tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47217874071750202142024-02-07T17:10:32.791+12:00Laotian WeddingTravels to SE Asia to celebrate with Bianca and Michael. O great! That gives me plenty of time to investigate, to find my own favourite places in South East Asia as well as spend time with BandM and of course celebrate their wedding.Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-77327401879268305072014-11-03T10:00:00.000+12:002014-11-03T10:00:21.715+12:00.......and now it's over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After a few hours spent at the Auckland Koru Lounge I get on my final flight home. My awesome friend Sue was waiting for me when I arrived and took me home, left me with my car and everything I needed for my cheese on toast. I felt better already.</div>
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And so my trip is over. Now I have many photos and many memories to sift through and many pages of blog to update, add some emotion and decent descriptions and then, as with my other trips, put them into a book. In due course. For the time being all I can do is focus on the bits I will remember.<br />
Although there were many stuff ups there were also some amazing good bits and hoping that they will be the ones that I remember the most<br />
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<b><b>Best City: HoChiMinh City</b></b></div>
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<b>I loved the smiling people. I loved the food. I loved the contrasts. I loved the green. I loved the boulevards</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: start;">The Best Pho - HCMC </b></div>
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<b>The best ancient ruins: Ta Prohm and Bantay Srei. </b></div>
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<b>Both so different and both so gorgeous.</b></div>
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<b>The best mountain scenic walk: Bangkok</b></div>
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<b>The path up to Golden Mount</b></div>
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<b>The best religious experiences</b></div>
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<b>The memorial celebration for Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara</b></div>
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<b>That Luang festivities at Si Mueng and That Luang temples</b></div>
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The haunting mist hanging over the Kaarsts in Vang Vieng - the most scenic experience<br />
Weaving and batik work at Ock Tok Pop in Luang prabang - the best craft experience<br />
The staff at Ock Tok Pop - the friendliest funniest staff<br />
The Tamarind cooking class in Luang prabang - the best food experience<br />
The morning food market in Luang Prabang - the best market<br />
Le banneton - croissants and apple pies to die for - the best french pastry<br />
The Kamu Lodge Experience - the best "people" experience and the best rural experience<br />
BeerLao - the best drink<br />
Naked Espresso, Vientiane - the best coffee<br />
Hanoi Old Quarter - the maddest place, but far from the reality of the rest of the serene city<br />
Kid on the street corner in Hanoi - the craziest kid<br />
Koto Restaurant - the best restaurant meal<br />
The corner food place in Hanois Old corner - the best Hanoi street food<br />
Hoan Kiem Lake Christmas Eve walk round the lake - the best local celebration<br />
Shoes for Sapa - the one and only charitable experience and the best thing about Sapa<br />
HoiAn's beef stuffed betel leaf meal - the best casual street food<br />
HoiAn's lanterns - the prettiest place<br />
The "wedding" - the most beautiful occasion<br />
Setting off floating lanterns at the "wedding" - the most surreal experience<br />
The Alms procession in Luang Prabang. Should not be in this section but such a joke it has to be mentioned - The biggest joke<br />
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Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-75830782385904158672014-01-18T20:27:00.001+12:002014-01-18T20:30:24.530+12:00Headed home<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The hotel cabby (mini van) collects me at 7:15am for the 5 minute drive to the bus station, 200 baht or $6.00, cheap enough, but expensive when my bus ticket costs 140 baht. The lady at the ticket counter tells me to wait and she will call me for the bus. I wait.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nature calls and I go to the loo, pay my 3baht to use the loo. No paper, typical. So I ask for paper. None but he wil sell me a packet of tissues for 7baht. Sorry buddy, not this kiddo. I carry my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A bus eventually arrives at the Phuket layby. I suspect it wasn't really the bus I was supposed to be going on as none of the other tourists were getting on board. I was the only one. As far as a bus goes it was pretty basic. But I didn't care. I was going home. There were plenty of seats so I made myself as comfortable as I could. Seats were hard and a spring clean would have helped dramatically. The bus goes to move off slowly. The driver struggles to close his door, surely he's not going to drive like that. Or are we going to be stuck here. I cant believe how negative I have become. Of course we aren't going to be stuck here, because today I am going home and I have a connection to catch. woohoo! He eventually closes the door and we are away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is quiet on he bus. Most people dozing. I am looking at the scenery. The kaarsts tower over everything and are stunning. Silence is broken by the loud and raucous sound of a cell phone. Owner is the conductor, a rather straggly grumpy looking lady. She lets it ring for ages and then screams a "hello" into it. This goes every 5 minutes or so, each time she lets it ring and ring. Urg!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">An overwhelming stench takes over the bus. I nearly vomit. Some wee kid had gone no 2s. He couldn't help it but his mom could have at least wrapped it quickly. Took ages and it wreaked. Just another smell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We stop regularly to pick up passengers until eventually the bus is full. We also stop on a regular basis to collect freight and at one stage I sit and watch as they load bags of stuff. Big bags, heavy bags, white bags with what would appear to be roundish hard things in them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We drive on and soon come to a shellfish roadside stall. Some of the bags are unloaded. Fresh produce!! No way that what has been in the bus is going to now be put on a road side stall, in the heat, and be sold!!!? And yet that is exactly what is going to happen. I witnessed another delivery further down the track and when I eventually went to get my bag out I noticed that the hold was wet and it stunk of fish. Just my luck that my bag was sitting in it and another suitcase will get dumped. The smell didn't follow me as I walked away so think I am safe. Thanks, Tom and Eve the bag has been awesome, and will keep going for many trips yet as long as I keep away from cats and shellfish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All along the way I see rubbish, randomly strewn everywhere. What a shame as it really could be quite pretty. I think back to all the things that just aren't quite right, little things, everywhere. Like in the hotel where I just stayed. Its quite new so no excuses. The shower rose fell off the first time I used it. I left it on the side of the bath. It was still there after the room had been serviced. Not moved an inch. The handrail had fallen off the bath, there were no towel rails or hooks, the jug leaked, the pillow cases had little holes in them and my towel was darned! It was a cheap place by our standards but not by Thai standards. And that was one of the better places.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We soon arrive at the Phuket no 2 bus station. Nothing remarkable or unremarkable. It just is. A taxi whisks me off in the direction the bus has just come from and soon has me at Phuket International Airport. I cant check in as I am too early so I go to my new regular, Mr Burger King. No Asian food to be seen once again. Fed and eventually checked in I go through immigration and yay I am airside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Indescribable is the only way I can describe the mayhem going on. The duty free shop has been taken over by what can only be a massive tour group. All pushing, shoving, snatching and screaming. Even if anyone else had wanted to go into the store they wouldn't have been able to. No room and real danger of being savaged or trampled by animals. Total mayhem. Unbelievable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I go to cash in my baht. No money exchange. Bugger. So I buy books and a few bits and pieces for the kids and figure I will try the rest in Singapore. No point in wasting it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My flight to Singapore must have been OK. I slept for most of it and woke up to not enjoy a horrible fish meal. But never mind, I am going home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Singapore I have never been so happy to see you. As much as I normally hate your sterility, today you are a clean, orderly and wonderful,place where I manage to get some Thai Fish Cakes. Not the best but I have been hanging out for them for ages and haven't found any on any menu. Changi you done me well. I had managed to change the baht and that paid for dinner. At least it wasn't wasted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And so I am on my way, flying as I write. I have calmed down considerably and think I will just go straight home and have my cheese on toast before checking everyone out tomorrow. Bring it on..</span>..</div>
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Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-2607406794716796552014-01-14T03:11:00.001+12:002014-01-18T20:27:19.768+12:00Yet another mix upI am met at my lovely guest house at 9:00am as planned by the volunteer coordinator Mui. A lovely lady with a gorgeous smile and sparkling eyes.<div><br></div><div>We drive to the pier and catch a long boat to Koh Klang, a 10 minute ride along the river. On one side mangroves, green as green, on some other island. On the other side we have Koh (meaning island) Klang. Signs of a village with stilt houses perched over the river and people milling around. We arrive at our stop and haul ourselves over the front of the long boat onto the pier. Walking a short way through the village, a few shops on the way and quite a few people, we arrive at a lovley looking school. About 8 classrooms, a lovely playground with some stone animals that are rather worse for wear and a pile of spotlessly dressed kids. It is break time 9:15am so they are playing and like all children full of the joys of spring, some of the girls in veils, some not, but all the white blouses were pristine white, ironed and gorgeous. How do they do it when they live in the homes they do, under the circumstances they do? Our kids are not so well dressed and so clean. But maybe our kids arent as hungry for an education. The school is a primary school but has a kindergarten attached. I didn't see the wee ones.</div><div><br></div><div>Mui introduces me to the deputy principal. We wai. They have a great conversation and many wrinkled brows along the way. When the woman leaves Mui explains........... <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On the 16th is teacher only day. So no teaching. No problem a day to explore.</span></div><div><br></div><div>And on the 27th they are being assessed by the Ministry so don't have time to have a volunteer there over the next two weeks. Can I change my program and come back another time? The answer a resounding no! Mui explains that they arel upset that they cannot have me there teaching and feelas though they have let me down, feeling bad about it. Here we go again! I explain that, no I cant just change everything like that especially now that I am already here and have paid for everything. My hotels are all non refundable (the norm down here) so I am, like it or not, here for two weeks. Had it been a nicer, less smelly place with things to do I might have flagged it and just hung out but cant do that. The only thing to do is to take trips, with a squillion other tourists to the islands, one maybe yes, but everyday no way.</div><div><br></div><div>So we settle on me coming to the school each day (except the 16th) and doing whatever they want. I will not teach, but I have said I will just hang out there and maybe visit on the island. Nothing like I wanted, nothing like I have spent a large amount of money on but I have to make the most of a bad situation. The island is very pretty so I might just hang out with the locals, keep out of the city, and rest up. I am not at all happy with the outcome but have limited options and will word a nice wee email to the General Manager of the volunteer organisation when I get to my room. I'm not sure where the stuff up has occurred but surely someone confirmed with the school and told them I was coming? Hello! </div><div><br></div><div>We return to Krabi on a longboat and I go for a wander, settle in to the institutional Marks and May and salivate over the thought of toasted sour dough bread ( they are the only place in SE Asia that makes it) for breakfast. Oh no we dont have any sour dough! I am told. Bugger, so I settle on pad thai and an espresso. The pad thai is more tofu than anything else, the noodles are stuck together and overcooked, it is cold and it <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">has no taste whatsoever. Serves me right for coming to a place that caters just to tourists. Their menu includes dishes from all over the world, the recipes given to them by their tourist customers but also included a thai section. I am the only one here eating local food... Says it all.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The lousy food didn't help my demeanour at all. I walk through the smelly streets </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">taking in the sights. Weirdest traffic lights I have ever seen. They are the major tourist attraction of the city. Says it all.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGL_02qhyprEz-O-PcCR1MuUCKZr0NRMMD-xqzoMvuYwoIsnzWR_3ee2BntkzMkFSu4ToJBHEAmo0G-lTBdN3M_jojeWIbplrJm2KkepMbWXd6Zq7DPBu7kJnE6BNrOTyZFd_iw5FsUs/s640/blogger-image-1997143263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGL_02qhyprEz-O-PcCR1MuUCKZr0NRMMD-xqzoMvuYwoIsnzWR_3ee2BntkzMkFSu4ToJBHEAmo0G-lTBdN3M_jojeWIbplrJm2KkepMbWXd6Zq7DPBu7kJnE6BNrOTyZFd_iw5FsUs/s640/blogger-image-1997143263.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSXu-g6PsGsqx9pd_EKnQ0UWjbFgpifEmL5rbj_Gj5zvDg70uPcPYUPESibt_i4jK2sbDX1TRgtl2fLHA3wcBpwDS_InYMxsF5MOwA_lkWq2X5VYiolqz4fKNdX-Siylrct6iaVNSwHQ/s640/blogger-image-1177396560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSXu-g6PsGsqx9pd_EKnQ0UWjbFgpifEmL5rbj_Gj5zvDg70uPcPYUPESibt_i4jK2sbDX1TRgtl2fLHA3wcBpwDS_InYMxsF5MOwA_lkWq2X5VYiolqz4fKNdX-Siylrct6iaVNSwHQ/s640/blogger-image-1177396560.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I get to the hotel and there I lose the plot. Just one more thing that makes me want to get the hell away from here. I think about staying on. Yes I would like to hang out on the island, maybe for a day. Then what! I look for flights home. Nothing works with connections to Krabi. Each stumble makes me more upset.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I ring my insurers tell them I need to get out before they have to rescue me from a nut house. They give me some ideas, none of which are covered under the policy but it helped me sort out my brain. I cancel all hotels. Irrespective of whether I manage to leave I do not want to be in Krabi or AoNang. I would rather be in Bangkok and that's saying something. Bangkok is closed down with the protests so I could only go there to transit. I look at flying to Cambodia, might as well see more there while I am in the region. I do the sums and it works out better if I just cut my losses now and go home. And so I spend the afternoon checking out flights. I can't get from Krabi to Bangkok in time to make any of the connections an din any case therevare no Thai air flights available prior to my exitsing booking on the 25th and go into a flap. I call the insurance lady again. She calms me down and suggests I try gettig a fly from Phuket. Bingo. A relatively good price with my favourite airline, SingaporeAir, and going through Singapore. Yay. Phuket is only a few hours ago so I checked the bus timing an dall organised. I leave for home tomorrow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I go into the township for dinner. Sit at a wee western style restaurant and have another tasteless Penang with rice. On the way back I pass the night market along the riverside. Bugger, lots,of food stalls cooking lovley looking food as you order. Exactly what I should have had. It was too early when I walked past on my way to town. Oh well. Another dissappointment in a long line of them. </font></div><div><br></div><div>On the way home I have to walk past the smelly bits. With shawl over my nose I pass, gingerly, but not before I have taken pics of the elephants and the hand. The hand, from what I understand will form part of the worlds biggest Avatokitesvara Bodhisattva Guan Yin 84 metre high statue. Guan Yin is the </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bodhisattva of mercy and loving kindness. They advertise that anyone who pays homage will be protected from all kinds of danger and alongside the hand are people lined up to take your donation!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-TbQhZiWDHAyvkoUIVZOVQ7jC_VRjiSedTZnr3ZVD5VAIQl6e4BATDYK1NGfnmCybDnU6qkhqNhnlGUQ7443WNmIPF6awnKMbgRG5ukCgl3z-V9RCPXi_FzfG-9qtPbVgYtUZlX0OuI/s640/blogger-image-397545073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-TbQhZiWDHAyvkoUIVZOVQ7jC_VRjiSedTZnr3ZVD5VAIQl6e4BATDYK1NGfnmCybDnU6qkhqNhnlGUQ7443WNmIPF6awnKMbgRG5ukCgl3z-V9RCPXi_FzfG-9qtPbVgYtUZlX0OuI/s640/blogger-image-397545073.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not sure where the elephants come into it but they look pretty, as does the Shrine of the <u>Secred</u> Pillar just nearby.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8QTXWR39VdOqcs50dRuHSfV0FpddcTHY9eZgIDrGnLCqK32CbNhtp1lG47qqLjq_ksZO3Sno4wqSO9VBHxWyKJpJRWtZwA2NVIdQbOuGoM4QxWjzOBR2XWF8K1aPHWf5K8CLMTNcjj4/s640/blogger-image-329676923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8QTXWR39VdOqcs50dRuHSfV0FpddcTHY9eZgIDrGnLCqK32CbNhtp1lG47qqLjq_ksZO3Sno4wqSO9VBHxWyKJpJRWtZwA2NVIdQbOuGoM4QxWjzOBR2XWF8K1aPHWf5K8CLMTNcjj4/s640/blogger-image-329676923.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0uB4KQCrs3BCLvyPpXAhaW0ydFzujTG1pGzsLA5RoctDiYUZq7m4WDdUQiWF9VCAoaxABu0rOqXkWLRYTyNPCUKkVtkzISeckvPhgcUFBB27Z2ScIgRxvYqsYzX6PRkQrcZvX9Vjw3w/s640/blogger-image--1797673106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0uB4KQCrs3BCLvyPpXAhaW0ydFzujTG1pGzsLA5RoctDiYUZq7m4WDdUQiWF9VCAoaxABu0rOqXkWLRYTyNPCUKkVtkzISeckvPhgcUFBB27Z2ScIgRxvYqsYzX6PRkQrcZvX9Vjw3w/s640/blogger-image--1797673106.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCuplYwQ3BSBmABny5XSaYDyIKyD9EpWNin-GdWFYdF7sfrlmMj6aPyTAKFsaIb2Wdgmabu7fUwoe3eYvZMfMN_Eh_VtvuIlSbMh4IMBd4Nl8xjG_BQcDsDDAYeEoZPtGVskTyia9U4Q/s640/blogger-image--434081331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCuplYwQ3BSBmABny5XSaYDyIKyD9EpWNin-GdWFYdF7sfrlmMj6aPyTAKFsaIb2Wdgmabu7fUwoe3eYvZMfMN_Eh_VtvuIlSbMh4IMBd4Nl8xjG_BQcDsDDAYeEoZPtGVskTyia9U4Q/s640/blogger-image--434081331.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Krabi, you smell, are ugly and the few meals I have had here have been pretty awful. The few people that I have had dealings with have been lovely, and that is the only nice thing I can say about you.</div></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-21803171307452980762014-01-12T17:41:00.001+12:002014-01-13T02:09:34.519+12:00ContrastsI sleep well, the sewer smell locked in the bathroom escaping and hitting me in the face as I open the door. Ugh<div><br></div><div>The night was calm, the silence broken only by the crowd that had, this afternoon, been at the pool. They are staying in a resort advertised as being alcohol free, run by moslems, and so they go out, get pissed and come home singing in a drunken stupor. Sickening. </div><div><br></div><div>I get over the toilet smell and head to breakfast. Ordinary and barely edible but they do have a toaster with rye bread. Good for me. By the time I am finished it is nearly time for checkout so I pack, check out and settle by the pool. Yay its lunchtime so few people here. All of us under umbrellas in the shade, even though the sun here is not as harsh as we are used to, it is too hot in the sun. A few are reading and others, the same ones as yesterday, playing on their phones. Funny how life has changed.