Ho Chi Min City

We've just spent our last day in Ho Chi Min City (Saigon), I was told that this city was worse than Bangkok so I wasn't really looking forward to arriving here but I have to admit I have really enjoyed being here. The people are still friendly and even though people try and sell you stuff in the streets they are not as annoying as the people in Bangkok.

On our way down we met another Spanish chap called Jesus, Steve and I originally saw him on our city trip in Hue and then in Vang Trang. He's a nice chap so we've spent some time hanging out with him. On our second day here we went to the Cu Chi tunnels and saw how the Vietnamese thought the US Soldiers during the Vietnam War. We saw lots of traps that they used and even got to have a go at going through one of the tunnels. I do feel that the Vietnamese have been through a lot, even though a what you are told and see is very one sided but with the French taking over, the Vietnam war and then Cambodia having a go when the Americans left you have to admire the resilience of the people.

It was a good day out but very very warm and we were all tired by the time we got back to our hotel. We chilled out for a bit and then went to meet two friends of Jesus, we had dinner with them and a few drinks, it was a nice chilled out evening.

On Our last day in Ho Chi Min city we visited the war museum, this was not what I expected and again it was a little one sided but it demonstrated the use of chemical weapons (Agent Orange) and its effects on the Vietnamese people. Now every side has a story tell and I went in open minded but this showed the terrible effect of the Vietnam war on the 'normal people'. I didn't take any photos inside the war museum out of respect for the people who died in the war and I don't think its right to take photos of such things but I did take photos outside of the artillery and the machines left behind by the Americans.

I have loved my time in Vietnam and I do think that I will come back one day and maybe see more of the places I have been and try to get to some places we haven't had time to visit. Next stop Cambodia...

Mui Ne

Nui Ne was pretty much like Nah Trang, really chilled out and situated by a very nice beach. Nui Ne was very popular with Russians and the whole place was packed with them, it didn't really feel like we were in Asia at all.

The beach is very popular with wind surfers and the whole beach was packed with them, I wouldn't feel safe swimming in the ocean as there was a chance of being decapitated by someone flying past.

We spent one night drinking Vodka and playing card games with a Russian we met on our resort, the next day we were all hungover so the next day was a right off. On our last day Steve and I hired bikes and took a long bike ride out to a little fishing village, there were hundreds of boats all together in the bay, none of seemed to be going out as most of the locals were celebrating TET. We met up with Lloyd after we had finished our bike ride and went to a spa and had our feet nibbled by fish which was a really strange experience but was good fun. I'm now in Saigon, tomorrow we go to the Cu Chi tunnels and plan on visiting the war museum and then we have a fun 14 hour bus ride into Cambodia!

Nah Trang

Short post here for you, I'm currently in Nah Trang. We took the over night train from Hoi Han and arrived in Nah Trang at around 8 in the morning. The train ride wasn't too bad and I slept most of the way on a very comfortable bed that was basically a wooded board covered with a sheet.

There's not much to do in Nah Trang but chill out on the beach which is a stones throw from our hotel. I've had a very messy night out with Lloyd, Steven and a group of girls from Australia who we met on our city tour in Hue. That's the great thing about travelling, you keep bumping into the same people time and time again, it's good to meet new people. I've not taken many pictures since arriving here  but will hopefully take more at the next destination.

Hue and Hoi Han

Hello this is a double blog since I’ve not had time to post one while in Hue. Hue is a 11 hour train ride from Minh Bhin, the train ride was quite comfortable and they had a TV on board so there was always something to take your mind off the journey. When we arrived in Hue we were taken by taxi to the DMZ hotel, this hotel was good and I would recommend it to any one stopping in Hue. The cost of a triple room was about $20 a night which is very cheap between 3 people.

Our first evening there we had a few drinks and some good food in a restaurant called Little Italy, also owned by the manger of the DMZ hotel. We were given 10% discount on food and drinks and also 10% discount in the DMZ bar. The DMZ bar was great it played good indie music and had a laid back vibe. If you go to Hue make sure you stop in the DMZ hotel as well as the room being comfortable the staff were really friendly and helpful.

Steve and I took a city tour organised by our hotel (Lloyd stayed behind as he was not feeling well). The tour took us to the old imperial city (now ruins, it was bombed during the Vietnam War), an old pagoda where the Emperors Mandarins lived, three tombs and finally a boat ride back into the centre of Hue. The second Tomb we visited was absolutely stunning unfortunately the weather wasn’t too good but this added to the atmosphere of the place.

Hue is divided by a river, the north side is very busy with lots of traffic, pedlo drivers and tourists and the south side is very laid back with lots of bars and restaurants. For me the south side was most enjoyable.

Hoi Han is a four hour bus ride from Hue and I’m pleased to announce that the weather has finally improved, it’s nice and warm again and I can finally wear shorts! Within a couple of hours of arriving we were already in a tailors shop been fitted for clothing. Lloyd and I bought a jacket, mine is a dark navy corduroy, mod style double breasted jacket. I picked it up today and it fits well and is really well made.

We stopped for  one night in a hotel but we were not too keen on staying longer so moved to a new hotel which is really nice, the only downside is that the hotel has a tailor, Steve and I found ourselves been measured up yet again, Black skinny jeans for me and a white shirt for Steven to go with his new Suit.

Hoi Han is a really nice city and I think we will spend a few days here, again it’s separated by a river and the city feels very old and is very beautiful. On our first night in Hoi Han we found a nice bar called Now and Then, it plays a good range of Indie and Rock and the food looks really good so we will be eating there tonight. We have a few more days here in Hoi Han so I am sure I will have more to report back on. There is a beach a short bike ride out of Hoi Han so maybe we will do that tomorrow.