout in as a community activity. I'm jealous. I want this back at home.




I was walking along the street back to my hotel and I see 2 men getting their haircut on the sidewalk. Why not open up a barber shop on the sidewalk?



Love this!! Read it in a Vietnamese magazine in the health section. Talked about Acupuncture points to help with high cholesterol!




Size large in Vietnam. Guess I'm an XL in this country :( These underwear were tiny for a large!



Last but not least, whitening cream is sold everywhere here in Vietnam. Sad to say the lower class are the darker skin people as they are outdoors working in the fields all day, so having whiter skin is a sign of upper class. As travelers we want to be as brown as possible so be careful when purchasing simple body lotion!



Great memories to capture :) More to come as my journeys continue!