</div><div><br></div><div>A gentle breeze blows across the pool and the kaarsts rise in the background. The smell is not noticeable here and the gentle sound of the water jets is the only thing that breaks the silence. Heavenly.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAjEjxoA6gDUezcJtDHDZrGfzNCuQT874BDoe5fKD8U0Ax9mf4hIxBkrbwjX8WB_Vjq3YylsPIcAeuWGIiJjh6wzKqOocw7GcZAd9NUeUUKB-fCcKF-ifnSsserp2PXz_M6BG_kpRlxo/s640/blogger-image--1211853561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAjEjxoA6gDUezcJtDHDZrGfzNCuQT874BDoe5fKD8U0Ax9mf4hIxBkrbwjX8WB_Vjq3YylsPIcAeuWGIiJjh6wzKqOocw7GcZAd9NUeUUKB-fCcKF-ifnSsserp2PXz_M6BG_kpRlxo/s640/blogger-image--1211853561.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>My time is up and I go use the shower, check out the spa for my next visit and set off in a cab for Krabi. A shuttle would have been cheaper if I wanted to mess around waiting and then get dropped in the city. Not really.</div><div><br></div><div>The scenery on the drive in is lovely. We pass through some pretty villages, all dominated by the sky reaching limestone. Dramatic and gorgeous. </div><div><br></div><div>We arrive in Krabi. It looks pretty, wide tree centered streets, the river travelling along the side. My hotel is easy to find, just a wee way from the river and away from the central city, a newish place and lovely and clean. My room is on level 4, without a lift, a wee hike but made up for by the view over the trees from my lovley room, deck and even from the bathroom. The reception ladies are lovely.</div><div><br></div><div>I settle in and take off for a walk. Get 10 minutes down the road and realise I have forgotten the camera. As I walk I am overwhelmed by smells. The same toilet smells of AoNang. Makes me want to vomit. I have to walk past the same patch on the way back so have to find an alternative road to town. Back at the hotel I decide to wait for the shuttle and take advantage of the free ride to the city. Going past the smelly patch I cover my face with my scarf. Ugh the smell still gets through.</div><div><br></div><div>The shuttle drops us near the weekend night market. I go for a wander. Not knowing what it was all about I didn't know what to expect, but eventually found something resembling what we call Thai Fish Cakes. Just tiny ones and yummy. Not quite chewy like the ones they make at home and don't think they have red curry paste in them but still good. Other than food there was boring clothing, shoes and stuff. A few street performers are getting ready to perform, but I can't be bothered waiting to watch. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OVh3tmzpCF8hec-7C6V9ug2tRObr1dM0ESOmAJu2Qaak6fRxVPC8yQldkCZGaW9Vl-S0iKmmcTCXeLQ7GIvIbWtHALRdkcw9zWGCBcwGGEQVAmJVBXOzctn9mWFEhUdradXYAAcwC6I/s640/blogger-image--364966315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OVh3tmzpCF8hec-7C6V9ug2tRObr1dM0ESOmAJu2Qaak6fRxVPC8yQldkCZGaW9Vl-S0iKmmcTCXeLQ7GIvIbWtHALRdkcw9zWGCBcwGGEQVAmJVBXOzctn9mWFEhUdradXYAAcwC6I/s640/blogger-image--364966315.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I walk for a bit as far as the river in case I find a restaurant. A couple of pubs but thats it. The scenery though was sublime. Must be superb in good light.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3_kjTMZBav6CH38UnYBAc7ssbh2n4uc-gztTpaVjvfOxspjcYTV-8H0Ukek2VHLg1nAVwMgA9DUhrym8RjE-457JXYhIjNxc29Ulbf-lwGG3xLeuN6etk-ULFBJE_GcQVGmoPeWvKMk/s640/blogger-image--1414565954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3_kjTMZBav6CH38UnYBAc7ssbh2n4uc-gztTpaVjvfOxspjcYTV-8H0Ukek2VHLg1nAVwMgA9DUhrym8RjE-457JXYhIjNxc29Ulbf-lwGG3xLeuN6etk-ULFBJE_GcQVGmoPeWvKMk/s640/blogger-image--1414565954.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>I wander on and go check out the other market which was all food. Bought some of the yummy peanut biscuits but most of the food was prepared and sitting in Bain maries. I don't do pre-prepared food, even at home, so that rules most of it out. I see a couple of restaurants on the street but the smell is so putrid I keep walking. Out of all the places I have been AoNang and Krabi are the only places that have smelled to me, a putrid sweet rotten sewer smell. Ugh. Don't know if I can cope with it.</div><div><br></div><div>I return to the department store (more like a Mall) and see a KFC. I am not a KFC fan but was hungry and need to sit and eat. Zinger burger, fries and pepsi. Fries were gross, zinger was barely edible and pepsi was, well Pepsi. I was hungry and thristy and finished as much as I could but must check out places to eat that are not market stalls or chain restaurants. A Swensens finished it off. That was the best thing I had eaten in days.</div><div><br></div><div>I wait on the street, trying to avoid the smells, for the shuttle to return. I watch the people. Few Western tourists and most sound like Russians. Many Asian tourists, of course I don't know their nationality but many appear to speak Thai comfortably. Some don't know any more than me. Interesting that there are many Middle Eastern looking people wearing regular clothing, but equally many in Moslem scarves etc. The hindu women are dressed beautifully (regular clothing or punjabis) and heavily made up. The Thai women in jeans, t shirts and jandals looking quite hard, in contrast to the lovley Thai ladies in the hotel.</div><div><br></div><div>The shuttle is late but eventually arrives. It has seating for 12. Some of get in and sit, our knees touch the knees of the people sitting opposite us. Another 8 are pushed on trying to wedge their legs in between the knees of those sitting. But, having passed the patch of stench, we arrive at the hotel. The shuttle is shared with the hotel down the road, where I will be staying next week, and runs about 5 inwards trips between 5 and 8pm, but only does two outwards trips which is why there were so many wanting a ride. Next time I will walk back.</div><div><br></div><div>I hang out in my room, watch TV, updates blogs and call it a night, wondering what my first day teaching will bring. </div><div><br></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-82962686211415052732014-01-11T04:32:00.001+12:002014-01-12T02:12:46.800+12:00Back to ThailandIm not sure why, whether its the planes, the atmosphere or god awful pilots but every landing, and all have been in perfect weather, I have experienced here has been like the ones we have in Wellingotn when a hurricane is in action. My journey from Luang Prabang to Bangkok was no different.<div><br></div><div>Transiting in Bangkok was different. Three different lots of queues, but no big dramas. Wifi needs a password but no one tells you that you have to go to an information desk to get it. Note to self. Remember for next time. Consequently I bitch and moan to myself about the lack of connection. Oh well, nothing new.</div><div><br></div><div>My flight to Krabi was in a virtually empty plane which again bounced all over the runway on landing, just like the others. This plane was also clunky and sounded as though bits were falling off all over the show. We arrived and so did my bag, so all good. No issues about not having had bag cleared in Bangkok. They dont care.</div><div><br></div><div>With bag in tow I go straight to the arrivals hall <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">where I see signs for taxis, shuttles and tuktuk. The shuttle was 150baht, the taxi 600. I ask when the shuttle leaves and am told 10 minutes. That's me so I pay and go to wait. The 10 minutes passes and I am the only one in the queue. Everyone else is being collected by their hotel. I didn't even think about it, so used as I am, to making my own way. I ask nicely when the shuttle will be coming. 5 minutes I am told. I wait. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">10 minutes are up and I ask "what time is the shuttle coming" pointing to my watch. He tells me shuttle on stand by... Yes but what time will it be coming. The conversation continues along these lines for a while and he refuses to answer. I ask if he understands the question and point at my watch. Long and short of it is that I go back to the counter and without question they give me my money back. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And they tell us westerners that we should not get angry with the locals as they take offence. Hello who was the rude and angry one.... </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Half an hour later and I pay the 600 baht and a very nice cabbie comes along and takes me to the door of my hotel at Aonang Beach... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The AoNang PhiPi Maan resort is lovely. Two lovley muslim ladies welcome me and get me settled. A lovely </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">big room, double doors onto my own private deck, super bathroom that smells of sewerage but I figure that it will pass and I am not changing rooms. The smell doesn't go away but the room is so nice and quiet I am not going anywhere. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After a quick walk through the town, I grab some supplies, buy an ice cream and return to my room. Quite perplexed by this place. I had not expected it to be as touristy as it was. It is exactly the sort of place I hate and have sworn I would never come to and now I know why. Lots of restaurants, mainly multi ethnic, few street food stalls, maccers, subway and 711's. The streets edged with sleazy guys wanting to take me places in a sleazy looking tuk tuk, and sleazy dirty looking women who want to give me a massage in some sleazy looking room. Not for me, and in comparison to other places, not particularly cheap either. If it were not for the over abundance of power lines, broken pavements and the litter I could mistake it for a Westerrn sleazy resort. Nothing Asian about it other than the tuk tuk and the masseurs. Maybe it will look better by day...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The rest of the evening was spent lolling, catching up on blogs, emails and stuff. I had a glorious sleep in my super king, comfortable bed that also came with fluffy duvet and skinny soft pillows and woke this morning feeling human, almost.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I mess around the room for a while then venture into town. Its only a short walk and I enjoyed the exercise, but this further confirmed that I do not like the place. By day it is just as sleazy except now you can see the litter everywhere, the crumbling pavements and the dirt in many of the shops. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mrKz10pQPQM8k_VneQHrG-iGanEKH5Pkr4jDHAZ25PdONE7NFwnKM4LUsETPAdoBcoIEUVauZzE5E08cVH2NB7xuEXxR_nLzTzTZ6AmNF-4hpxHF-DN-CafVrzTKio1BXyjZECNZPDs/s640/blogger-image--1537184802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mrKz10pQPQM8k_VneQHrG-iGanEKH5Pkr4jDHAZ25PdONE7NFwnKM4LUsETPAdoBcoIEUVauZzE5E08cVH2NB7xuEXxR_nLzTzTZ6AmNF-4hpxHF-DN-CafVrzTKio1BXyjZECNZPDs/s640/blogger-image--1537184802.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">You can also see the tourists walking through town (a considerable distance from the beach) in swin wear and no cover ups. Women in bikinis, ugly, overweight and hairy men walking through town with shorts and no top. Sorry mate, even your wife shouldn't have to see that. Ugly and gross. At least the women in bikinis are generally young and with good figures. An over abundance of over weight, loud Russians seem to dominate.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The sewer smell is everywhere and at times makes me gag. The heat has made it more pronounced and I want to get away from it. Totally gross.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I walk along the beach. By our standards pretty grotty, but I suppose if you dont have beaches at home it could, with a pinch, be appealing. Long boats line the best parts of the beach making for an ugly display. At least they ahvent started to charge poeple to access the beaxh and that is a plus. The area along the beach front is not as sleazy as the main street and almost bearable with a few nice looking restaurants, but still not somewhere I would want to hang out. Something about it reminds me of the town of Port Douglas, which I didn't like much either.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The limestone kaarsts in the distance are magnificent and remind me of Vang Vieng. I can see why people come this way to climb and can imagine it must be awesome.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqqLTgYi5pWjqLnf9hsDTyWstes-UMhmVL7b7elTaDvLR2u_Dlfa7s2cRu4dKke6-darvpy63QNhjY3vu9q9GjBqFbrm3lOmDvhezDYL65fspWDa6GXj2BoAgVqnuU6XlRt8MexIJMwo/s640/blogger-image-414156325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqqLTgYi5pWjqLnf9hsDTyWstes-UMhmVL7b7elTaDvLR2u_Dlfa7s2cRu4dKke6-darvpy63QNhjY3vu9q9GjBqFbrm3lOmDvhezDYL65fspWDa6GXj2BoAgVqnuU6XlRt8MexIJMwo/s640/blogger-image-414156325.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsQmTXIsdDqv7CzOiBmtl5bSDs6KVYzt3OTN2GqBwnW2KGzwZkkCS0tfXVyG4bFyegt_YIbUGkrX5NtEBSmw9Ecm-DOBAxg84Qm3TazTqXdbfuN0zo5JcMlh_kSOiy9wIj8Ll16uRBik/s640/blogger-image--911686955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsQmTXIsdDqv7CzOiBmtl5bSDs6KVYzt3OTN2GqBwnW2KGzwZkkCS0tfXVyG4bFyegt_YIbUGkrX5NtEBSmw9Ecm-DOBAxg84Qm3TazTqXdbfuN0zo5JcMlh_kSOiy9wIj8Ll16uRBik/s640/blogger-image--911686955.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Returning to the hotel I stop at Maccers. A pork something or other is my choice. The set for around $10. Not only is the pork something or other tiny, it is greasy and tastes gross. Fries are fries and watered down coke is just that. Serves me right.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">My afternoon was spent relaxing round the pool, quite small but plenty large enough... to start with.. with great jets along ghe side so you can get a water massage. Yes. My deck chair set up I alternatebetween lounging in the chair, reading and a dip. Just what I came from. There were about 10 people round the pool, all quietly relaxing....</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Until a couple of Russian adult males came along and started playing ball, in the water, along the entire side of the pool. As they played they talked, loudly all the way down the pool. Needless to say the pool and the surrpunding area emptied very fast. I came back to my room, carried on reading until sleep took over. It was a lovely few hours until the dicks wrecked it for everyone.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Tonight I wandered up to the walking</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> street market. Waste of a walk. Plenty of junk and a few street food stalls which were interesting. Thai, muslim, chinese and indian all side by side. The quiet peacefullness of the Muslim people is a stark contrast to the loud nasaly Thai speaking people and then come along the smiling, heavily accented Indians. Interesting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From there I walked through town before settling in a touristy sort of place for dinner. A tasteless Penang curry with rice. $6 including a drink so I shouldn't complain, but it was pretty bland and very little chicken, lots of juice that seemed to have the peanuts (the main ingredient of the penang curry) missing. Oh well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I pass the occasional glimpse of prettiness on my way back, few and far between. The brochures tell me that the only things I can do involve water trips - not happening. So that just leaves the town which appears to be devoid of anything of interest.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1LQ3OMrH_zuBvXXv1TnG0QFFdf3wnth9D_Rpx7ltfeuy3N_Dpb4VX_-3sG0Zwf-_yJvyYYQjkp3kwX8Zou-2ASxvi5EVxyQ2f3ATQKLN1QSskb9NJeLtQsQevdqgKfh4PWyPwJdLnSo/s640/blogger-image--1391285065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1LQ3OMrH_zuBvXXv1TnG0QFFdf3wnth9D_Rpx7ltfeuy3N_Dpb4VX_-3sG0Zwf-_yJvyYYQjkp3kwX8Zou-2ASxvi5EVxyQ2f3ATQKLN1QSskb9NJeLtQsQevdqgKfh4PWyPwJdLnSo/s640/blogger-image--1391285065.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehGVJuTtdpfQJ7hf9sbLKS2tXL9BZL1U_tRCOMNCNRVTbwPUxOh2crLhD9fBmrHF3P9cgNrr4K-38-d3EwV3EjPauWWaMFrdW9Pokg7nIzC77r5xlsnMgOIallIf4gP7e0G-3DGDOf5Y/s640/blogger-image-1314268592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehGVJuTtdpfQJ7hf9sbLKS2tXL9BZL1U_tRCOMNCNRVTbwPUxOh2crLhD9fBmrHF3P9cgNrr4K-38-d3EwV3EjPauWWaMFrdW9Pokg7nIzC77r5xlsnMgOIallIf4gP7e0G-3DGDOf5Y/s640/blogger-image-1314268592.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANDzkq9XvFvtMCVVIjT_qwpv1qsUjYEbufWF63Gm8Jf3O3B25GwQ4BEFrI9FtCjaNCTqsdj5xIJJ3iUul3Kph095akBQ3cOs3xNaSP2Q6x6Q5Ut0UJcdk4o21DhMMkZ__t3dNDbjjD2E/s640/blogger-image--1469479885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANDzkq9XvFvtMCVVIjT_qwpv1qsUjYEbufWF63Gm8Jf3O3B25GwQ4BEFrI9FtCjaNCTqsdj5xIJJ3iUul3Kph095akBQ3cOs3xNaSP2Q6x6Q5Ut0UJcdk4o21DhMMkZ__t3dNDbjjD2E/s640/blogger-image--1469479885.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Back to my room, back to bed and goodnight from AoNang. Can't wait to leave tomorrow. I have booked another weekend here and cant cancel so have already decided that apart from going for a massage I will not be leaving the resort and will be asking for a different room. Not sure what I will do if I hate Krabi as well. I am stuck there during the week while teaching, so fingers crossed....</div><br></div><br></span></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-55582738486525025442014-01-11T04:28:00.001+12:002014-01-13T01:19:31.499+12:00Farewell LaosWell, long time no blog. It is now hard to remember what has happened over that time and even more difficult to write about it with any passion. <div><br></div><div>It has been a busy week starting with the performance to get one flight changed and another booked so I could get to Krabi. I was originally booked to go to Vientiane on the 10th, then on to Bangkok on the 12th and then straight to Krabi. I need to rest and since I don't need to dog sit DeeJai have decided to change my existing booking and fly direct Luang Prabang to Bangkok/Krabi on the 10th with 2 days doing what I swore I would never succumb to; sitting in a deck chair round a pool at a resort. As I write (at the airport on the 10th) I can't wait and am even looking forward to next weekend so I can do the same after my first week of teaching. Bring it on.<div><br></div><div>Changing the flights was easy, booking another just as easy but it meant I had to return the next day to collect the tickets (yes paper ticket -first in years). Paying for it not so easy. Nearly $500 but I had no other option. Bugger. Getting a refund for the ticket that the other airline cancelled on me proved to be harder and I think I can wave goodbye to that, but will not be giving up without a fight. I am already chasing a refund from another airline and have now threatened to go to the police if they don't give me my money.</div><div><br></div><div>That first night Matt, Amy and I tried to get into Makphet, the restaurant I really liked when I was here last. It was full so we settled on a little BBQ street food restaurant near the river. Pretty bad food thatdidn't warrant photos, but we did get to go to Makphet for lunch the next day. Bianca and Michael joined us and we all stuffed ourselves silly. But for whatever reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I had previously. Oh well. Saved some money as I no longer want to buy their book as I had originally planned.</div><div><br></div><div>The following day was the planned hens/bucks day/night. A planned bus/boat trip which was to be a few hours was now, we were told, virtually all day. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cuu1yIyG4t5Tf26AcPiiwzjRLpAyAt76vE0QzJzBYJzk1pVNUzGpfjwGvd1cOPS30ri4RQmk2aW_YOtMejbUACB0mvBiDyh-t3UtTgdQcBl6dobY9fqbJ-KY9KMqmdQI46YdxuidZGE/s640/blogger-image--426222289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cuu1yIyG4t5Tf26AcPiiwzjRLpAyAt76vE0QzJzBYJzk1pVNUzGpfjwGvd1cOPS30ri4RQmk2aW_YOtMejbUACB0mvBiDyh-t3UtTgdQcBl6dobY9fqbJ-KY9KMqmdQI46YdxuidZGE/s640/blogger-image--426222289.jpg"></a></div></div><div>I opt out and spend the day relaxing and eating. Food for the soul. That evening, with Amy, we go to meet Kylie and Jade who arrived late the night before, so we could all go to the hens dinner. I haven't seen either of them for months so it was great to see them again and catch up on their news. It was a lovely evening and I snuck off as some of the young ones left the restaurant to move to a bar. Enough for me, cocktails, strippers and late nights are not my thing.</div><div><br></div><div>I was glad to be leaving Vientiane the next day. When I very first arrived it was quaint, then I thought bland, then I thought confused not being asian and not being whatever else it thought it was, but by now I had decided that it was dusty, colourless, definitely not asian, full of rude ex pats who really didn't want to be there and didn't want to support local business or customs but turn it into a Western culture. Dislike definitely comes to mind.</div><div><br></div><div>Some of my things were still at Bianca's and the kids wanted to see where she lived so we all headed out there by cab, grabbed the stuff, said hello, and came back into the city to get ourselves organised to leave. Our departure and stay at the aiport were uneventful as was our arrival in Luang Prabang. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrXmV3j6GSrBFui4dlTtRg5vewA3ZCXL8OmBDnEx9bVfRZdUisJuYFx1RpQRU_-h6mBSkxHrl87zsLhuy_GKO0jam_5ZJzml1bYwcriITqJbpuuvVll4pkWbB1U8HiJ4N1c9xS3BCqr8/s640/blogger-image--1959036515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrXmV3j6GSrBFui4dlTtRg5vewA3ZCXL8OmBDnEx9bVfRZdUisJuYFx1RpQRU_-h6mBSkxHrl87zsLhuy_GKO0jam_5ZJzml1bYwcriITqJbpuuvVll4pkWbB1U8HiJ4N1c9xS3BCqr8/s640/blogger-image--1959036515.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaUpUtoS98dTI6Jjc3Owp8wT6FKzbbqfqTMYFlghntfihahgxN6Elp-d2Y_gxdxtrVwf1ZvWrLU_OvlcKJQraQxCJ1T9mUZ519MLpLWwQ2IrTLYBYDunjn23k0l4mjPem5j4U5VnjzNw/s640/blogger-image-1516526366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaUpUtoS98dTI6Jjc3Owp8wT6FKzbbqfqTMYFlghntfihahgxN6Elp-d2Y_gxdxtrVwf1ZvWrLU_OvlcKJQraQxCJ1T9mUZ519MLpLWwQ2IrTLYBYDunjn23k0l4mjPem5j4U5VnjzNw/s640/blogger-image-1516526366.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Matt, Amy, Kylie and Jade were staying separately from the rest of us so I stayed with them to get them settled in. A quick wander before dinner at Coconut Garden and then they left so I joined BandM and their friends. It was a lovely <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">night. Coconut Garden gave me a great op to take photos of the wee water feature where Jade found her fairies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjORZPVB9lUr05tkJcKRqSbOS0-vTS9EmEfcOR94Tw_hfSn7tUhLuSVf78AGaPB3CovMlDU7PV6t7v8obQEK_ZBN0Ez-WLPXEqV0ma0v-hcNpskHxBCI85sEsYGNBIiW9UN-R977drdWw/s640/blogger-image--924246936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjORZPVB9lUr05tkJcKRqSbOS0-vTS9EmEfcOR94Tw_hfSn7tUhLuSVf78AGaPB3CovMlDU7PV6t7v8obQEK_ZBN0Ez-WLPXEqV0ma0v-hcNpskHxBCI85sEsYGNBIiW9UN-R977drdWw/s640/blogger-image--924246936.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7FfwjXumeNGIDYNlAOFfSUGvnh0sbSecgftX6zyy1MZr_-xkYL2au84StQfcDjlFk-mcYU91fFo5PabV9iUpZVwDeMDGnqs7FidDCSQPjsScHmEcGtIL2k278WynZVHNO1MPpv1q2BI/s640/blogger-image--459889695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7FfwjXumeNGIDYNlAOFfSUGvnh0sbSecgftX6zyy1MZr_-xkYL2au84StQfcDjlFk-mcYU91fFo5PabV9iUpZVwDeMDGnqs7FidDCSQPjsScHmEcGtIL2k278WynZVHNO1MPpv1q2BI/s640/blogger-image--459889695.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uJajHaRPzpCLtrf2GVi2N_EljclmQlwRV4RyfjDrluY70hXaOUUiZZPDjX2HaX5Q_ClWDnORG4kP3MdlRLMjK6iJ-g8vmOpGEENuKc_ULlZrCfHTi6OoYlpTnhSyr51OwhLXaSWXYMY/s640/blogger-image-1674569136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uJajHaRPzpCLtrf2GVi2N_EljclmQlwRV4RyfjDrluY70hXaOUUiZZPDjX2HaX5Q_ClWDnORG4kP3MdlRLMjK6iJ-g8vmOpGEENuKc_ULlZrCfHTi6OoYlpTnhSyr51OwhLXaSWXYMY/s640/blogger-image-1674569136.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></span></div><div><div><br></div><div>Next day; the day before Bianca and Michael's "wedding". Well it wasnt really a wedding but a ceremony for them to publicly declare their lifelong commitment to each other. I was the officiant and obviously don't have the legal power to perform weddings in Lao. I was initially under the impression that the legal formalities would be done before the public ceremony. It turns out I had made an incorrect assumption and the real ceremony was not likely to happen before the wedding nor in the near future.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway a bevy of helpers arrived and everyone set about making bunting, preparing napkins and place names, writing stickers, making wall hangings, buying last minute things and generally getting the place sorted. Matt was quite unwell so was ordered back to his room but there were so many other helpers that despite the fact that no one knew what they were doing we had heaps of fun and laughs.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dYrVwSXrwLRjf5KMiUh7vzLfvPPfrvkK29StzFt9iMh0vDKUpfOhnoea7tfWp8ocS-b9V_3xhdc8qyJ0gffG_0_4OMeW7XreJt3bgFZ7ZnKpiEr7DLfdmVH0CEFrZcEwaelwfbRzGY4/s640/blogger-image-434317229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dYrVwSXrwLRjf5KMiUh7vzLfvPPfrvkK29StzFt9iMh0vDKUpfOhnoea7tfWp8ocS-b9V_3xhdc8qyJ0gffG_0_4OMeW7XreJt3bgFZ7ZnKpiEr7DLfdmVH0CEFrZcEwaelwfbRzGY4/s640/blogger-image-434317229.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I had now received the vows that both Michael and Bianca had written and was able to piece my words around what they had written taking care to include the bits that they particularly wanted from a traditional wedding but being careful with the terminology as I did not want to be the one to decieve the audience by letting them think that this was a "wedding".</div><div><br></div><div>That night we wandered down to a restaurant that I had seen out of the corner of my eye on my last visit and as it looked so nice I suggested we all go there as the pre venue. Amy, Jade and I went early as Kylie was in town with Bianca supposedly getting their nails done and Jade was hungry and needed an early night. Indeed the restaurant was nice with the most amazing river weed. Yum yum yum. Pretty soon the place filled up and soon many more "wedding" guests arrived and the place was overflowing. The setting absolutly gorgeous with the restaurant set on multiple levels stepping down the banks of the river. Each level split into multiple "rooms" and lit with lanterns. Where we sat we could see out to the river and the bamboo bridge which was strung with fairy lights glistening in the night and the light reflecting on the tranquil water below. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Just beautiful. </span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI0i5FbOxX3Be6gQC044gAitu61qYAvKnB7FTjZjOjqV75UTIEuffYR6NFuQpRNY7a6_ltYOfuzL9Xbj37kSk55eYqPjLMpgp_WbMoaGURU4lHCMhxCwIIMsVijVeWHdF4W44-qrcoos/s640/blogger-image--982704476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI0i5FbOxX3Be6gQC044gAitu61qYAvKnB7FTjZjOjqV75UTIEuffYR6NFuQpRNY7a6_ltYOfuzL9Xbj37kSk55eYqPjLMpgp_WbMoaGURU4lHCMhxCwIIMsVijVeWHdF4W44-qrcoos/s640/blogger-image--982704476.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFdjbgvr8j0w2l2lRXjZHiu_j4WEmXtzigi4ihbqc9f_aqseIVUuNQMTIXApin4ZUHIMngqONxNbT1jQPZuepboVg_WqblrEJQoXJ9LaFWas54AvOmMF8t_KZFMFcGAy0YRASJUa-P8c/s640/blogger-image--1484732881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFdjbgvr8j0w2l2lRXjZHiu_j4WEmXtzigi4ihbqc9f_aqseIVUuNQMTIXApin4ZUHIMngqONxNbT1jQPZuepboVg_WqblrEJQoXJ9LaFWas54AvOmMF8t_KZFMFcGAy0YRASJUa-P8c/s640/blogger-image--1484732881.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And so to the big day. It dawns as the most glorious day. We had all come armed with winter woolies ready for the possible cold temperatures. We discarded the woolies on day one, but today was turning into a scorcher and we were hoping it would cool down.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Everyone was right into it. "Bridal" party doing as they should, relaxing and leaving it to everyone else. Chaos prevailed but eventually, cutting it very fine, everything that could be done, was done. Some things left in Vientiane so couldn't be done or replicated but obviously they didn't matter. My first chance to sit down came late in the day and then I planned to finalise the service with the intention of emailing it from my crude version on my ipad to a pc where I could pdf it and send it back to myself to be used as a flip page version on the ipad. Technology being as it is and murphys law intervening the document left my ipad headed for both Michael's and my email addresses and never arrived at either. The line dropped out, the emails went but never arrived, neither outgoing, sent, drafts or in box...... Gone off the face of the earth. As they say in NZ,......bugger.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Fortunately I still had the vows and song words so was able to get them up for the others to read but. I had lost my carefully written words. Oh well. I knew the order of the ceremony and we had done a quick run through yesterday so we can just wing it. I say.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Pre drinks on the lawn with Pims and beerLao. Perfect. That over everyone moves along the garden to the area where the ceremony will be held. We line ourselves up and wait. The guys looking stunning, navy suits with navy/white shirts, with the exception of the one who forgot to bring his jacket and tie. There is always one! Soon we hear the wedding song and Jade leads the way, looking gorgeous in taupe spotted tuille, her silver shoes glistening in the hot sunlight. Kylie comes into view, beautiful navy with a lace top. She looks stunning as do Allanah, in black and white spots, and Stacey in a sheath of navy, teal and green floral. The girls each carry a small clutch beautifully co-ordinated with their chosen</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> dress.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We then get a glimpse of Bianca, WOW. I'm sure I see a tear in Michaels eye. Her ivory heavy cotton lace 1970's dress is probably the most travelled dress ever, but looks stunning. Sheath with a cap sleeve and low low back, her hairpiece of flocked net held into place by a flower on each side complimented it beautifully. I dont have pics yet but they will come.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She joins Michael up the front. I welcome everyone and then the words go out the window. I have no notes and am conscious of not saying anything misleading so we go straight to the vows and from there to the rings. I was going to close, as they asked with the standard traditional pronunciation of man and wife but they were so eager to have a snog it pretty much made it all so unecessary and so the ceremony was over and time, for congratulations and dr</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">inks on the lawn.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dinner and speeches followed. Dancing finished off the night at the resort and then the young uns went bowling. Before they left we set off floating (in the air) lanterns. A real spectacle when each of our balloons filled with hot air and floated into the sky. Something that would never happen in NZ because of civil aviation rules but here no one seems to mind. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJEqkkwoL-RoP60TKr1Nfub-S1kYSxYeS940huDlKbFdbRGevVKHYraoUhoSjxM5LBJqDBKjKOenmEd79fvAFBrNUCUXUXOCPx4e11J12QP3Mzin-EIwzdgHgnWoAnfVX6r968WQTqhA/s640/blogger-image--1269951600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJEqkkwoL-RoP60TKr1Nfub-S1kYSxYeS940huDlKbFdbRGevVKHYraoUhoSjxM5LBJqDBKjKOenmEd79fvAFBrNUCUXUXOCPx4e11J12QP3Mzin-EIwzdgHgnWoAnfVX6r968WQTqhA/s640/blogger-image--1269951600.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuzi48ZitwjqKg5tfkV_fQKVKodixQ7HooP3GilaAzzHlbKXcQViiAY0FNexjhVtoGBy3X6q5vA4CSRbCp_vWXtrvdZz8L1xbkdNp0WPCKWEFg7epIztzrwGpona598tA535IWVLfpR0/s640/blogger-image--1409930995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuzi48ZitwjqKg5tfkV_fQKVKodixQ7HooP3GilaAzzHlbKXcQViiAY0FNexjhVtoGBy3X6q5vA4CSRbCp_vWXtrvdZz8L1xbkdNp0WPCKWEFg7epIztzrwGpona598tA535IWVLfpR0/s640/blogger-image--1409930995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJXhic-gPu0eMs2VXYF5eAN4ApesxtSrxoy0Pnfsqx_4tsX6ISX4fJOe-jod0S4NXKHo4q4cMUnvGgYfjvYTpILGPOd7ZWOkca6pjuBxrbaaEeWkRB8LXeQzpSYMHcn9jBUc6HAa4kHY/s640/blogger-image--1326805759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJXhic-gPu0eMs2VXYF5eAN4ApesxtSrxoy0Pnfsqx_4tsX6ISX4fJOe-jod0S4NXKHo4q4cMUnvGgYfjvYTpILGPOd7ZWOkca6pjuBxrbaaEeWkRB8LXeQzpSYMHcn9jBUc6HAa4kHY/s640/blogger-image--1326805759.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Up until the young ones left for bowls I spent much of the evening propped against a pillar watching everyone enjoying themselves and trying to figure out what was "dancing" about the moves they were making to the noise that they call music. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc98gm76VvRVTnBuvB30wzc_kX57EzaJq3BsWPL53nzmKswGcMjskF3pqOneQrArobjjPL9GIf_KX1NieFLjd43YZBIL8j-Ipgw7R8LvV78JFthCAn3K460iwjJe5Rze0X6qnfKP4Nbs/s640/blogger-image-1913484487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc98gm76VvRVTnBuvB30wzc_kX57EzaJq3BsWPL53nzmKswGcMjskF3pqOneQrArobjjPL9GIf_KX1NieFLjd43YZBIL8j-Ipgw7R8LvV78JFthCAn3K460iwjJe5Rze0X6qnfKP4Nbs/s640/blogger-image-1913484487.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowv1_0ASczVEEHO7f4ljwq6D1lKHv2_zRkMG6Ahaa5YSl9Kwhw4ODTY7EOEz0fZJnmvUqSjiEDPyVPhCon3phZcfO7f4c4vqpg4IDRUlNcCLig_2ipfg5YOMPBW9a5fsfWFZh0Lij5FY/s640/blogger-image-1139276904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowv1_0ASczVEEHO7f4ljwq6D1lKHv2_zRkMG6Ahaa5YSl9Kwhw4ODTY7EOEz0fZJnmvUqSjiEDPyVPhCon3phZcfO7f4c4vqpg4IDRUlNcCLig_2ipfg5YOMPBW9a5fsfWFZh0Lij5FY/s640/blogger-image-1139276904.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Still it was fun watching and seeing the drunk get drunker and sillier. The popcorn man kept rolling out the burned sugar popcorn and I kept nibbling until it was time for a quick clean up before bed. The young ones reported it as the best celebration they had been to so that was great.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Next day was fun as we watched (and smelled) the drunks from the night before try to negotiate the noise and real life with headaches and whatever else came with it. Fun for us but not for them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Kylie, Amy, Matt and I spent some time ambling and eventually having a foot spa, which for the others was the first time, so prompted squeals and laughter. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsaz9Fe9c1Elo2CBBxvyyGhlScgnLhb2hpMKVYbwc64J4UoR6IiqMXJ4soGv6ZVtMwY-kLuGtjPNgbTdYSdhbZwcTmc4j2BPUZNIyJdSUTjpShP_tu32mc_Ne-iWOTHPt9xlywnFXJjs/s640/blogger-image-807046503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsaz9Fe9c1Elo2CBBxvyyGhlScgnLhb2hpMKVYbwc64J4UoR6IiqMXJ4soGv6ZVtMwY-kLuGtjPNgbTdYSdhbZwcTmc4j2BPUZNIyJdSUTjpShP_tu32mc_Ne-iWOTHPt9xlywnFXJjs/s640/blogger-image-807046503.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">That afternoon we find that there had been a mix up with accomodation at the resort we were all staying and that and it turned out that there were no rooms for the Dobsons for the following night. We quickly managed to get a wifi connection and booked the only place we could find with three rooms available and so knew that with a wee child we were OK for a bed the following night. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">By that stage I was so shattered I welcomed</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> the opportunity to distance myself from the event and have some breathing space. After all these years of organising major and complicated events this was the most stressful of them all and the only thing that I have been involved in organising when everything was not completed and up and running well before hand meaning no one was stressed at the last minute. Anyway, it turned out great and no one was aware of all the things that had beeen planned but never made it. Obviously they were unecessary from the start. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Kylie and Jade went for an early night while Amy Matt and I </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">went into town for dinner a walk and a ride home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Next day we pack our bags. Matt goes to play golf, despite still being quite ill but the break did him good. Kylie, Amy and Jade went for a bike ride. I read my book until it was time for us to check out and move into a guest house in the city. A lovely quiet, cheap haven in the middle of the old town, walking distance from everything and at least in my room, wifi that worked. Ammata Guesthouse you were just what I needed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We relaxed, wandered, ate and then finished our gift shopping in the night market before an early night.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Kylie and Jade were leaving first thing in he morning so we got up to say our goodbyes. Since we were up Amy and I decided to check out the Alms Procession where the monks file past the people giivng out food and other items (the offerings) the only food the monks supposedly receive. There is controversy over the event as it has become such a tourist joke showing no respect for the purpose of the event. I was curious to see what was going on. We wait in the main street till about 6 am seeing line after line of tourist taking their places along the pavement where mats had been set up. Some groups were so well organised that they even wore traditional sabai and had wee chairs ready for them. Even before the monks started to appear the event took on an air of tourist insanity. It was a joke. The monks appear and file past the people, taking the cover off their bamboo basket to allow the seated person to place their offering inside before they walk on to the next person for the next offering. We watched for a bit. I took a few photos and understood why the event gets no respect from the tourists. It was a joke.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUbrsehL8MMgBs2WWAb_dvAw2SygaK6JToGROEUjgw5hOrKMAsLD0FMGoklTzS9yzsyhtURl489hWpMJjjZfPQYXD65OXrXpoufnQXJLVKXrdvzK9rrFtcYJYAeCUDCmwlFWS14FmFdg/s640/blogger-image-1111972403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUbrsehL8MMgBs2WWAb_dvAw2SygaK6JToGROEUjgw5hOrKMAsLD0FMGoklTzS9yzsyhtURl489hWpMJjjZfPQYXD65OXrXpoufnQXJLVKXrdvzK9rrFtcYJYAeCUDCmwlFWS14FmFdg/s640/blogger-image-1111972403.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7x45w4HdMpFOlekjIZYG1jYm5AfK3WWpa1jL2HI57e0cR-SsLP_Gfn4CLQS2KplsO5FrOT7EBMW8bSw3g3coFnVbjT0AFPe7sibtsgETWzhCSdL-c6sF4cDuVNFf4Zk1iQ6lVVAQItU/s640/blogger-image--1919032887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7x45w4HdMpFOlekjIZYG1jYm5AfK3WWpa1jL2HI57e0cR-SsLP_Gfn4CLQS2KplsO5FrOT7EBMW8bSw3g3coFnVbjT0AFPe7sibtsgETWzhCSdL-c6sF4cDuVNFf4Zk1iQ6lVVAQItU/s640/blogger-image--1919032887.jpg"></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We leave and go round the corner to the street the Ammata was on. Here a different story. Same process but the people (the alms givers) were few and far between and mainly local people. So same, same, but different (the saying from all over Asia). This part of the ceremony was lovely to watch. There was a wee boy and then a wee girl sitting on the road as well. Both with empy baskets in front of them. Some of the monks, as they passed them, dropped balls of rice into their baskets and we wondered what the story was there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDy5ltHctjBToSs-9CD0fiJI96ViWTIRKHr9gDnRdo7D4AH1UyWfHl8JLdKgbNT_q8GKsN0BLgFn9C83LDcAVwsPPjV35GD3QROy99g5k-fiNZa6rGpA1rQspsn3AYyYFBe-Ii3SfULw/s640/blogger-image--470669486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDy5ltHctjBToSs-9CD0fiJI96ViWTIRKHr9gDnRdo7D4AH1UyWfHl8JLdKgbNT_q8GKsN0BLgFn9C83LDcAVwsPPjV35GD3QROy99g5k-fiNZa6rGpA1rQspsn3AYyYFBe-Ii3SfULw/s640/blogger-image--470669486.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAO23X16ozVgVq6OQejV5f9RlDF5_goBVc5v-PbAVe5o8lJAZYcuxObJZiARtvGN8z_o3OXR4BEayGWu39lbOCqnIMItPuAM6SFqIx6IHgUpvLngRfzz6Xb1YtPIExkoCibqKOWPzL1k/s640/blogger-image--1351380177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAO23X16ozVgVq6OQejV5f9RlDF5_goBVc5v-PbAVe5o8lJAZYcuxObJZiARtvGN8z_o3OXR4BEayGWu39lbOCqnIMItPuAM6SFqIx6IHgUpvLngRfzz6Xb1YtPIExkoCibqKOWPzL1k/s640/blogger-image--1351380177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lU8of_5hLCxjTE9v4EIGx3GOMjVwkARPERRJU6qSsF3zhHjvYLcQNBEvtomT-NeVeWQ8f6KIx9wQbIhK6Qx1L6w8svEGHUgyiVlQDdlHK1h2BZewYqvz1G4C4osQzJrXNIpv5LCWsMM/s640/blogger-image--871178527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lU8of_5hLCxjTE9v4EIGx3GOMjVwkARPERRJU6qSsF3zhHjvYLcQNBEvtomT-NeVeWQ8f6KIx9wQbIhK6Qx1L6w8svEGHUgyiVlQDdlHK1h2BZewYqvz1G4C4osQzJrXNIpv5LCWsMM/s640/blogger-image--871178527.jpg"></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Le Banneton coffee and croissant was called for here so we felt impelled to indulge. Yes it was good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After such an early morning a sleep was had and we returned to le Banneton to spend the rest of our kip before catching a ride to the airport and bidding our goodbyes to each other and to Laos. We were all pleased to be moving on. I wish I was on my way home, but now off for another adventure. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have mixed feelings about Laos. As I said above my feelings about Vientiane changed and changed and changed. I didn't like Luang Prabang at the start of my first visit but would happily spend time here. It is a beautiful city and away from the tourist throngs has some lovely spaces, people and things to do. Vang Vieng was stunning. The scenery sublime. Again away from the tourist rabble was lovely. Would I go back? No.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So here I am travelling to Thailand and can't wait. Even though when I left the last time I vowed I didn't want to return to Bangkok, and that still stands but I reserve judgement on Krabi, the tourist trap of all time. My holiday that was supposed to be off the beaten track has been anything but. Experiencing Laos didn't really happen as I spent most of my time in Vientiene seeking out wedding stuff and other than the fact that it was difficult to find western things in a non western city, I didnt feel as though I experienced the city because the city didnt know what it was. It seemed a melting pot of many cultures that were not in Asia. The most "Laos" I experienced was the few hours at Kamu Lodge where I saw the rural side of Lao life and interacted with some village people.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In my time here I have felt as though I am constantly haggling for something, have been ripped off twice by money changers, happily I picked it up both times and am hopefully in the way to having both rectified, have had running battles with airlines who owe me money because they have cancelled flights without notice and caused me to rebook itineraries at great cost, have had hotels that I stayed at report that I did not show so tried to charge me again, have constantly struggled to use technology because of terrible connections. I am told that the technology issue is a Lao wide problem but that is not the case as I have been places where it works a dream. I think they just advertise it knowing that it is something that travellers now insist on and if it doesn't work who cares. It's still free. None of these things have anything to do with third world status. It is just an excuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">BUT I have also had some great experiences and being here gave me the opportunity to spend time with all of the kids which is the best thing. I witnessed Bianca making a lifelong commitment to her chosen man and know that they will be happy together and well suited. I got to experience That Luang, an amazing celebration, I saw the beauty of Vang Vieng and saw first hand the phenomenon of the tourists spending all day in restaurants watching "Friends", I set a floating lantern off into the sky, I ate some amazing food and learned to cook some of what I ate, I experienced a wee tiny bit of rural like at Kamu Lodge, I sailed on the Mekong, I ate crickets, I wove a piece of fabric and batiked another, I experienced the Alms Procession. I had fun, I laughed, I cried, I learned to love beerLao and sticky rice and now I am ready for the next adventure. Thailand, Krabi and Koh Klang here I come.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And then I head for home sweet home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-37396094955943615082014-01-03T04:24:00.001+12:002014-01-11T04:05:36.758+12:00Goodbye HoiAn<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Today was the day that made me want to come home right there and then.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Starting with a hotel breakfast we pack and then go book a car for the airport. Easy to book but the price is not what we were quoted last night. And so the discussion begins and we find that last nights price was for a car that may or may not fit our luggage. Todays price is for a mini bus that will fit our luggage. Not much of a difference so we roll with it.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Next is check out. I ask for one print out for each room, not one with handwritten calculations, or a separate pagenfor each day. Oh too hard. I have a feeling we were being ripped off again but past caring.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We get to the airport, spy a Burger King and frantically run to get out burgers. Rubbish burgers but they tasted so good. We were dissappointed that there were no onion rings, but thats ok we have enough dong left for another round in Hanoi where we have a 2 hour wait between flights.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">As we wait and wait Amy realises that our flight was running late. I go to find out and am told it is only 10 minutes late. That is 10 minutes later than the reschdule that they have already done which means we now have 30 minutes between flights in Hanoi. I go talk to the staff and they assure us they will get us on the plane. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">When we boarded the flight I carefully and slowly told the flight attendant that we had to catch a connection 30 minutes after this one landed so could we please get off first? Her reply. "Sorry but we only have water". How can you not laugh........ Then I repeated myself and she told me that they had it all under control. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">And indeed they did as they had promised and we ran between flights, missed out on burger king and got on board just before the bridge was drawn away. I check my mail before take off and find that the stupid LaoCentral airline has cancelled one of my flights, which means I now have to change a series of flights to get to Krabi. Also means change fees, loss of hotel bookings etc. I am so over these pathetic wee airlines holding us all to ransom. They have cancelled flights on all the wedding guests left right and centre and are not being held responsible by anyone. I'm sick of arguing every time something gets stuffed up because people choose not to understand or are too busy trying to rip everyone off.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We arrive in Vientinane. I go, along with about 10 others, to get my visa. We stand like idiots in a queue waiting for a policeman to arrive so the visas can be processed. The policeman does not process the visas but has to be sitting in seat no 1 so the poeple in seats 2 and 3 can do the processing. They know what time flights arrive and don't give a continental whether people have to wait or not. Some of the people had connections to make and missed them because they had to wait for the visa</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">But we get to town, Matt and Amy get to their hotel and I get to mine. I am given a room with a lovely view which I knew mean that it would look onto the road, and opposite the wat, but I am beyond caring whether there is noise or not. At least Vientiane does not go until late.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Quickly I shower, in an acceptable shower, and go meet Matt and Amy. We were going to go to Makphet for dinner but they were full so we ended up at a wee street stall down by the markets. BeerLao, sticky rice, papaya salad, garlic chicken and sausage. Happy as.... We pop into Sticky Fingers and say hi to the Bainbridges before walking through the market and having a coffee at Khop Chai Deu. None of it was remarkable.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I return to the hotel ready to start checking out flights to replace the one that has been cancelled. O surprise surprise the wifi doesnt work. After a protracted phone discussion with the guy at reception, who suggested I should get out of bed and go downstairs so he could tell me the correct password, I dont think so lovey, I eventually got on line. May as well not have bothered. It is so slow I think it will be quicker for me to go along in person tomorrow....</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Please can I go home. No blogs for a few days. Rest and wedding preparations will be the plan.</div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-81584405164000127882014-01-02T13:12:00.001+12:002014-01-04T03:16:18.822+12:00Vietnam thoughtsFarewel Vietnam. I loved you and should I return to Asia I will seek you out but off the beaten track. As much as I didnt want to do,touristbtraps anywhere, it seems that is all i did and have left feeling as though I cheated myself.<div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A land of contrasts:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the sleazy insanity of the Old Quarter in Hanoi to the mature serenity of Hoi An</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the old ramshackle homes along the river in HCMC right next door to the stately villas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the beautiful and expert tailoring of HoiAn to the slapdash way that everything is executed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the Hanoi Pho we enjoyed while sitting in the tiny plastic chairs on the pavement to the LaoCau we had on wee wooden chairs in Hoi An</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the swarming masses of the village touts in Sapa to the workers asleep on the job</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From a horrendous recent history has come a people of humility and smiles</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From Vietnamese drip coffee to BaBaBa beer</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the pretty lanterns to the Mariachi Band in Hoi An. Both totally unexpected.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From Christmas Eve around Hoan Kiem lake to New Year amongst the lanterns in Hoi an. Both magical</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the rude people in Sapa to the loveli</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ness of the people of HCMC</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the amazing betel nut rolls we had on the street in Hoi An to the magnificent meal we enjoyed at Koto in Hanoi</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the huge parks and prettiness in central HCMC to the sleaziness of the wholesale market further out of the city</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From spending time with the kids to meeting by chance my best friends friends in a coffee shop in Hanoi and again in the street in Hoi An</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the wee lad dancing in the street in Hanoi to the homeless children in Sapa</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From those that couldnt speak to us to those that thought they could and came up with words like, nutterlar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From the overnight train to the madness of the road traffic.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Chiao Vietnam. Gamun.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-39785963118937883262014-01-01T23:08:00.001+12:002014-01-02T03:14:24.417+12:00Start of a new yearFirst up, breakfast. Hotel breakfast. Not good, typical poor quality, large quantitiy, boring mass produced hotel breakfast with putrid coffee, but thats OK I didn't need it anyway and will make me appreciate my Le Banneton croissant even more when I get back to Vientiane.<div><br></div><div>With nothing in particular planned we go and collect our first lot of dressmaking. An outstanding job on my jacket but now far from the casual comfy jacket I wanted. Beautifully tailored and finished it is now a formal and structured jacket which fitted to perfection and was quite uncomfortable, but for $30 it will be warm and will be worn again I am sure.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonwX1SCnNVrX0cfqr257FlvaBDH0pG2q60rtN383D9ixGizzbgCHWb4oJHx75HlFyfl_MQUSA4XpHdE7IrvZi9GIqpXvEnm0aO_TvVRVCK6lNu4zZ135WK9z8fp1gpLy3XE86wIiij4w/s640/blogger-image-1337573470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonwX1SCnNVrX0cfqr257FlvaBDH0pG2q60rtN383D9ixGizzbgCHWb4oJHx75HlFyfl_MQUSA4XpHdE7IrvZi9GIqpXvEnm0aO_TvVRVCK6lNu4zZ135WK9z8fp1gpLy3XE86wIiij4w/s640/blogger-image-1337573470.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Next stop the market to collect the next garment. Again well made but not as tailored as the jacket. For the same price the jacket was the better deal but still I like this one.</div><div><br></div><div>Lunch is Pho at a funny little basic place with seats outside someones house and the kitchen in thier front yard. For a total of $4.50 we done well.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFecVgxggkPW6GpjHQkImCHzHAUCQKzhS0X5cAUQa2GMd-pRO21iMTJuhg4utkH_mDzJ0ZI2NiTdwie-Cb8EaZzZd0a_nWM1l39dxgPd-gE0VCzbxNKEKS4gFZYzzG7nVSs_FgCP8xfY/s640/blogger-image-1246711670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFecVgxggkPW6GpjHQkImCHzHAUCQKzhS0X5cAUQa2GMd-pRO21iMTJuhg4utkH_mDzJ0ZI2NiTdwie-Cb8EaZzZd0a_nWM1l39dxgPd-gE0VCzbxNKEKS4gFZYzzG7nVSs_FgCP8xfY/s640/blogger-image-1246711670.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I get carried away in a bamboo clothing shop and buy a pile of unecessary tops but look forward to wearing them in the summer. Maybe in Krabi!</div><div><br></div><div>We try to visit a temple and find we need a ticket to visit things in the old town. Not happening and we leave. Our one attempt to do something cultural and it is over. Shame it looked pretty too. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplHLYKFvP67bQpC8u_pCXDrfSQ9uMRwBeJfacWy410wvyCj5Yp360uZjKLXE8XNIJhSG_qAxF0szLcBvypjlB2MplunxemQYcCf_az1UBX0SosNyvyxUy4ggYm4oJla41oS1SI5RXe-I/s640/blogger-image-732198989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplHLYKFvP67bQpC8u_pCXDrfSQ9uMRwBeJfacWy410wvyCj5Yp360uZjKLXE8XNIJhSG_qAxF0szLcBvypjlB2MplunxemQYcCf_az1UBX0SosNyvyxUy4ggYm4oJla41oS1SI5RXe-I/s640/blogger-image-732198989.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Some time later we go to the coffee shop have a coke, see the crane has eventually been taken out of the water and it sitting in the back of a truck. We watch it drive away and watch they guy lifting power lines with a bamboo pole so the load can fit underneath.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWrpRaQW8ISYlOTBfP9WACOPuuVNvAGgTxZFnCfDcIOVMmnCaP_6VWtgHHOvBoNqLXZvlASMCsqicerXR-2-ytQH8173lKpYc0_ifP4HGITQEx-oMqHdpvo1upAYXsz2uUC3AvE8UtLs/s640/blogger-image-1204554451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWrpRaQW8ISYlOTBfP9WACOPuuVNvAGgTxZFnCfDcIOVMmnCaP_6VWtgHHOvBoNqLXZvlASMCsqicerXR-2-ytQH8173lKpYc0_ifP4HGITQEx-oMqHdpvo1upAYXsz2uUC3AvE8UtLs/s640/blogger-image-1204554451.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We drag ourselves back to the hotel. Honeymoon over, we are all over wandreing aimlessly and want to move on. I could go home tomorrow and not be unhappy but four weeks to go for me and it will be busy from when we hit Lao tomorrow. Bring it on. I have really enjoyed Hoi An and loved spending time with the kids. Once again though I am leaving a place not having seen much, but that's my fault as I had plenty of opportunity to go exploring, but just didn't have the enthusiasm. This was such a pretty place there didnt seem any need to go sightseeing or exploring.</div><div><br></div><div>Back at the hotel. I crawl into bed and have a nap before we venture into town again for a meal next to the river, where we ate last night. Those beef and betel leave rolls were, again, delicious. I still haven't figured out what the lovely aromatics are, maybe it is just the taste of the betel leaf.</div><div><br></div><div>Enjoying a beer from the plastic mugs after dinner</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsfGrTtReAR_rWxH_GG-Gu4qVrGEZtGsxuDbD-b1jLlAe6UQ7HbmEyF0Bkssh8mYLaT1bR9rjKVBU0yiP_XA0FMUqUjTtvNEGsuk1z0F-WjjOdRDNQczR00lhYKrRKTEC5eARsglu-PE/s640/blogger-image-109147849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsfGrTtReAR_rWxH_GG-Gu4qVrGEZtGsxuDbD-b1jLlAe6UQ7HbmEyF0Bkssh8mYLaT1bR9rjKVBU0yiP_XA0FMUqUjTtvNEGsuk1z0F-WjjOdRDNQczR00lhYKrRKTEC5eARsglu-PE/s640/blogger-image-109147849.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Electricity provider for the food stall where we ate </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqTxonQBIGfWwWBnz5riZPdeTwd8aUDj0CbtTOCsW-UUT6VQEByE0WzTXHdK1iMjZmg0vApBzvVlLoXSjy6GAjKGdPLoG2V1MsS0e-lMEilmT-LLCzME5xzsxW7O7YP5teyp0a7UH0VA/s640/blogger-image--713483559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqTxonQBIGfWwWBnz5riZPdeTwd8aUDj0CbtTOCsW-UUT6VQEByE0WzTXHdK1iMjZmg0vApBzvVlLoXSjy6GAjKGdPLoG2V1MsS0e-lMEilmT-LLCzME5xzsxW7O7YP5teyp0a7UH0VA/s640/blogger-image--713483559.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The covered bridge <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPQFcDwMll-4IGA_Q5QypRSl-nc7LORTcN7XFcpx5aOZb2ZTDdPnvbNrNk4WfOXMkH2SYsU4zWxy32_o9iYbE-_600vzxhKjzyo9DLTfEu53aCPueoJB0PoLW9YGOpDJGw2Mc-5ElJkU/s640/blogger-image-999916046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPQFcDwMll-4IGA_Q5QypRSl-nc7LORTcN7XFcpx5aOZb2ZTDdPnvbNrNk4WfOXMkH2SYsU4zWxy32_o9iYbE-_600vzxhKjzyo9DLTfEu53aCPueoJB0PoLW9YGOpDJGw2Mc-5ElJkU/s640/blogger-image-999916046.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lanterns floating in the river. and a cute alleyway</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafZk2TFF67AbkIldGXR1-FF1AZoN7XKgiBpyG-OOXh6rmGxQbEK7SUGmbxQvVgU9z79QancGbuD4CnYcuZAQyi0vdssbmRTfE1Te6p-0UPzB3g6xdc_ragg0yunbqHPLXE9tJ6G3SLnA/s640/blogger-image-690762792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafZk2TFF67AbkIldGXR1-FF1AZoN7XKgiBpyG-OOXh6rmGxQbEK7SUGmbxQvVgU9z79QancGbuD4CnYcuZAQyi0vdssbmRTfE1Te6p-0UPzB3g6xdc_ragg0yunbqHPLXE9tJ6G3SLnA/s640/blogger-image-690762792.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFqsYwiv9Y7tmIpHfdtUFbLIsYcqjg__R1uzvDE3fresfpte_dwhflNfCmKbpH0XmpOihbeGLYRdbAFTcEU34f-tRAtc2dTr6skZIJHtBf4uM7mSPLWsegcqAyPlXin69wmuO-uBTr-k/s640/blogger-image-1645960657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFqsYwiv9Y7tmIpHfdtUFbLIsYcqjg__R1uzvDE3fresfpte_dwhflNfCmKbpH0XmpOihbeGLYRdbAFTcEU34f-tRAtc2dTr6skZIJHtBf4uM7mSPLWsegcqAyPlXin69wmuO-uBTr-k/s640/blogger-image-1645960657.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Coming back to the hotel I open todays wee scroll. Each night there is a scroll left on my pillow. It is somesort of mythical story but Most nights Becuase of the poor print quality I can't read it. Today the quality is great and I start to read........" Rice Goddess is a beautiful girl,effeminate and design of computer or sulking.........." And that part was understandable. Further on ".... Rice Goddess is leading the rice ears on the pitch, the pitch, dirty street trash have bothered in the heart, to be thundered a broomstick at the beginning, that much. Both rice crowd exclaimed..." The rest (a full A4 page) is gobbledygook rubbish. I'd love to know what the story is before it was wrecked by the translation and had to laugh. A hilarious end to the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Our stay in beautiful HoiAn is over and I am so pleased I came. Perhaps the prettiest place I have been. I would ahve loved to have been able to take some artwork home as some of it is stupendous, much capturing the lovely people and their way of life. I have copied some of the ones I was easily able to photograph.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIWURCpkr7hhUFBhBORsi4UNFm58h4DHlXXCumLSCyHa1H-6VBbsEqiCwjmdKq585pGnViHHDjpRk9IP3qQ4rYjAFzkTp1B1BxDiPvRnu4QgPT9qCISbSDaMTmNHFIUQG1A_IlqRFeNQ/s640/blogger-image-1061815624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIWURCpkr7hhUFBhBORsi4UNFm58h4DHlXXCumLSCyHa1H-6VBbsEqiCwjmdKq585pGnViHHDjpRk9IP3qQ4rYjAFzkTp1B1BxDiPvRnu4QgPT9qCISbSDaMTmNHFIUQG1A_IlqRFeNQ/s640/blogger-image-1061815624.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELhcLmMEj_owg9FVPco3amyxSfHeqBngPFK9Udkxabw_d1eFZT1LCQb_yKH1OgfZfmNtGkXuERKQm6HUgOax9t85z1prPj9uCfvLwuWH6fjWmHaTWgDFjdYbzOr4coKp8Ce3AEbHsyYo/s640/blogger-image--813830187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELhcLmMEj_owg9FVPco3amyxSfHeqBngPFK9Udkxabw_d1eFZT1LCQb_yKH1OgfZfmNtGkXuERKQm6HUgOax9t85z1prPj9uCfvLwuWH6fjWmHaTWgDFjdYbzOr4coKp8Ce3AEbHsyYo/s640/blogger-image--813830187.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Vietnam, I mostly loved you. Each palce I visited was totally different to the other with huge contrasts across the cities and within each city. With the exception of Sapa town, which I would not go to again I would love to spend more time in each of the places I went and really explore the wider area and the people, who were, in the main, just lovely. If I ever come back to SE Asia, I will be back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Goodnight HoiAn. Thanks for a serene, peaceful and flavour filled few days.</div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-15337705352144005542014-01-01T06:20:00.001+12:002014-01-01T22:53:22.024+12:00Welcome 2014<div>After an ear plugged sleep on a foam matress covered with a waste of space duvet I woke feeling remarkably OK and burst into the day with technology, laundry and then off for a walk.</div><div><br></div><div>I passed a dressmaker with a jacket in the window thtabI thought would work with the outfit i ahve made for the wedding and go and check out costs to ahve one made. She wanted to charge stupid amounts so I walked off intending leaving my fabric at the hotel and taking off again. On rteurning to the hotel i find the kids ready to take off to get laundry done so I retrieve the balance of mine and take that too. 1kilo for 35,000dong. $1.80. Ha ha why did. I waste my energy washing this morning.</div><div><br></div><div>We go to a dressmaker Matt has already used and he orders a 3piece suit. I order a jacket amd Amy a dress. Sum total $220 including Matts cashmere fabric, my silk lining and Amys silk dress. Joke. She wants to put wrinkles in Amy's dress. We explain that it is gathers she wants, not wrinkles. I tell her that wrinkles are what I have on my face. She tells me that my skin is beautiful not like Asian skin. Brownie points big time.</div><div><br></div><div>Further along we go to the local market where they have in addition to the usual yum food and tourist junk, a dozen tailors stalls. Crazy. Here I order a chinese style dress with long sleeves to hopefully keep me warm in the colder days that are yet to come. $30. Amazing.</div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We wander more and end up at Thuan Y, for an amazing meal chilli lemon grass chicken, (too tasty to describe but needed some good bread to mop up the juices) beef with water spinach, (which was delicately flavoured with some aromatics and heaps of garlic) rice and hoian special wontons; wonton wrappers fried and heaped with shrimp, pineapple, capsicum, chilli and much yumminess. All washed down with the new favourite beer; 333 or ba,ba,ba in Vietnamese. Yum balls.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Of course coffee is needed and we wander over the bridge, check out some of the side roads where Matt buys a coolie hat, and we go for coffee. </div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sEduKCAxWFMs8NL3jJIKbqQcxI0RqETnMCwSI3B5I8BSoNYK-xGLm5ZZJKoU0kDmBhQYGA1EovcaQ5PExRfp4xQjJrxydVcmcpzGP7_UnLwuVHE3WHkQxJxTpXuvIEa62IrINKI3yW8/s640/blogger-image--1509834068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sEduKCAxWFMs8NL3jJIKbqQcxI0RqETnMCwSI3B5I8BSoNYK-xGLm5ZZJKoU0kDmBhQYGA1EovcaQ5PExRfp4xQjJrxydVcmcpzGP7_UnLwuVHE3WHkQxJxTpXuvIEa62IrINKI3yW8/s640/blogger-image--1509834068.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Realising it was happy hour for 2 for one massages we of course have to indulge and go and wait at the massage place. Suddenly a bang and a few seconds later everyone rushes to the door. In the river a digger had been sitting on a barge dredging the river bed. The bang was the barge splitting in two, throwing the digger and driver into the river. As I ran to see I got a glimpse of the poor digger driver hauling himself out of the water and onto a long boat nearby that the digger had now attached itself to. Really lucky guy, he could have easily been crushed or drowned.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjrJuaSyOc33U-7qzrAVKQpZXnvJ_yKIuVS1STrGuPUdqJuD-GpA0mdYuSD6ivL24cVNsT3_3wvcwxUrPF6MD2K4u6cbN2lvVJE4TcFc5nhhaDZBlcl443XBL1XZxYd9RUuGOgHL1Ei4/s640/blogger-image-1680793371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjrJuaSyOc33U-7qzrAVKQpZXnvJ_yKIuVS1STrGuPUdqJuD-GpA0mdYuSD6ivL24cVNsT3_3wvcwxUrPF6MD2K4u6cbN2lvVJE4TcFc5nhhaDZBlcl443XBL1XZxYd9RUuGOgHL1Ei4/s640/blogger-image-1680793371.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You could just see the blue digger poking out of the water. We wait to see what will happen next and so does everyone else. Nothing. The day carries on...</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Eventualy it is time for the FOOT massage. We are led upstairs where we lie on massage beds and get great full leg massages (in contrast to the LEG massages of yesterday which just did up to the knees). Crazy good and crazy cheap. Have to come back tomorrow and try something else.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Wandering back to the hotel we see a huge crane coming along to rescue the digger. We watched for a while and saw the long boat break free but left when the workers decided to re-think their strategy as the lifting crane was starting to topple. </div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbVBs7b8xgJ98h1Zu_otmHTVytj28-yeby9tVRNH9_LaTYqszMlIuHSc9uRZEg2AqBGRWA0xGBv_rzWD9l4Lp8QSjexkcHO5ENmCNyTwGuQ2kukuU0zRHR2_wkOQ0kUHwfAUAf04F_10/s640/blogger-image--459956937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbVBs7b8xgJ98h1Zu_otmHTVytj28-yeby9tVRNH9_LaTYqszMlIuHSc9uRZEg2AqBGRWA0xGBv_rzWD9l4Lp8QSjexkcHO5ENmCNyTwGuQ2kukuU0zRHR2_wkOQ0kUHwfAUAf04F_10/s640/blogger-image--459956937.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On the way back to the hotel we stop on the sidewalk for a bowl of Caolau, sort of soupy with noodles, broth, lettuce, slices of divine sliced roast pork and some crispy stuff that may have been pork crackling, or it couldhave been something else. Whatever, it was yum, although the square noodles could not convince me to eat them.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG1TDx8f196LnMsXb2ylCsJ4LXamNs4e5dmPqMYP0y56Js_JoJuoS-mgGRW5Wp1T7LcakcVDutQtINt3Sjt8K-XlPCmfr4btvOpnl4gQg9Cw09HcQ7R30wUcEN6lfRRYZwrmKaeeibqY/s640/blogger-image--1439485863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG1TDx8f196LnMsXb2ylCsJ4LXamNs4e5dmPqMYP0y56Js_JoJuoS-mgGRW5Wp1T7LcakcVDutQtINt3Sjt8K-XlPCmfr4btvOpnl4gQg9Cw09HcQ7R30wUcEN6lfRRYZwrmKaeeibqY/s640/blogger-image--1439485863.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We people watch for a bit, checkout the locals and I spy a shop with bamboo clothing on the way back and make a note to self that I must return tomorrow.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEdSXfPGKrzURrFsZ11TYyiR9HqbgVBOASsjBeTRlK7pxvRh2QV2NeD-4ys5uAD4jG73UjhHHrpa2gEeziKMoekDnNdj8snSpBi1nB-4mSFPBP_EgWWg3xlQBJuKiPAC6SVAnyXhZpPA/s640/blogger-image--913958857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEdSXfPGKrzURrFsZ11TYyiR9HqbgVBOASsjBeTRlK7pxvRh2QV2NeD-4ys5uAD4jG73UjhHHrpa2gEeziKMoekDnNdj8snSpBi1nB-4mSFPBP_EgWWg3xlQBJuKiPAC6SVAnyXhZpPA/s640/blogger-image--913958857.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4201TzNvVFwaMnErzBxycnLqqc5yP0su9pZG4pKkVjjq4q7qf3whcdL5GcC2zz3a2iP7VDseUC5_KaGLGdahJ7pSkKrkNiXUxRxGkkQx_OzSNl5n56W3Z2Zb2u2RiDWb_uYjOOKcgLkQ/s640/blogger-image-1061388037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4201TzNvVFwaMnErzBxycnLqqc5yP0su9pZG4pKkVjjq4q7qf3whcdL5GcC2zz3a2iP7VDseUC5_KaGLGdahJ7pSkKrkNiXUxRxGkkQx_OzSNl5n56W3Z2Zb2u2RiDWb_uYjOOKcgLkQ/s640/blogger-image-1061388037.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9lnR-a7D3LbaHOHC0KZD8ELSiqIH8x8ngFRhadwcLKzUtAa6vGLXbh65RY371VDbJGQw0rZEGAssF37YdgThgvLiDP48fIBDhD-udYUbKrZYaidejqwcln5KfIHAO9OUOgXZ302yTao/s640/blogger-image-897443889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9lnR-a7D3LbaHOHC0KZD8ELSiqIH8x8ngFRhadwcLKzUtAa6vGLXbh65RY371VDbJGQw0rZEGAssF37YdgThgvLiDP48fIBDhD-udYUbKrZYaidejqwcln5KfIHAO9OUOgXZ302yTao/s640/blogger-image-897443889.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After a wee rest and a breather we set off walking again, aimlessly wandering, peacefully watching people and the sights. So very pretty and relaxing, no stress, just serene. We stop at a street stall along the river front and OMG the best beef wrapped in betel leaves. I have to have more of this before Imleave. Tender soft beef wrapped in betel leaf with delicate seasoning that sends little ripples through your mouth with each bite. Deeeeevine. The water spinach with garlic was pretty good too and getting some greens in to me was great.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vWG6uyjrf2yC90PpTMEakJU6Mw3zk9OHZj2lNPRsrovOiaAu40vEWeiMQeHRnRl1lmjCTqLdZFDtiLpQczzf7iUPUTJWmAq6UYRwrkGtjd-pEOx8mjw3BPjK8PrTHvB0no0iHkv-e7o/s640/blogger-image--1540890924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vWG6uyjrf2yC90PpTMEakJU6Mw3zk9OHZj2lNPRsrovOiaAu40vEWeiMQeHRnRl1lmjCTqLdZFDtiLpQczzf7iUPUTJWmAq6UYRwrkGtjd-pEOx8mjw3BPjK8PrTHvB0no0iHkv-e7o/s640/blogger-image--1540890924.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We do a bit of a wander and watch the people, thousands out to enjoy the night, not as cool as it has been and still as, barely a ripple on the water. Over the bridge we wander along a night market and buy a couple of bits before we go to our favourite coffee shop. My fondant was microwaved and soggy but with a nice flavour but the coffee superb. We sat for a while to kill time and then felt we had to move in an dlet others use our seat. I couldn't resist the last big scoff of the year and got an ice cream to eat on the street. Salted caramel and very very good.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div>We notice the cranes have gone and are told that the one in the water has been retrieved. No sign of the barge but there are a couple of bamboo poles sticking out if the water. The lanterns are everywhere, lit up and so so pretty. Thenladies are out selling the floating candles, lowering them into the water so they could float downstream and create a mess further along.</div><div><br></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekqAkKsh8JpB04IpKNraouVTJ5PFrTf5vORJWc3bArA-Hsj-qgZMYB9HX2W76vfWuQheGGlTv5rXsJKAyj3-SyTQafsAeoM5EkxMpuXDSOV39XM5qRKHUkMjjbATEBvY_vQSCZB8SvpE/s640/blogger-image-1168201288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekqAkKsh8JpB04IpKNraouVTJ5PFrTf5vORJWc3bArA-Hsj-qgZMYB9HX2W76vfWuQheGGlTv5rXsJKAyj3-SyTQafsAeoM5EkxMpuXDSOV39XM5qRKHUkMjjbATEBvY_vQSCZB8SvpE/s640/blogger-image-1168201288.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkToikX-fBG7zWtd1N_zctfFSiMwufz9HKG2t9tqYmKRDV_wpMwrxInPDyH3cb_5r1BbkKr-mGAEDNjISGXbXbB0IrvbQxThI_A3lXpkf0QBiktkp81NxPUmO2k3Jt_vFrU2e__UfkxHA/s640/blogger-image--2138830656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkToikX-fBG7zWtd1N_zctfFSiMwufz9HKG2t9tqYmKRDV_wpMwrxInPDyH3cb_5r1BbkKr-mGAEDNjISGXbXbB0IrvbQxThI_A3lXpkf0QBiktkp81NxPUmO2k3Jt_vFrU2e__UfkxHA/s640/blogger-image--2138830656.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hYQpCL56ChI8LJ0sixB_vERimezrcEJPzuCqgJNJrumhVvUk-M047l18RYjwGZGUDaZtVh1GDUtBEJOLgrnsqPInB6P0CjJ2VnelLxVjk-BCHPDDqJZcc1QoK94SeZaJXTRYvmHynUk/s640/blogger-image--104045326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hYQpCL56ChI8LJ0sixB_vERimezrcEJPzuCqgJNJrumhVvUk-M047l18RYjwGZGUDaZtVh1GDUtBEJOLgrnsqPInB6P0CjJ2VnelLxVjk-BCHPDDqJZcc1QoK94SeZaJXTRYvmHynUk/s640/blogger-image--104045326.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1y80D_rC2rkBvOWDGIqe5uYklWjktRfeK7cSr3CClQNQvONDt_vl66hUDA41U0uICF1GzG0vcysj1KBDT9yPcqRGD0gR_4RtKZJKnLSEBN7CfT0td8Hg3cplkhA2v0mizgU8bRAtV8w/s640/blogger-image--25152758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1y80D_rC2rkBvOWDGIqe5uYklWjktRfeK7cSr3CClQNQvONDt_vl66hUDA41U0uICF1GzG0vcysj1KBDT9yPcqRGD0gR_4RtKZJKnLSEBN7CfT0td8Hg3cplkhA2v0mizgU8bRAtV8w/s640/blogger-image--25152758.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbjfHv2eFCsbkL9EQgeKaJPf8BeM0a8i6wijjQqEq2kOK0p8EfiRbIK8g7ezmFH9i8ZNRpfyRvc-ZGtwg2_tJ9ezb1ODClWDxfXMon1jBqCHAfKnq3_V-dyVhz2eplcQhCmx3QUxwnsI/s640/blogger-image-1975399602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbjfHv2eFCsbkL9EQgeKaJPf8BeM0a8i6wijjQqEq2kOK0p8EfiRbIK8g7ezmFH9i8ZNRpfyRvc-ZGtwg2_tJ9ezb1ODClWDxfXMon1jBqCHAfKnq3_V-dyVhz2eplcQhCmx3QUxwnsI/s640/blogger-image-1975399602.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Exploring further along we come across a cafe which has great Trip advisor recommendations so decide on a cocktail. My Mojito seemed to be lacking any form of oomph, so either they forgot the booze or I have become immune, still it kills some time and with 15 minutes to 2014 we head off to join thiusands milling around town. So so beautiful with search lights playing patterns on the night sky, lanterns everywhere. Candles floating down the river and boats on the water waiting......</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We try to guess what wil happen at midnight. My guess was nothing. The other option was fireworks. Midnight strikes and yes there were fireworks for about 10 seconds and so small they could barely be seen. We do the kissy thing and start back to the hotel. Things are already starting to get messy with over indulged tourists everywhere and some were gross. I hate being a westerner at times like this. Why do we go all around the world to drink ourselves stupid, breach everyones ideas of modesty, right and wrong and think its OK. I dont think it is OK any more than I think it is right for anyone to come to my country and breach our etiquette.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm glad we ate heading home to tuck up for our first sleep of 2014. We see some new sights and I think that I would like more time to explore out of the central area. We see rats skittle across the road into the drains. We see the river level nearly as high as the road and understand how tides and storms can create tidal surges that decimate towns like this I so like the place. As we walk I turn on my phone and play Boccelli; surreal walking down narrow lanes in Vietnam, listening to Italian opera.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2014 is here and the hotel bed beckons for thrpe first time this year. Happy New Year everyone. I hope it brings us all peace, health and happiness.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-7686655469988250702013-12-31T04:06:00.001+12:002013-12-31T23:36:48.654+12:00Hanoi to Hoi AnArriving at the crazy Hanoi railway station I grab a cab and head to the airport, far too early to check in so go have a pho, a tasteless bowl of noodle soup and a lousy coffee.<div><br></div><div>Eventually i get to check in and make my way to the mezzanine floor where I settled in to have an omelet. It was tasteless but the protein burst was great and i felt human again until a rat, yes a rat, ran over my foot. It happened so fast I didnt even have time to react but saw it slither under the seat. I lifted my feet after that and left the restaurant soon after.</div><div><br></div><div>My short flight to HoiAn was uneventful and I arrive in NaTrang not really knowing what to expect but looking forward to something nice and slow once I got to HoiAn.</div><div><br></div><div>I grab a cab from one of the marshalls on the cab rank and start on my journey to town. Shortly after the cab set off the cabbies phine rings and he gives me the phone. The lady form the cab rank telling me the cabbie is going to take me to somewhere to other to show me. I lost it. Of course it was a scam, a. To take me the long way round and get a better fare and b. To take me to some friends shop so I could buy and they could get a commission. Not going to happen and the more I said no th emore insistent she was. In the end I threatened Police and the converstaion ended.</div><div>When we arrived at the hotel I asked the hotel porters what the usual fare is and instead if answering me straight away they asked the cabbie how much it came to, so I knew i had been ripped off ther as well. When I checked the map later I realised we had come the long way. Oh well. Too late an dits only a few bucks.</div><div><br></div><div>I go to check in and realise they were charging more for one for one night than the others. It was then that they told me there was a mandatory charge for New Years Eve as I was going to the gala dinner; a buffet. Neither of those were going to happen and so it started. I was tired, I had just had the discussion with the cab lady, been ripped off by a taxi driver and there was no way that I was going to,pay for something I had not agreed to and did not want to attend. In the end I contacted Matt and he said they had the same issue and they were not going to the Gala Dinner either After a protracted discussion the hotel agreed to waive the requirement that I had to attend and the requirement <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to pay. Great.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Iam shown to my room, quite nice, but with a damp smell but what the hell. It had hot water and a bed. As soon as I get onto my email. I see a re-comfirmation of accommodation had come through from the Hotel booking agency, less the dinner requirement, and the dinner charge and also minus the free breakfast. Can't be bothereed arguing any more I am so over it and seldom eat breakfast anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Matt Amy and I go for a wander. What a picture perfect wee city. Totally overrun by tourists, but totally in keeping with the beautiful heritage architecture and totally covered with lanterns. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4i-0Fqp8kPtxBpqXqYeQxlbistDWiMZrnv8CjiPL2mSOVhRYXYhl5qEDz1QS_zqNARXrsESR1_lj1WGDE1wLErkcErz9ynV7ep7RWjiTcrd8TYlWeXTVDP6YkqwSmKACl9HRgMSwPlM4/s640/blogger-image--992016665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4i-0Fqp8kPtxBpqXqYeQxlbistDWiMZrnv8CjiPL2mSOVhRYXYhl5qEDz1QS_zqNARXrsESR1_lj1WGDE1wLErkcErz9ynV7ep7RWjiTcrd8TYlWeXTVDP6YkqwSmKACl9HRgMSwPlM4/s640/blogger-image--992016665.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We cross the river and stop at a coffee shop for a great coffee and pancakes. Nutella (pronounced Nutter-la with the emphais on the nut) and banana for me. Yum. Next door is a lovely clean and well organised massage place where we three go and have a leg massage (note this is a LEG massage) and is for a half leg massage and foot scrub. Divine and a stupid price of about $5.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d1v4yJ6YDhVtUsUty5I0C75mgxrYYWb7rmS0QzDuU-zCeRlGJVRsSKIJQp-6IH7foUROwRbh2ht08eqj2z4e44_B8ncCp1WpkkFcyclAd9gVkzioWsueaA0U3fJUjJB6mTnYs4V7ga0/s640/blogger-image--460480739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d1v4yJ6YDhVtUsUty5I0C75mgxrYYWb7rmS0QzDuU-zCeRlGJVRsSKIJQp-6IH7foUROwRbh2ht08eqj2z4e44_B8ncCp1WpkkFcyclAd9gVkzioWsueaA0U3fJUjJB6mTnYs4V7ga0/s640/blogger-image--460480739.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We keep wandering and then return to the hotel for a rest before dinner at another place over the river. I forgot to take photos but our fish in banana leaves was ok, the beef in betel leaves was almost as good as Makphet's version and the calypso rice weird but nice. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR_qBJRMWPPH3UAApAXCW73EROH4sLyWKHISI4NjB6c95r0_0VQtkEWzis6p7AvPvyk16qq6CZw2FkCt2hREP6qi_s0jFjiEpKpRArVNjn6u4LT0RD5XiSkYqpzObQkD5tsAbcCvVyt0/s640/blogger-image-75343803.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1CnNwORdxnJkR7Z2iM5Y9A9WKaY7wq64sSJLTuSJl4ZjgHZ55ECqNcXtyKNVSUbtOQiwUf49KSw9uFF0tNXvTvzuul1eLm_LGDZhL25tARo0Lx2ws3P5zuDpL4jxgDYEwJLJemc2PDY/s640/blogger-image--1286850361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1CnNwORdxnJkR7Z2iM5Y9A9WKaY7wq64sSJLTuSJl4ZjgHZ55ECqNcXtyKNVSUbtOQiwUf49KSw9uFF0tNXvTvzuul1eLm_LGDZhL25tARo0Lx2ws3P5zuDpL4jxgDYEwJLJemc2PDY/s640/blogger-image--1286850361.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ladies selling floating candles lined the streets and we watched a few candles drift down the river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZL83d_offEGX7tXwfIdP5tDUMBjibuZHVMMvXZc4QsNQ8SlncAPCXbrc9EvsxkknWOGZGq-xUJhP4Tohtb0JLebsuOLKd4HeQaCcJzsoxIiN1kzioKVP-oo-tDSXm4vWfTTX0qO7L_4/s640/blogger-image-1029202270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZL83d_offEGX7tXwfIdP5tDUMBjibuZHVMMvXZc4QsNQ8SlncAPCXbrc9EvsxkknWOGZGq-xUJhP4Tohtb0JLebsuOLKd4HeQaCcJzsoxIiN1kzioKVP-oo-tDSXm4vWfTTX0qO7L_4/s640/blogger-image-1029202270.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div>We return to the coffee shop for an ice cream (roll your own, add your topping and sweeties, get it weighed and enjoy). A great end to what turned out to be a lovely day.</div><div><br></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-61527344344363061232013-12-30T15:02:00.001+12:002014-01-02T02:43:24.874+12:00A long long dayI was so cold in my room that I stayed in bed as long as I possibly could and then ran up turned on the hot water to give it a chance to get hot and crawled into bed again. When I eventually got up and into the shower it was a pleasant surprise as although the pressure wasn't great it was reasonably hot and warmed me up.<div><br></div><div>Breakfast was free with the room so I ordered a toasted sandwich, after yesterdays French Toast I wasn't sure what I would get. Well, it was two very fat pieces of toast wrapped around raw cheese, ham, tomato, cucumber and egg. Im glad I asked them to hold the tomato and the lettuce, they would have made it even soggier than it was. As soon as I picked it up my fingers went straight through the bread and that was it. I couldnt even look at if after that, but I did enjoy the coffee.</div><div><br></div><div>The place is still covered in mist, so my options for the day are to sit in the hotel foyer or go walking and looking at the mist. I could have gone with a Hmong to her village but am so over going to contrived tourst villages where they see us tourists as money machines so that wsnt going to happen, but thought I would follow the idea that the lady in the hotel gave me decided to walk down hill to a village, 1km she said. I walked the 1km and found it took me to a ticket office where I had to pay to go into the village which was 2.5km away. Even if I had gone down that track I still wouldnt have been able to see anything as it was mistier down there than higher up. Walking back I notice the sign.. Violet?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdacpPFQtBNORypKYB9VeXuH9eWdQIyPmz9k5FYc0JsKOKfKLyIHkV_I2BVMo6hUC7vprFKdO9d4IKOyDa06uk2E0Tm_BdeNMnEUSAcn9-6Cgt0166IbPEW9rWVKBPSXjogE5kexwrkgE/s640/blogger-image-1374269165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdacpPFQtBNORypKYB9VeXuH9eWdQIyPmz9k5FYc0JsKOKfKLyIHkV_I2BVMo6hUC7vprFKdO9d4IKOyDa06uk2E0Tm_BdeNMnEUSAcn9-6Cgt0166IbPEW9rWVKBPSXjogE5kexwrkgE/s640/blogger-image-1374269165.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I turn and <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">walk back up the hill and spend the day aimlessly wandering, avoiding the Hmong who are everywhere and constantly hastling. I notice their black hands and initially think it is dirt, which seemed weird as their clothes are spotless, but then realise that it is either from the dying of fabric, which they are known for, or from the residue of the fabrics that they are wearing. I also wonder how much of this is real and how much a tourist stunt. Do they always wear traditional dress or is it donned just for the tourists? Other than shop and hospitality owners/workers and tourists all the other people appear to be Hmong in traditional dress, where is everyone else? I overhear a Hmong saying that very quiet... Not many tourists, which is why all the restaurants are empty, but it would be horrible with piles more tourists, absolutely horrible, so I am glad I have missed them, and those that didn't come are probably glad they missed the snow and the mist.</span></div><div><br></div><div>I go back to the hope centre where some of the girls are sitting, warm in their new coats, smiles allover their faces. Loved it. We had a great chat and they kept saying thank you. Not me loves, but some other amazing people.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM59AlfNNm7vQfsvJ_gkhNMsnsGRtXOzcKP2AbLhyphenhyphen3GIKJalmFCcQz7mXqjX-3EligHsH4Se0QmYuSQnVL1nOJnK-bANKx8KuZ6kNOc6CNtA-AMysQip8mKa87mDx8EhbdaUU_6EFODvc/s640/blogger-image-506278999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM59AlfNNm7vQfsvJ_gkhNMsnsGRtXOzcKP2AbLhyphenhyphen3GIKJalmFCcQz7mXqjX-3EligHsH4Se0QmYuSQnVL1nOJnK-bANKx8KuZ6kNOc6CNtA-AMysQip8mKa87mDx8EhbdaUU_6EFODvc/s640/blogger-image-506278999.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walking back down the hill I find a little guy dancing in the street and got him to pose for me. He went crazy when he saw the photo and I tried to grab another while he was jumping and waving his arms around. Just too gorgeous. His family were all laughing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkZNIxoxhcJOa20g1MXYqq-w84aw8bf6q3g3kr58MUIhhXEm6L52W1wTV0p0ct6VqXPw3Udx56J5poj8JAIHNl7UKYEU66KG4-VfJiO25dIibsqH9SLXOmTOWjxk_kPgMfPmkTDWq5js/s640/blogger-image-1562071375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkZNIxoxhcJOa20g1MXYqq-w84aw8bf6q3g3kr58MUIhhXEm6L52W1wTV0p0ct6VqXPw3Udx56J5poj8JAIHNl7UKYEU66KG4-VfJiO25dIibsqH9SLXOmTOWjxk_kPgMfPmkTDWq5js/s640/blogger-image-1562071375.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have found some amazingly fiendly and lovely people here, not as much as in HCMC but still plenty, but cant help notice the difference between the everyday random people who are so cheery and some of the rude service staff. That was reinforced when I eventually hit the airport and. Was snapped at by most everyone I spoke to.</div><br></div><div>Just checking out the sights around town was fun:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVg__dbNsCB_AtOaGGxo_PDSrt4JyNl02oe_4Nbs8IL9IBuTRdjRIcvqgRezvba8vOrCLrXkNQLXtkYy29zOSxsBHoJu1HnxPyHvDNM3yKlwSootvPsgrNGL4isa0Q4puElmzhDBOJ2I/s640/blogger-image--2107065063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVg__dbNsCB_AtOaGGxo_PDSrt4JyNl02oe_4Nbs8IL9IBuTRdjRIcvqgRezvba8vOrCLrXkNQLXtkYy29zOSxsBHoJu1HnxPyHvDNM3yKlwSootvPsgrNGL4isa0Q4puElmzhDBOJ2I/s640/blogger-image--2107065063.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfq4ISLwMpjVQpi6Gv5QL1S8WEysWbNfEW8tJkdyWPih8C4NhFL7UE10lGPuMRCgHKGlhMYgArS4jMBSIagJeepaTKvM5WWMUcJc0Chcvvtp-dimbJ2HlsOtxu4lhtOEyiY_jCYk8cWXc/s640/blogger-image-1173078565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfq4ISLwMpjVQpi6Gv5QL1S8WEysWbNfEW8tJkdyWPih8C4NhFL7UE10lGPuMRCgHKGlhMYgArS4jMBSIagJeepaTKvM5WWMUcJc0Chcvvtp-dimbJ2HlsOtxu4lhtOEyiY_jCYk8cWXc/s640/blogger-image-1173078565.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xodFgBLIKICsOCqd81a7xKUdXblAg2Ov9ieaViTMAzvrra-XXTH3oFdRpEslQGxwbhRWJNQIzkbwgE3Er_RJAVrzjDcPS2-1R-ESb4KPJSExh-I9BmHam5sXISRbxeng0xussixE65s/s640/blogger-image--965805628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xodFgBLIKICsOCqd81a7xKUdXblAg2Ov9ieaViTMAzvrra-XXTH3oFdRpEslQGxwbhRWJNQIzkbwgE3Er_RJAVrzjDcPS2-1R-ESb4KPJSExh-I9BmHam5sXISRbxeng0xussixE65s/s640/blogger-image--965805628.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rvEVKMFHqEikMpy286fGAYJxh4D3Dd_AHhhal1L1jasT87pQ8L9Ml6HJ_tL7bmSUV3mScGsdIHscConuuuDgk4jcjR1we4_n30XqKv8x5E4pELfZJSqzmxmeKX1BYrKGs1HyWfTssS8/s640/blogger-image--2105171668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rvEVKMFHqEikMpy286fGAYJxh4D3Dd_AHhhal1L1jasT87pQ8L9Ml6HJ_tL7bmSUV3mScGsdIHscConuuuDgk4jcjR1we4_n30XqKv8x5E4pELfZJSqzmxmeKX1BYrKGs1HyWfTssS8/s640/blogger-image--2105171668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUET8QKPnL3-d6TVGmOoVzbPoKWISGGkhkxDsyN-VFV9iDsK4bzHPmgAVi3HEb4CY4JGBVViNKsSXE2vLbjp2Elw7Dny37aU8SM8jyDR7YI3yztP0Yqu_gKJWr0w8-f_vLAAZrYz9tPk/s640/blogger-image-1644668848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUET8QKPnL3-d6TVGmOoVzbPoKWISGGkhkxDsyN-VFV9iDsK4bzHPmgAVi3HEb4CY4JGBVViNKsSXE2vLbjp2Elw7Dny37aU8SM8jyDR7YI3yztP0Yqu_gKJWr0w8-f_vLAAZrYz9tPk/s640/blogger-image-1644668848.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I feel peckish but wary of the many restaurants with no patrons and wonder of the freshness of food with no turnover. Yesterday's street BBQ has put me off and I didn't want to go to the place I have already been to twice so I wandered on. For some reason I thought pizza and the thought stuck. I'm surprised that after my last pizza I ever want to have pizza again but the thought wont go away. I eventually find a lovley looking place and go in, dark and filled with "ambience". As soon as I ask for the pizza they tell me no electricity, so no pizza but I can have anything else, except for everything else I ask for. The whole town is out, I am told. I leave, been through the no power thing one time too many. </div><div><br></div><div>And so I return to wandreing through the market where I buy some donuts to eat on the train. No snack stores around so this will have to do. As I walk through the market I notice tht some stalls have lights on so follow the trail and end up next to the hotel where I am sitting as I write. The only customer so I order fried rice which they cant do anything drastic to. There is an open fire but funnily enough I was warmer outside. There is beautiful french music playing. I love it. The fried rice comes and is totally tasteless but at least was hot and is edible. </div><div><br></div><div>Only three more hours to kill and I can go get ready to be collected for the train. I still hope for sunshine and a break in the mist so I can see the beauty of this countryside. By the time I get on the bus to leave it will be dark so wont see anything then either. Really upset with myself in my quest to get off the beaten track and see the way the people live and then I choose to come here, which is the most tourist false place I have been, but it was the scenery that was the attraction and I missed that as well. Oh well too late now. The thought of arriving in Hanoi at 4am and then having to kill time till I go to Hoi An as well is a bit of a put off. Maybe my hunch about not coming was something I should have listened to.</div><div><br></div><div>At one stage I wander through the food markets, the absemce of flies is encouraging and the food looks really clean. I see black chickens and wonder what they are. I also see live chickens in cages and cringe when I think of the feather dusters I took photos of yesterday. Vegetables are glistening with water but look extra fresh and crispy. Next to the raw food market is what we would call a food hall. Lots of tables with people cooking a variety of different things and their patrons sitting at the table eating while the vendor is cooking. The patrons are mainly Hmong.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66WxcTEth4M17WfvV8oIr1Yq4TO-ZczUW7e89DATfVuzzOcZyLpvRn_rayC4POqVNUs9INY2r-uth_6E3yHKWuiJWffGRbQe3b0xsOzP0dPNSqcpdrJXlpuyTlLfLQC5XXPinWwmSYaY/s640/blogger-image--1981520312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66WxcTEth4M17WfvV8oIr1Yq4TO-ZczUW7e89DATfVuzzOcZyLpvRn_rayC4POqVNUs9INY2r-uth_6E3yHKWuiJWffGRbQe3b0xsOzP0dPNSqcpdrJXlpuyTlLfLQC5XXPinWwmSYaY/s640/blogger-image--1981520312.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUslvKQ8mDqDWFnOs7PDGlO8qhc5jxQDACYvMxRl-lO2qdsoM-PIouJhKqq2eDd08nMDshUtOdb2-_F0fnt5kF6U9g-pPRyJNzdFdVN81qsAHtIj424gJsfflC8aUvhMNY6iCOyB-n3L4/s640/blogger-image--345704482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUslvKQ8mDqDWFnOs7PDGlO8qhc5jxQDACYvMxRl-lO2qdsoM-PIouJhKqq2eDd08nMDshUtOdb2-_F0fnt5kF6U9g-pPRyJNzdFdVN81qsAHtIj424gJsfflC8aUvhMNY6iCOyB-n3L4/s640/blogger-image--345704482.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOFXUd7TM3x9LiWujoCY1pQlv2DAoKDCM3NEcCddrXrpqea6EMp9xb9LHsG4ozjIOlySLFTDF76SgmpQ4xSs_aWa-c2eB9E0coJziwc8qrqZZaCtsqOVXHCtjk2DB9y-gLD5rb_h-QXs/s640/blogger-image-348518986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOFXUd7TM3x9LiWujoCY1pQlv2DAoKDCM3NEcCddrXrpqea6EMp9xb9LHsG4ozjIOlySLFTDF76SgmpQ4xSs_aWa-c2eB9E0coJziwc8qrqZZaCtsqOVXHCtjk2DB9y-gLD5rb_h-QXs/s640/blogger-image-348518986.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I wander up a street market where mainly Hmong have set up shop on the footpath. Same, same. But on the corner are four beautiful ladies with the traditional red headdress of the Red Dao people. They didn't hastle me to buy anything and just smiled and asked me how old I was touching their hair. I told them, they seemed surprised. I asked how old they were and they said 50, beautifully smooth skin but their faces showed hardship that we do not know about in our countries. I felt sad for them. Interestingly of the four, three wore glasses which I had not seen on tribal people before. One of the ladies even had the sticker on hers showing the strength.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz7ofJAQK_UOBZsglELhelDvx6rXcwPEF8UQ4O2k8lO8-YTpRuLBtNP9UfGA4nxnOOH8zRazGZ9uBHhicTxCOcq2W0_st1gUvpix3lzg0iRs2tGD3OgeTot7GDo91xgaAVDNDjQ_3ros/s640/blogger-image-448315120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZz7ofJAQK_UOBZsglELhelDvx6rXcwPEF8UQ4O2k8lO8-YTpRuLBtNP9UfGA4nxnOOH8zRazGZ9uBHhicTxCOcq2W0_st1gUvpix3lzg0iRs2tGD3OgeTot7GDo91xgaAVDNDjQ_3ros/s640/blogger-image-448315120.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I think about that I remember the number of Hmong women I have seen with gold teeth; not one but many women often with multiple gold teeth. I haven't seen any with teeth missing. Being a Hmong tourist tout obviously pays well. The young lady that attached herself to me yesterday, sidles up to me as I wander and tells me I need to buy something. Sorry love, but I have now spent the money. I saw her later and she glared at me. Another one that I didnt buy from called out after me for the world to hear "eff you kay", and yet another grumped at me. I'm glad I didn't indulge them. Signs around town say not to buy from them so glad I did the right thing. Below is a group trying to weasel something out of yet another unsuspecting tourist.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYWy4UnCgdaenqGyKB7TOINE2dTifF5ecACHcVElAYtyaWrDk4CPkv-qT6CYb8hhGxdyp9NUR6eqPXgOtKlwNNKPO6ym_WdbckD7kla6ae42G1cgFx4a8S1K_cy05afR50zrBiamBorU/s640/blogger-image-1026987548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYWy4UnCgdaenqGyKB7TOINE2dTifF5ecACHcVElAYtyaWrDk4CPkv-qT6CYb8hhGxdyp9NUR6eqPXgOtKlwNNKPO6ym_WdbckD7kla6ae42G1cgFx4a8S1K_cy05afR50zrBiamBorU/s640/blogger-image-1026987548.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Reflecting back on my trip it is one of the few where I haven't spent time with local people and learned of their way of life and although I have seen lots I don't feel as though I have experienced much at all and certainly haven't learned much. My closest contact with locals was in HCMC with crazy Philip, the SiMueng/That Luang Festival, Christmas Eve in Hanoi, the street children of Sapa and the small contact with the Hmong at Ock Pop Tok in Luang Prabang. The rest of the time has mainly been going from one westernised tourist trap to another aimlessly wandering the streets like I have done here. Seems a waste of three months, but then that wasn't my primary reason for coming anyway. It has however fuelled my fire to get back to Africa and the Middle East which is where my heart has always been.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Fried Rice done I am going in search of a coffee to stretch out the afternoon. As I walk I get a glimpse of some rice fields in the distance. The mist is clearing and so I go in search of a photo, just one that might prove that I have been. The other pics I can steal from elsewhere or from the picture postcards that inspired me to come. Maybe my amazing experience in the rice paddies of Bali will have to suffice.</div><div><br></div><div>It is still very misty and I try many options on the camera so not sure what has worked and what hasnt. I can only imagine how spectacular the scenery must be when the rice is planted and the sun is shining. It looks magical in the postcards. Even through the mist I can see the shapes of the fields and the irrigation channels running round the sides allowing the water to move from one paddy to the next.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F7W9DSURvi4XQQ2ojHON6WbzAUvbXMl5JpIREnSAS_FiNk7yioldxK3pxVvkRHk8e2Imt3zGsYZbpFMPJHeHsA0xfMmv7PUTGbFXZ2pxGfLPBjpR6m3sMyaTZZRvO2nNxvFjRe_t2KQ/s640/blogger-image-327167583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F7W9DSURvi4XQQ2ojHON6WbzAUvbXMl5JpIREnSAS_FiNk7yioldxK3pxVvkRHk8e2Imt3zGsYZbpFMPJHeHsA0xfMmv7PUTGbFXZ2pxGfLPBjpR6m3sMyaTZZRvO2nNxvFjRe_t2KQ/s640/blogger-image-327167583.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoU58n5Hb-fOqpB-H5sLRc69ltUbzIS-d9MF_D7jt2u_vrRXTZZnNqnYt6qSVnTixLw5qrg5eTRkzS_gOmtQ2b6zVYJpxQXFpVcUYo4lU6fJRhOslzpUCWl6CIdHkpMxaIku2RvfFXVs/s640/blogger-image-1268632588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoU58n5Hb-fOqpB-H5sLRc69ltUbzIS-d9MF_D7jt2u_vrRXTZZnNqnYt6qSVnTixLw5qrg5eTRkzS_gOmtQ2b6zVYJpxQXFpVcUYo4lU6fJRhOslzpUCWl6CIdHkpMxaIku2RvfFXVs/s640/blogger-image-1268632588.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DCkyky_3UN55Psnymc1Aqi44jtxPfwkdsZdJlN2rHe62tjdOfGQEkJyRLgI_bPrVB_hZlv36zR9sYuicELDZb31QO1kOniyKPwaDwvBcDYaIHXarrqI9eMnMdHIUkA60csS8-hg0xC0/s640/blogger-image-399997400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DCkyky_3UN55Psnymc1Aqi44jtxPfwkdsZdJlN2rHe62tjdOfGQEkJyRLgI_bPrVB_hZlv36zR9sYuicELDZb31QO1kOniyKPwaDwvBcDYaIHXarrqI9eMnMdHIUkA60csS8-hg0xC0/s640/blogger-image-399997400.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I go for a long walk and as it nears 3:30 I start to think of a hot drink and maybe some food before my trip. Too late the power is now out around the hotel <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">area and the best I can get is a Vietnamese Instant Coffee, putrid but hot, at the hotel where I stayed. One of the guests comes to say that lights aren't working. No one knows how to explain, so I do. She isn't given a torch or any solution and the staff carry on chatting and giggling. I would have thought that where power failures are regular, and in a multi storey hotel, that a torch in the room and in the reception would be a minimum. Most of the staff speak minimal english and no French which is weird since the place is advertised on English websites and on international booking sites. Whenever I speak to the receptionist she gives me a pained look and shakes her head. Sometimes she answers with something totally unrelated to my question. In the end I gave up, stopped asking questions and ate elsewhere.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I sit, getting colder, drinking this putrid excuse for a coffee I am given a plate of sweet coconut which comes in short lengths of something that looks like white lasagna. It is coated with icing sugar and tastes weird but quite nice. The sweetness is good and by the time I finish the plateful have decided that I really like it. yum. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sitting here I can see kids playing a game similar to badminton, with a shuttlecock type thing. Instead of the racket they use their feet. Some tourists join in and everyone laughs. The tourists have the advantage of longer legs but no one seems to mind. Further down the road I saw people playing badminton and cheered them on as they won points.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD825KXzZWr1baTLxx2gAPssB6ZxZUTSEcbvIwTaJzutkGYJMZayS0GGiLq-nd_8yHD-TJP68sF4e7pz_5L8bWRWKyYgh241PoUymoVnDCEuD42PZnlQlo1vKwEf-iZEXtWZN9YgJm5wk/s640/blogger-image--1148250785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD825KXzZWr1baTLxx2gAPssB6ZxZUTSEcbvIwTaJzutkGYJMZayS0GGiLq-nd_8yHD-TJP68sF4e7pz_5L8bWRWKyYgh241PoUymoVnDCEuD42PZnlQlo1vKwEf-iZEXtWZN9YgJm5wk/s640/blogger-image--1148250785.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Eventually the mini bus arrives and I am on my way to Lao Cai to get the train back to Hanoi. The light is low but the scenery stupendous. One day when I buy a decent camera I am going to come back this way, drive myself to some point along the road, avoid Sapa, but do the photo shoot thing. It is datk when we arrive in Lao Cai. I am quite apprehensive about sharing a cabin again, with other people I dont know. It could be anyone. When I go get my ticket I stress that I want an upper bunk and she grabs a pre-printed ticket from the pile and gives it to me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Eventually the doors open and all hell breaks loose with people scrambling for the train leaving just before mine. Basic, very basic. Wooden seats for a 12 hour overnight train ride. No thanks. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Soon my train arrives and we pile on board. I am the first in my carriage and dump my things to claim my spot. I turn around to go out to the loo and trying to get in the door are the girls that I shared with two nights ago. Totally random choice of berth numbers and another amazing coincidence. It was like a family reunion. I was so relieved and it was hugs all round. These girls are amazing. They have clothed nearly 300 kids in the region with shoes, socks, gloves, jackets and a pair of trousers. Many had never had real shoes before. And the girls are so humble about what they have done. Amazing and I am so humbled and honoured that I had the chance to be part of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtS6OZRMn-nb_A-Mrdx-CW-s1Ac-0DshVD9DuzuOv9KEJd5kWBXEDY9JcFafXKSeqKyu1rGLTfn4im_NedL9ncpUzRkyNUAm82Eb-01sWCv_Q8yJQ4DZ-y4ocRrCBRYdN0OCJLEbmOWw/s640/blogger-image-2110446696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtS6OZRMn-nb_A-Mrdx-CW-s1Ac-0DshVD9DuzuOv9KEJd5kWBXEDY9JcFafXKSeqKyu1rGLTfn4im_NedL9ncpUzRkyNUAm82Eb-01sWCv_Q8yJQ4DZ-y4ocRrCBRYdN0OCJLEbmOWw/s640/blogger-image-2110446696.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The train system is a bit of a laugh. Different companies run different carraiges on the same train it appears. All the same class but some classier than others. This one that I am in is spotless, newer than the last. Beds (4 to a cabin) are made up with clean white sheets, a lovely pillow and duvet and we get complimentary water, beer and coke. Pretty nice for about $20 each way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We snuggle in, I pop a bluey and good night all. My bunk is hard, but it is toasty warm and I am happy. Goodnight from the rail to Hanoi.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Alas the sleep I had the first night was a one off. That train was so smooth and we all got a good nights sleep. This one was giggling, noisy, shaky, hot - all sorts, so we all arrived Hanoi feeling rotten. One of the guys helped me get a cab at a good price and I made it to the airport with 4 hours to kill before my flight. Not a good place to spend alot of time. Little good food, cold seats and right now my head is spinning and I need a nap, with no place to do it. I'm even too early to check in and they were asking a silly amount to change me to the earlier flight. And so I wait.........</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Eventually I find a seat, cold metal, uncomfortable and next to me a guy whistles, badly. I so want to whack him one. Just as I start to get comfy I realise it is time for me to check in which I do without any issues and then wander upstairs, where I had been told there was no food unless I was flying international. Duh! four restaurants here. Two run by the same crowd, one by the crowd that made me the tasteless Pho earlier this morning, so that rules them out. The othr has a photo of pizza outside so I settle on that, although really want some big time protein to give me a burst.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My waitress somes to see what I want, holding one nostril whilst sniffing through the other. If I hadn't been so tired and lacking in energy I would have left right then, but am at the stage where I cant be picky. My previous attempt at eating today was a waste of time and money. The Pho totally tasteless and the coffee average and at NZ prices. Oh well, hopefully the omelet I order will do the trick and another waitress, sans nose drip, delivers it. Fresh pineapple juice is good so that bodes well. Anyway they have wifi so if nothing else can use their access to post this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My omelet arrives, served by a guy, sans drip and looks yum. I like the way they make them into a wee roll thing. Hope it tastes as good.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWj26k2XctLvelFK3W0x7VgMJIsem3irn2AaNCoWLuH_fte_2tqJxugv0mXAHLw63Bfz1bG75CKbVLpF4cJ91Qnsnfmd09bfKotQOqgoYDleeqQl632N8wYXasiQ-LYYXTVBh4i4hLBY/s640/blogger-image--674052199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWj26k2XctLvelFK3W0x7VgMJIsem3irn2AaNCoWLuH_fte_2tqJxugv0mXAHLw63Bfz1bG75CKbVLpF4cJ91Qnsnfmd09bfKotQOqgoYDleeqQl632N8wYXasiQ-LYYXTVBh4i4hLBY/s640/blogger-image--674052199.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Next update from Hoi An where I go by cab or shuttle after arriving into Da Nang by air. Matt and Amy will be waiitng in a hotel that apparently is real noisy. I so want to go home right at this minute.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The weather may not have been good enough to get any photos but thanks to some commercially bought postcards I have some images of the sort of thing I would have seen had the weather been better. If I ever come this way again I get a car from the train station, drive much of the way to Sapa, but not all the way into town, take some pics and drive out again. From what I saw on the drive back to the train the scenery on that road was stupendous.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9PhNtOc3hNAWJd0qHdW4CyhuPH81gV0MU2YXpW4EmjbsMY0JWUWDzaf7NmyBJVfH6FfJgL9TdXDRVjs2cXjvmPAi1JWRhGPMRNlK0wNm4xyr4y1bwfwnbYGCMStf2bKih0JHEjcVo60/s640/blogger-image--1198933321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9PhNtOc3hNAWJd0qHdW4CyhuPH81gV0MU2YXpW4EmjbsMY0JWUWDzaf7NmyBJVfH6FfJgL9TdXDRVjs2cXjvmPAi1JWRhGPMRNlK0wNm4xyr4y1bwfwnbYGCMStf2bKih0JHEjcVo60/s640/blogger-image--1198933321.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgR16svSb4Jin_lUBc6WpqdlO4w38KM8rFlJ4FDqY8jVIqsEAKKw89rq09nypkASjefYDIFTtkRcpDLjRUHpXSmUdm97faMz7WaYakbtS5snhbn4zk5kHTZ8z6iUmroCir_StcMU_aW4/s640/blogger-image-1187565133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgR16svSb4Jin_lUBc6WpqdlO4w38KM8rFlJ4FDqY8jVIqsEAKKw89rq09nypkASjefYDIFTtkRcpDLjRUHpXSmUdm97faMz7WaYakbtS5snhbn4zk5kHTZ8z6iUmroCir_StcMU_aW4/s640/blogger-image-1187565133.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTyBBaK68lA_G5wHIjUrF0ec5CJL3XQFoEWZvhJdgbWbqPtHefGe9wvgKkZfpcvEZpy2ZjLl8AARiO4TnyfcjZbnuAQ7FdTHouMn0dj405gIvWnVR-OIdUafvnUS4wEyTZacpLUc_r0M/s640/blogger-image-394832277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTyBBaK68lA_G5wHIjUrF0ec5CJL3XQFoEWZvhJdgbWbqPtHefGe9wvgKkZfpcvEZpy2ZjLl8AARiO4TnyfcjZbnuAQ7FdTHouMn0dj405gIvWnVR-OIdUafvnUS4wEyTZacpLUc_r0M/s640/blogger-image-394832277.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-75140746613295148622013-12-28T16:00:00.001+12:002013-12-31T23:35:03.355+12:00The end of the train rideArriving at Lao Cai someone is there to meet me and show me to a mini bus. A 12 seater that expands to a 16 seater. It has room for about 5 bags in the boot and this space quickly gets filled. As we leave I count 28 people and under each seat and the entire aisle are bags. Hilarious, but off we set on our ride to Sapa. I was looking forward to seeing the scenery but somehow nodded off and probably just as well as it was very windy and very steep with huge drops down the side. The sort of road I hate.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBer5L__0c1JoTHnljqgMVNBp2n5DclTJ-abBHgeO5JC-h3aYt_6GlZjdQApp5FO5Scem6GD6B1MRTuKiihGPRcFNVPTZnNL57MfhaTQLkiA5k4y9ck3FbeAx_NknlI6HjyYPM-ETrke4/s640/blogger-image--1224314177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBer5L__0c1JoTHnljqgMVNBp2n5DclTJ-abBHgeO5JC-h3aYt_6GlZjdQApp5FO5Scem6GD6B1MRTuKiihGPRcFNVPTZnNL57MfhaTQLkiA5k4y9ck3FbeAx_NknlI6HjyYPM-ETrke4/s640/blogger-image--1224314177.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4NFAYNxb6ncOODX8lHdOh2EwGlNI87Gec5Cr5bY-GdtGZGNfZERkpD4kyqy9jXze6dgx_8dMfKL6og2f9o0SXEy2N_hcxYp62Zu9s9ABXXKl7GYGk4TrmaD-QgmJOaeruYulKDhDaYg/s640/blogger-image-1017869206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4NFAYNxb6ncOODX8lHdOh2EwGlNI87Gec5Cr5bY-GdtGZGNfZERkpD4kyqy9jXze6dgx_8dMfKL6og2f9o0SXEy2N_hcxYp62Zu9s9ABXXKl7GYGk4TrmaD-QgmJOaeruYulKDhDaYg/s640/blogger-image-1017869206.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>But when I open my eyes I am greeted with the most unimaginable beauty. A shame as it is very misty so colours are dumbed down and visibility is not great, but here I am in this town on the side of a hill, bigger than I expected, a beautiful lake in the middle and the most amazing scenery. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeHGzRSkLoPkVW-tATNo29TvLVuTKfvMTIoBNYRLrHc-t4joon-OzeqoHOn-TNKX-4lX6r7c6kIU7556dDpxlX2fb71wiAUJTtImv-7vVyLy98KhBmk22Gzx4TxsZ4yf85C1Wt3sONss/s640/blogger-image-1245776630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeHGzRSkLoPkVW-tATNo29TvLVuTKfvMTIoBNYRLrHc-t4joon-OzeqoHOn-TNKX-4lX6r7c6kIU7556dDpxlX2fb71wiAUJTtImv-7vVyLy98KhBmk22Gzx4TxsZ4yf85C1Wt3sONss/s640/blogger-image-1245776630.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hmong ladies meet the busses, no doubt wanting to sell stuff.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP01YX-ZvGgOB9X2dKxeL1libyUZ-hZMXv29Yxsvs1sVuZvMcq9GguBcAxvdcKLS1nD9dkmhhkhsOW1hpXdWywCwgC0lk56WB7qiE4nzVq4bYx5Yk0YWzsZYBQPF1D36RM-ctOhvCK_A/s640/blogger-image-1594798963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP01YX-ZvGgOB9X2dKxeL1libyUZ-hZMXv29Yxsvs1sVuZvMcq9GguBcAxvdcKLS1nD9dkmhhkhsOW1hpXdWywCwgC0lk56WB7qiE4nzVq4bYx5Yk0YWzsZYBQPF1D36RM-ctOhvCK_A/s640/blogger-image-1594798963.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I get to the hotel, eager to get moving but I am told there is a complimentary breakfast, so I choose French Toast with grilled bananas and a local honey that is unbelievably good. Ed Bee, sorry you and your honey are off my top list. I finish breakfast grab my backpack and I don the woolies I have there and I'm away exploring.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAuXpfCDv0kFbUK1Ety0xwmZ02eTlVJthlGDQlzxjihz6UolavgSkh91tTE7Sv-ZcdKpd2Rvdr6d6YbPDVi5xtYnSFm-J9I669_0NzXEjE61S3fz_qOVn_5Ifttd80ks1Pz23DaOBV-A/s640/blogger-image-1282400349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAuXpfCDv0kFbUK1Ety0xwmZ02eTlVJthlGDQlzxjihz6UolavgSkh91tTE7Sv-ZcdKpd2Rvdr6d6YbPDVi5xtYnSFm-J9I669_0NzXEjE61S3fz_qOVn_5Ifttd80ks1Pz23DaOBV-A/s640/blogger-image-1282400349.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Turning left I walk straight into a market place, where I immediately find a pair of walking shoes to replace those are a hurting my feet. I pull on a pair of thick sockks and bury my feet in the warm shoes. My top half is warm with a t.shirt, merino, cardigan and a polar fleece. My legs with trackies under travel trousers. And I have a hood for my head. Gloves not needed as I have deep pockets.</div><div><br></div><div>It's different from what I expected. Quite a large town set in the side of the hill, full of tourist shops and many restaurants, mainly western/vietnamese but western style. The scenery that I came to see is obscured by mist and everyhing has a grey hue. Shame. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzG8nfvAyJSJLGkT0e0Ajq3-1qoTz51HgfmVok0ZWP2P2yJrDHFavqaQZVuGlJBH0qtlJQ8BIx374SpLxmyZHL0JxzweekkPKeL7LoHI_8HjciUdN4dpo4zggopCmhBFIms9amyofKqw/s640/blogger-image-790212034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzG8nfvAyJSJLGkT0e0Ajq3-1qoTz51HgfmVok0ZWP2P2yJrDHFavqaQZVuGlJBH0qtlJQ8BIx374SpLxmyZHL0JxzweekkPKeL7LoHI_8HjciUdN4dpo4zggopCmhBFIms9amyofKqw/s640/blogger-image-790212034.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Nevertheless I walk on and wander taking in the sights as best I can in the mist. I pass many food stalls with delicious food ready for BBQing, immaculately clean and no flies. Later I say.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqqSx3QL6kHsgj-QVD1UyOog3BYjsBXO_DZjTv6iTYn1eUmX0wOylzQe1VYEXYDaT0NSsizNBrr6TdIAPmzl8eUHFG-nbSKwfxECP2in1HQgw_BjFFl6vJgUSA5jU99imTtY_B6Zw-PI/s640/blogger-image-551924388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqqSx3QL6kHsgj-QVD1UyOog3BYjsBXO_DZjTv6iTYn1eUmX0wOylzQe1VYEXYDaT0NSsizNBrr6TdIAPmzl8eUHFG-nbSKwfxECP2in1HQgw_BjFFl6vJgUSA5jU99imTtY_B6Zw-PI/s640/blogger-image-551924388.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOmWyQa77El0hreaDnaAhKxSlaZUWNbYDBagiF2DRUpCSaxz5VilWvKRIn4f2l29IQkKszVMwdIee9c8tk7SW52I9etKSP2zwIq6wupf5-g1Hmq2YKzBz5S6Z6TmKjRr5H7WmZeHdBf4/s640/blogger-image--1836723565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOmWyQa77El0hreaDnaAhKxSlaZUWNbYDBagiF2DRUpCSaxz5VilWvKRIn4f2l29IQkKszVMwdIee9c8tk7SW52I9etKSP2zwIq6wupf5-g1Hmq2YKzBz5S6Z6TmKjRr5H7WmZeHdBf4/s640/blogger-image--1836723565.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>A young Black Hmong (I can tell from her outfit), with a baby on her back joins me and starts hastling me to buy buy buy, or come to my village. M neither of which i wanted to do. She tells me she has embroidered all the bags she is selling which I know not to be true as I see the made in china labels on them. Same handcrafts as the Hmong do in Lao but not of the good quality that much of the Lao stuff is. There are Hmong all over the place, mainly selling or wanting to be a guide, but other ethnicities are not so obvious. Shame I was hoping to see some of the others as well. I eventually get rid of the Hmong girl and all the others that have tagged along by telling her that I wil buy one thing from her and only her, tomorrow, but only if the price is right. Lets see what happens.</div><div><br></div><div>I wander on and suddenly I hear my name being called. I look up and there are the girls from my carriage on the train last night. We chat a while and they show me the first group of kids that are going to receive warm clothing. They range from about 2 up to around 10, all homeless and most without jackets and wearing plastic shoes, flip flops or barefoot. It broke my heart. We talk for a while and I keep staring at the wee cold feet but like the wee kids in Kenya see the huge smiles as I look upwards from their feet. These smiles though don't come with the sparkly eyes and most the kids look sad. I couldn't look.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKtwYUC_mM_mYSg2kbSaNOPRSAiX-Y08SPPTkmTrOSSFI_xB-IcSXqE6wS34PFAKenNvMUG06tUtvtPvhvaSqetD2vbHcgsm-LyycOJw9VOX39iYCei4qG7QfaY95IZWREEJnw3Rz-pY/s640/blogger-image--361221759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKtwYUC_mM_mYSg2kbSaNOPRSAiX-Y08SPPTkmTrOSSFI_xB-IcSXqE6wS34PFAKenNvMUG06tUtvtPvhvaSqetD2vbHcgsm-LyycOJw9VOX39iYCei4qG7QfaY95IZWREEJnw3Rz-pY/s640/blogger-image--361221759.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I bid my goodbyes and walk a wee way. I look back over my shoulder then turn back. I couldn't walk off without helping. So spent part of the afternoon helping to distrubute clothes to these poor kids. Some have been abandoned, some orphans due to war, accidents and illness, some of the older ones caring for wee siblings and all looked after by the HOPE group who provide them with a clean but basic bed and meals. The two wee girls in th ephot are sisters. The elder one looks after the younger who has never had proper shoes or a jacket. Just broke my heart. How can wee mites like that not have anyone to care for them and nothing to keep them warm.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KmYfpi6gWMjcxtKYSnO0KWgONyViCDgim_y6gunDTrJjg7zmFPxMr5wufxlvwbaStPr-h2PSJ-W1UuaYHp1TWbkFQ_o-KjysZzRCMwJ-ddt9tbF8B6-SDqcMlbJvGtc5yjWXvRKT-8I/s640/blogger-image-1203373914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KmYfpi6gWMjcxtKYSnO0KWgONyViCDgim_y6gunDTrJjg7zmFPxMr5wufxlvwbaStPr-h2PSJ-W1UuaYHp1TWbkFQ_o-KjysZzRCMwJ-ddt9tbF8B6-SDqcMlbJvGtc5yjWXvRKT-8I/s640/blogger-image-1203373914.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvYWPw7NSy5BC8mRbjcZc001IJ0xOzSqprW3Ok2jPnVhfz-nKC0-sobbhDSuKBzENf4AJJBjzSXg6GdvcPV7giATWpWUu49cMqxmWbjNCD8Ea8DV_BeTO5FTcLLem-OheGSYOpSCG0CU/s640/blogger-image-2065558589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvYWPw7NSy5BC8mRbjcZc001IJ0xOzSqprW3Ok2jPnVhfz-nKC0-sobbhDSuKBzENf4AJJBjzSXg6GdvcPV7giATWpWUu49cMqxmWbjNCD8Ea8DV_BeTO5FTcLLem-OheGSYOpSCG0CU/s640/blogger-image-2065558589.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuzvO6CmeFEtPaGGi7EShpltFY4NZwsuxiASD4lRXZhYkTju3DegkDpjl4S7bTmVvr5d9P93rhtMtvqPtJBXiag-U2mfYN_n-hcSjRGCHsEnKGWU2HfXeFztKbOREcwDCZm93CPywfxo/s640/blogger-image-967712791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuzvO6CmeFEtPaGGi7EShpltFY4NZwsuxiASD4lRXZhYkTju3DegkDpjl4S7bTmVvr5d9P93rhtMtvqPtJBXiag-U2mfYN_n-hcSjRGCHsEnKGWU2HfXeFztKbOREcwDCZm93CPywfxo/s640/blogger-image-967712791.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLadXqbGI_lGd5wT8dQ6yFiK28PAB0LmG81AbTmJNWH21vWxfdB2HBjVcKtWnwsJbChJYbZhYMm9zq0Y4pDMyqk36eMS-QOEW-8V3ab39Nh2dW9NZUzpnKjiumTnf3jEhfbV4ovtwivg/s640/blogger-image-46114392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLadXqbGI_lGd5wT8dQ6yFiK28PAB0LmG81AbTmJNWH21vWxfdB2HBjVcKtWnwsJbChJYbZhYMm9zq0Y4pDMyqk36eMS-QOEW-8V3ab39Nh2dW9NZUzpnKjiumTnf3jEhfbV4ovtwivg/s640/blogger-image-46114392.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDU6bLqlwKH59zGvqIpb5-lcTtW5fCeUvIGFAnai3or7KiUuSspeWsvOBVhh8mhWKGE9JFhoH4RioS7J4XuuSNNRjPYalPrsovpbmFwBpX9DyzXMW0HPv7mYlHa1l2CEMlZ0L9BcvLI0/s640/blogger-image--1411354310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDU6bLqlwKH59zGvqIpb5-lcTtW5fCeUvIGFAnai3or7KiUuSspeWsvOBVhh8mhWKGE9JFhoH4RioS7J4XuuSNNRjPYalPrsovpbmFwBpX9DyzXMW0HPv7mYlHa1l2CEMlZ0L9BcvLI0/s640/blogger-image--1411354310.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and feeling their bodies warm up as I wrapped them in their jacket was indescribable. Here they were getting some pretty cheap items of clothing, in a red plastic bag and they were so so so happy. They knew warmth for the first time in many weeks since it snowed here unexpectedly. As Impulled eaxh wee hand into the jacket sleeve I couldnt help noticing the layers of dirt on their skin and their clothes, caked on. The darlings, they need a hot bath, drying with warm fluffy towels and a night in a warm bed wearing fluffy pjs. Heartbreaking. But their smiles, their sparkling eyes I will not forget in a long time. </div><div><br></div><div>When I saw the kids in the street later on they were waving and calling out to me. Wow. The two beautiful girls that organised this deserve a medal. Amazing to be doing all this for kids they didn't know, in a country they didnt know and using their precious holiday time and money. They fundraised in their homelands (1 from Thailand and the other from Taiwan) before coming to the markets in Hanoi and buying all the stuff. To see more about them search on SHOES FOR SAPA on facebook. They deserve support and will still accept donations so they can ensure that their idea continues beyond this season.</div><div><br></div><div>When I leave the kids it is still misty but my day has been so great I have lost my enthusiasm for much else. It is very cold and the place is swarming with tourists. </div><div><br></div><div>I pass a stall that was BBQing in the sidewalk. They had a wee suckling pig on the spit. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9IjeA0CNjbyl0dv6f4KizcGL2CpmT6ipp_RzllNSavKBNiCNPS999uvKKpgV4GpHOrexFnpMU2NjG3-raXslRydVq2U5FnAHvtjNHIxSjeNEkwGioyMqaq6le_rLcu0Y2Xj_mf-8w0g/s640/blogger-image-51289961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9IjeA0CNjbyl0dv6f4KizcGL2CpmT6ipp_RzllNSavKBNiCNPS999uvKKpgV4GpHOrexFnpMU2NjG3-raXslRydVq2U5FnAHvtjNHIxSjeNEkwGioyMqaq6le_rLcu0Y2Xj_mf-8w0g/s640/blogger-image-51289961.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>An Austrlian guy tels me it is just $7.50 so I hang around to try. It took ages to make them understand what I wanted and I had to keep reminding them that I was waiitng but eventually they cut a piece off the pig and put it on the BBQ to finish cooking it. I also asked for a rice in bamboo and a skewer that had rolls of beef around some green veg. He pulls out a not so clean plastic plate from under the counter and puts my rice and skewer on it and tells me to go sit down while the pork cooks. Both the rice and skewer were yum and then He brings the pork, chopped up nicely on a cleaner plate. Well, $7.50 was a total rip off for some crackling, fat, bone and the tiniest piece of meat that was so </div><div> tough I couldn't chew it. I nibbled on a couple of pieces, nearly choked on the fat, paid my bill $8.00 in total and left. The rice and skewer for .50cents were the best patt amd not just because of the price.</div><div><br></div><div>Not my scene. I think of doing a tour or trek tomorrow to fill time but find out that my choices are limited because I am a solo traveller. I have to check out by noon and dont leave Sapa till 5pm so just hoping that the mist clears so I can at least go out and enjoy the scenery. </div><div><br></div><div>My feet are sore, my back is sore and my throat is sore so I am thinking an early night is in order. I return to my hotel and shiver when I walk into the room.. Despite the heater working in my room it is stil cold and the dehumidifier is obviosuly not that good as everything feels damp. Another night sleeping in these same clothes I think.</div><div><br></div><div>For dinner I walk down to a nice place where I had a coffee earlier today. By day it should look down onto the rice paddys, by night across to the lights of the town which I can only just see because of the mist. It is full of tourists, western and asian, but then I suppose in a tourist town thats what to expect. I order BBQ pork with lemon grass which comes with steamed rice and is exceptionally tender and tasty. The pork sits on one of the BBQ thingies that are supposed to be eexclusive to each of the four countries I have been to, and was very very good.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHNM1qLlh2BOhC6WMSO9mU8kWNF3C7CQzjq9h62_yWcE1Ck-qhDDJBU5bqT6l46_6GuH288y-BbjhzhCEgReQL2SZd3TtMXJNKT-IIHB9gzm2ze5VWfR3JD48kMc1L4ifh6WOTKSPces/s640/blogger-image-668397727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHNM1qLlh2BOhC6WMSO9mU8kWNF3C7CQzjq9h62_yWcE1Ck-qhDDJBU5bqT6l46_6GuH288y-BbjhzhCEgReQL2SZd3TtMXJNKT-IIHB9gzm2ze5VWfR3JD48kMc1L4ifh6WOTKSPces/s640/blogger-image-668397727.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>To finish it off I order rum flambeed banana. I know that everyone would hate it but maybe if you could just have a wee whiff you might change your mind. Sweet soft bananas, slightly charred giving off a smoky taste sitting in a subtle buttery rum sauce. To save my friends I ate it all and nearly asked for seconds. And to top it off, my meal, desert and a coke cost less than the pork rubbish I tried to eat for lunch.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnTeW0gumdJtcTTDmT2VKq65fvVToA4VS_afwftH1qDDD9cs4HkwSU9gcwY_ttIS1DQ-00yXv7uPqm67phdM0mdesiwL4jtZcRaAHs3MdZnzvU2PqccBBXFAfKpcpuUxNuPy7MPRkeDs/s640/blogger-image-100681554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnTeW0gumdJtcTTDmT2VKq65fvVToA4VS_afwftH1qDDD9cs4HkwSU9gcwY_ttIS1DQ-00yXv7uPqm67phdM0mdesiwL4jtZcRaAHs3MdZnzvU2PqccBBXFAfKpcpuUxNuPy7MPRkeDs/s640/blogger-image-100681554.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I leave with the intention of having a hot drink at the hotel before going up to bed. Alas the one and only staff member (who barely speaks English or any other language other than Vietnamese) tells me 'no tea' so now I sit at "the Hill Station patiently waiitng for an earl grey. They have some neat seating here. Round glass tables about 18" off the floor with round coils of rope acting as seats. Cute.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeKO99PIPmkadLrT86H0wXb9YdRRgb1r4IYNl3ciSY91ov8DOGaXK2MJdXQoSZAxQrq6WUxReu08dRYdr9xiyX4xhLPFh1zbQnCv2YAv9wgcsyIdGpgnhl1F9jjOS6kFgBZxjmbU0vMs/s640/blogger-image--1425046887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeKO99PIPmkadLrT86H0wXb9YdRRgb1r4IYNl3ciSY91ov8DOGaXK2MJdXQoSZAxQrq6WUxReu08dRYdr9xiyX4xhLPFh1zbQnCv2YAv9wgcsyIdGpgnhl1F9jjOS6kFgBZxjmbU0vMs/s640/blogger-image--1425046887.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Feeling better with a hot tea inside me I return to the hotel and uplift my hotel key. The hotel has rather eclectic furnishings, very tasteful but who ever came up with the idea for the keys needs a lobotomy. It is a small hotel, old, with creaky floors, creaky doors that dont close properly so you have to whack them into place. The key hangs off a large wooden cow bell which also has dangles hanging off it. All make a noise. So when opening or closing the door you get the knocking of the cow bell, the tingling of the dangles, the clicking of the noisy lock and the whacking of the door for each open and for each close. Duh!</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48i09QsXQwKm7Gt5UQ-9HKKBO1kls3p768gd4mz6in0NYlSaTfWQWdloezAoot5ZiyVNHgb2MkOoolcmAWqAlXjMCPlX4PsqGm4Kp9-jyvEOcF7fNsK_ziDUnWga3pxwD84k81_7vvs4/s640/blogger-image--491901859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48i09QsXQwKm7Gt5UQ-9HKKBO1kls3p768gd4mz6in0NYlSaTfWQWdloezAoot5ZiyVNHgb2MkOoolcmAWqAlXjMCPlX4PsqGm4Kp9-jyvEOcF7fNsK_ziDUnWga3pxwD84k81_7vvs4/s640/blogger-image--491901859.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I am getting ready for bed (and listening to,someone trying to open their door complete with doorbell, door scraping on the ground, squeaky hinges and hacking cough) I am trying to find something in my bag and then trying to find the light switches! Easy you might ask, but almost every hotel room I have been in over the last two months (and there have been many) has "mood" lighting. So,e have been bright enough to have a bed side lamp as well as the "mood" lighting but most have not. I always wonder why it is called "mood" lighting because most times it is so dim that all it does is get me in a very bad mood because I can't find things, can't read and can't even put makeup of anything on. It's not an Asian thing as it happens all over the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In my current room there is an uplight above the TV set and it shines on the ceiling. Another uplight shines on the ceiling in between two windows. There is no light anywhere near the bed, the mirror or the wardrobe and the light switches for bedroom and bathroom are in the bathroom which is round the corner from the bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The bedside table sits under the window by itself and the hairdryer hangs on a hook miles away from anything including the power plug. But there ate beautiful ornaments. No room for my things. I just trod on my specs which had fallen off the toilet bag which was using the only possible bit of bathroom space. Maybe I shall start designing hotel rooms.........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just heard scuttling noises and look out the window to investigate. I could see a truck with whatblooked like huge baskets. Then one of them moved, then a tail waggled and I realised that therewere probably 60 huge pigs on this truck, all lying down in large bamboo baskets, all grunting and wiggling. It made me realise that this corner is the closest road entry to the market opposite. Bugger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The pigs start to squeal, loudly. Oh no, please stop I do not want to be put off pork for life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am complaining too much, time to go home to my quiet house, my mad cat, my warmth, amazing shower and tidy clothes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-60130620786134903442013-12-27T21:19:00.001+12:002013-12-29T02:01:34.034+12:00Last Day in HanoiMy last day in this insane but magical city started by saying goodbye to the Bainbridge clan who were off to Ho Chi Minh.<div><br></div><div>Matt was busy so Amy and I went and got our hair washed, blowdried and straightened for the massive price of $7.50 each. It is fun watching the different techniques amd seeing two guys holding hairdriers straight at my hair, watching in awe as it grew wider and wider as it dried. I guess it must be weird for them after the hair they are used to working with, but considering they did a great job and I left happy, with straight hair.</div><div><br></div><div>Over the road was a spa waiting to welcome us so we went for a foot massage. From the lovely clean and western style recpetion area in one of the tall skinny buildings we were led out a side door into a paved and grotty lane. Ugh! But then into the door of another part of the building where we were taken up a few flights of steps to a room with four massage tables, clean, and set up like a western style place.</div><div><br></div><div>We had to strip off and then given some knee length wide pants to wear. Maybe we were getting a full massage and not just the leg one. Well almost. A great leg massgae and a brilliant back massage that went all the way down my back. None of this namby pamby stuff we have at home where they stop at your waist. It was wonderful except that it was a cold room and we were cold. Oh well, it was still great and worth the $10 each that we paid. </div><div><br></div><div>Lunch followed at a street stall. Fried rice which was very very tasty and a huge plate cost $10 for both of us. Brilliant, hairdo, massage and lunch for $45 for two and all superb.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5sz-Jflvcf2TlsP0x96jxMdeh2yb7k22vA2nXQEI_nCZ8mu46AuYcpTNtXOeUgB3L5LyKBeKUc0qt2hqT0L9X8MtEWLgOPF1MjcWJq-oJuMiAsfbLqUAIf-BDdmHFHTsfgq5ujzu_8M/s640/blogger-image--1497368742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5sz-Jflvcf2TlsP0x96jxMdeh2yb7k22vA2nXQEI_nCZ8mu46AuYcpTNtXOeUgB3L5LyKBeKUc0qt2hqT0L9X8MtEWLgOPF1MjcWJq-oJuMiAsfbLqUAIf-BDdmHFHTsfgq5ujzu_8M/s640/blogger-image--1497368742.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Not really having any plans and with 7 hours to kill before I need to be at my pick up point for Sapa, so I started walking. Right up the east side of the old quarter, criss crossing to cover every road and then down the west side. I have now seen every street and can officially say I am ready to move on from the Old Quarter. Next time I visit Hanoi it will be in another part of the city as the differences between the areas are huge. But everywhere it is vibrant, noisy and the people are so friendly, helpful and always smiling. I love it. Stil havent had a rickshaw ride but the novelty has worn off. I am ready to move on.</span></div><div><br></div><div>I go to the hotel, collect my bags and make my way to 6 on Sixteen, a boutique hotel and restaurant and my pick up point for the train. Cute wee place but I am the only retauatrant customer and can't be bothered looking elsewhere.</div><div><br></div><div>I order the Bun Cha, the Hanoi Specialty, which I have tried before but this sounds more like what I expected. Meal ordered I wait and hear the constant ping of the microwave. It does not bode well but I need to eat before getting on the train as there is no food available on board. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My suspicions confirmed. It was a very lousy meal. BBQ pork that has been micrwaved is not good. The broth was tasty once I got through the layer of fat on the top and the rest of the meal was made up of overcooked noodles and strips of cucumber and carrot. Not my best choice. Still there is time...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I quickly scuttle down the road to grab something else and then right in front of me I spy Highlands. O thank you whoever put it there. Passionfruit mojito and fries sounds like just what I needed and was spot on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My hip is giving me gyp. I suspect that my massage has tweaked something and I am thinking how I will survive the night sleeping on the train. I guess I will soon find out but something is telling me I shouldn't be going. Too late now all booked and paid for so I can't change my mind and I am sure all will be fine.... Watch this space</span></div><div><br></div><div>My ride arrives and I am on my way to the train station to catch the overnight train to Sapa. I am put in taxi with a guy following on the bike and soon arrive at the rather basic railway station. We push through to the front of the group waiting for the doors to open. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They soon do and we walk across the tracks about 50 yards, cursing that I do not have the pack. Wheelie bags, uneven ground and train tracks do not go well together.</span></div><div><br></div><div>We find my cabin which I am sharing with three others; a thai woman, her daughter and the daughters Taiwanese friend. All off to Sapa with huge quantities of shoes, socks and jerseys for the people who are experiencing the coldest winter in 120 years and have recently had to contend with snow. And I was worried about taking my cabin sized bag on board. It takes a while for the to fit all their stuff in but eventually we are all sorted.</div><div><br></div><div>I settle into the upper bunk, quite comfortable, very clean but basic with a lovely pillow and duvet. I pop a pill, struggle to get comfy with my sore hip. During the night I notice that the train stops regularly but so dark outside I can not see a thing. Most of the time the train travells very smooth, you can barely tell that you are in a train and I suspect it is going very slow. The lousy photo was taken from my upper berth and has picked up someone walking past in the corridor, but the girls got some great ones of all of us squeezed around their bags of stuff for the kids.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr95kr39Qp2BcaYfV-d7qvdYQBSr1Wa8jVYAXMUIMZCg0vxHktwKJaMKXd65fd6-XJxAWH4h3OZHZgmAHVx0fxXK2C1pj0QYB3woyqOdmJy3gOyvtzkQC6QJEQMG562GF8dPSQPqgf1Hw/s640/blogger-image--1723531925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr95kr39Qp2BcaYfV-d7qvdYQBSr1Wa8jVYAXMUIMZCg0vxHktwKJaMKXd65fd6-XJxAWH4h3OZHZgmAHVx0fxXK2C1pj0QYB3woyqOdmJy3gOyvtzkQC6QJEQMG562GF8dPSQPqgf1Hw/s640/blogger-image--1723531925.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Morning arrives quickly and I get up to see the scenery but it is quite boring. The trip wasnt anywhere near as bad as I had imagined and despite waking feeling groggy from the sleeping pill I felt as though I had slept reasonably well. A shower to start the day would have been good but sadly these trains dont stretch that far. There isnt even a lounge or food stall. Loos are there and very clean as well and at the end of each carriage was a wash basin which again was clean and great if you didn't mind the whole world watching you wash.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>The train arrives in Lao Cai and we all pile out. No drama, no fuss. Someone is waiting with a sign with Helen Dodson written on it. I assumed that it was me and made my way to the train waiting area from where we were ushered to the bus waiting area. And the next story starts........</div><div><br></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-90109839754460906992013-12-26T22:02:00.001+12:002013-12-29T01:53:32.665+12:00Boxing Day in Hanoi<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">With nothing special planned the day got off to a late start when I met up with Matt and Amy for a wander through the French Quarter. Very pretty and elegant but lacking the buzz and hilarity of the Old Quarter?</span></div><div><br></div><div>We moved back to the fun part and had a great lunch of fried rice with roast pork while sitting at a roadside stall. The hint of chili oil I drizzled over mine just giving it that bit of a zing. The veg that came with the pork looked real shady but it turned out to be soemhtign like bok choy that probably had been cooked with some sort of seasoning causing it to change colour to khaki but also to be unbelieveably tasty. Real good, real tasty, real cheap.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaY4JPaOedttkizJUUEpf5tew4NVADEl3bshvZ-MxMPo_F54Hzx2823ibMNigjPixjoawz7vwmwmXqpZ0RVnTK0z2GZzIDt_R34eBOj4yHqqsEDzDSKfADcNRT_2bHCoVa1iELFCr1jk/s640/blogger-image--2001791208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaY4JPaOedttkizJUUEpf5tew4NVADEl3bshvZ-MxMPo_F54Hzx2823ibMNigjPixjoawz7vwmwmXqpZ0RVnTK0z2GZzIDt_R34eBOj4yHqqsEDzDSKfADcNRT_2bHCoVa1iELFCr1jk/s640/blogger-image--2001791208.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>From there we returned to the place where I had met my friends a few days prior where we ice creamed and had a coke with Michael's family and then headed off for a stroll round the shops. I was on a mission to find a particular silk shop but realised I was wasting, not only my time, but everyone elses as well and gave up. Some of the hand made quality silk items are divine and I was very tempted to buy something traditional until the brain clicked in to sense mode. The sights neverr fail to amuse.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Modelling on the street. Feather dusters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8chNsvc9TBhRoP-dQ37ikTdbTQVrRCSFBDCu0tydDwoCdeBOvNOlvxpsdJLaiQ_12KWcS4bRBtm89y-JoouD_rWUj5LmlVmrIW5_1iBr61NW174nc4tyMgV0ECZ_6gN6nGod-ZCpQllI/s640/blogger-image--437042993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8chNsvc9TBhRoP-dQ37ikTdbTQVrRCSFBDCu0tydDwoCdeBOvNOlvxpsdJLaiQ_12KWcS4bRBtm89y-JoouD_rWUj5LmlVmrIW5_1iBr61NW174nc4tyMgV0ECZ_6gN6nGod-ZCpQllI/s640/blogger-image--437042993.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qguRxXWx3C4_j2Rib5g3Fqrdty1BRh6bzOuapt2qADuxm03ru7EUq9hupYe4HvFCFN4CBjufHpj5UUjglgTHypVsROgpZ6Pxjmi0RdK2qzz-_snfCkM8z-D9nf3bAqwD0o93ACPKcvs/s640/blogger-image--80149995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qguRxXWx3C4_j2Rib5g3Fqrdty1BRh6bzOuapt2qADuxm03ru7EUq9hupYe4HvFCFN4CBjufHpj5UUjglgTHypVsROgpZ6Pxjmi0RdK2qzz-_snfCkM8z-D9nf3bAqwD0o93ACPKcvs/s640/blogger-image--80149995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What can I say?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkefQzckozABBwmRXaRENeSu5uSnNHoUO3LZIuTRe9pvn2eRc1mIVhnkIhu2vddGuLs3w9JKpM4Ci7vtUSf8VbZUUOpFed-2qjC4DTQsqFKe3ZUEApHIsNa1wNeQas9Ymjunc8NaDoMVs/s640/blogger-image-1442508841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkefQzckozABBwmRXaRENeSu5uSnNHoUO3LZIuTRe9pvn2eRc1mIVhnkIhu2vddGuLs3w9JKpM4Ci7vtUSf8VbZUUOpFed-2qjC4DTQsqFKe3ZUEApHIsNa1wNeQas9Ymjunc8NaDoMVs/s640/blogger-image-1442508841.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Giving up on the silk idea I returned to the hotel to charge all the bits and pieces that seem to constantly run out of juice. I have just realised that the fone runs out of juice because it is constantly looking for reception that is not there and I think that is the thing that also uses up my money as well, so from now on I switch off when not in use.. Reception in Lao especially and also to a lesser extent in Hanoi was very patchy so it keeps trying to find a station. Yesterday in Hanoi I happened uppn a really fast connection round near the lake and for the first time in quite a while managed to download some pics. Yay.</div><div><br></div><div>Refreshed and with a second wind I start walking to find where I need to go tomorrow to the collection point for the train trip, a gorgeous area behind the street running parallel to the lake. I get a bit carried away and keep walking, past the Cathedral and then realise I am on the right track for a restauarnt I want to try.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78jCMMio32FyhBFkxA7m2_Nuy3LOlh460CX7QlnQt0ZimJk-JGRmUHRxlvKkmM7S0EdFJs0e2YLxPKBmO-dKfRRGrGQbJUD0x8aCi642aHgxqRrKgzauc5oR-Uxnt1Z-GXslDwnzldLs/s640/blogger-image-1082196648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78jCMMio32FyhBFkxA7m2_Nuy3LOlh460CX7QlnQt0ZimJk-JGRmUHRxlvKkmM7S0EdFJs0e2YLxPKBmO-dKfRRGrGQbJUD0x8aCi642aHgxqRrKgzauc5oR-Uxnt1Z-GXslDwnzldLs/s640/blogger-image-1082196648.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArh1fJXI4QvAkjCjrGs1-He5tVino2fTGaCLeV_XXbf0AKsLPetJSyckBPZE0NNxvRSgtOhXIuRoueRqZX4EOdM0gQtDowvWdsUfTmBvU1t4IimaeE55RP0yWH16UAupNz4j4RwbBsyM/s640/blogger-image-2060650967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArh1fJXI4QvAkjCjrGs1-He5tVino2fTGaCLeV_XXbf0AKsLPetJSyckBPZE0NNxvRSgtOhXIuRoueRqZX4EOdM0gQtDowvWdsUfTmBvU1t4IimaeE55RP0yWH16UAupNz4j4RwbBsyM/s640/blogger-image-2060650967.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYt0suV-9xDjwD3Wg_dz3n1HkFYfipGgXhMJEIyihl6LEyBFBhhy1YutVAvW86lST1W4saxRiM07vIYM-a_ryo4l32TBrRTzE7nglgkLOHOmEie2x_9veoKXeozixFbCwAdoIuuBCoFg/s640/blogger-image--486776321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYt0suV-9xDjwD3Wg_dz3n1HkFYfipGgXhMJEIyihl6LEyBFBhhy1YutVAvW86lST1W4saxRiM07vIYM-a_ryo4l32TBrRTzE7nglgkLOHOmEie2x_9veoKXeozixFbCwAdoIuuBCoFg/s640/blogger-image--486776321.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkKgPg73O2bSrwRCrXLqphBdyr05pQj5CASpuT3wZyNob871cKayaVgYopcZ8F2FSeVZ_BBHKg9yDa8Pb_H3_6TXWescCGA6MSASBclGNzDP0D-5IvTWWkZUJ_7P5ajH7VFpln7NFaDc/s640/blogger-image-913246090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkKgPg73O2bSrwRCrXLqphBdyr05pQj5CASpuT3wZyNob871cKayaVgYopcZ8F2FSeVZ_BBHKg9yDa8Pb_H3_6TXWescCGA6MSASBclGNzDP0D-5IvTWWkZUJ_7P5ajH7VFpln7NFaDc/s640/blogger-image-913246090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Keep walking Helen. In the meantime the others have been in touch and we agree to all meet at the restauarant. Koto is the place we were going to, a place on a similar bent to Makphet in Vientiane and Family in Phnom Penh which are run by ex street kids who are now learning to cook, wait and manage a business. I like the idea that my dollar will go towards helping some one that may have missed out on other opportunities and just needs a good break. Even though I had heard that the restaurant was great my expectations were not massive, but I should have know better considering its excellent counterpart in Vientiane.</div><div><br></div><div>I soon get to the street and ask where the restaurant is only to be told <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">that it has moved, "but there are lots of other restaurants at the other end of the street", so I go in search. I ask again and get told to turn around and there in front of me is Koto. The others arrive soon after me and the explorataion begins. We decide to order a different meal each and share so we can all taste each one. Very hard to pick the best and I keep changing my mind as each was superb.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIcPDj_ICZ6ZTWhWgst1xvWMUgPgawfdO6nQ0I_VF_ASF4Mxxp2tgqWxPMgbprWYywH86YXXAdGBMpVHtuvtkmSztdFFXhXnUpaY04cPSJ0TchI-XiFVHSwE2TkdTivD1gZttum1Mrdk/s640/blogger-image-396945299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIcPDj_ICZ6ZTWhWgst1xvWMUgPgawfdO6nQ0I_VF_ASF4Mxxp2tgqWxPMgbprWYywH86YXXAdGBMpVHtuvtkmSztdFFXhXnUpaY04cPSJ0TchI-XiFVHSwE2TkdTivD1gZttum1Mrdk/s640/blogger-image-396945299.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Chiili Prawns, delictely spiced in a divine sauce, with steamed rice and veg.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRyjh9Y71lRnD1uDpIikXIvNIdZPL0onE1HNsy0IJOhPx5-61q9Mza9blTCr1X7P228noxB6OZDDPh59NIYAcEqtvqIad3clvGM68e8JeFk-v8pnMQGvcpsuvdy9GWRcrFSxlU-7K7Ks/s640/blogger-image--2125421976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRyjh9Y71lRnD1uDpIikXIvNIdZPL0onE1HNsy0IJOhPx5-61q9Mza9blTCr1X7P228noxB6OZDDPh59NIYAcEqtvqIad3clvGM68e8JeFk-v8pnMQGvcpsuvdy9GWRcrFSxlU-7K7Ks/s640/blogger-image--2125421976.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chicken with lemon grass and a stunning presentation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdddTqEsUYwuYdV7F_EBnHbmJ70OOvdV7tKku-5gp2bAX1qBdvyx5NUuT823-1gFYbXNDg0GiWcWJS0WAJBiU7wGjsCqyzs77PlJZ1iMMav4f9u59OGJPSG4RB5UehsRbtsnK5TuEcD0/s640/blogger-image--1248974383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdddTqEsUYwuYdV7F_EBnHbmJ70OOvdV7tKku-5gp2bAX1qBdvyx5NUuT823-1gFYbXNDg0GiWcWJS0WAJBiU7wGjsCqyzs77PlJZ1iMMav4f9u59OGJPSG4RB5UehsRbtsnK5TuEcD0/s640/blogger-image--1248974383.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Braised Duck to die for, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkJvA-ru3XfSvQrCmugpnMvTQv4O8ebAqzI26dpZdjEsfwO1dboeDc3x01O_H3KdDFcpCto9OrX3mdQEBjkKwfQipoZpzQaM65iAhITjH3ihgRwUsqq9JOS5u64DEjA7PbW32Ww7GLR4/s640/blogger-image-1925794130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkJvA-ru3XfSvQrCmugpnMvTQv4O8ebAqzI26dpZdjEsfwO1dboeDc3x01O_H3KdDFcpCto9OrX3mdQEBjkKwfQipoZpzQaM65iAhITjH3ihgRwUsqq9JOS5u64DEjA7PbW32Ww7GLR4/s640/blogger-image-1925794130.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beef inside bamboo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Bz-zAfxfFlFf_60OwvS2uvzYSRBrkHtU5kYAkYDxAX8qUmqHtXm5homPSp5d6mF3h9JmcFo56NdBBH-hzLKkT6KVyZlekYQRIkLnFy_FUfRVEso4SR_YtLGA8HuDlzX23LdiWjATcTA/s640/blogger-image--679827719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Bz-zAfxfFlFf_60OwvS2uvzYSRBrkHtU5kYAkYDxAX8qUmqHtXm5homPSp5d6mF3h9JmcFo56NdBBH-hzLKkT6KVyZlekYQRIkLnFy_FUfRVEso4SR_YtLGA8HuDlzX23LdiWjATcTA/s640/blogger-image--679827719.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">BBQ pork and noodles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip31QKONK9gPf4jvFo1cOCDqfC9Ukky5oGRRNc6C4Urlx2qLIwmWVoK29jXeKQ6w5EmQIpzTTqkZyBeahMfUn2tAwlmKjNzh6BwQZRgZqiqwP1WqQALppFU6WY2sI2RmKI_1vfxSh14nk/s640/blogger-image-562362053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip31QKONK9gPf4jvFo1cOCDqfC9Ukky5oGRRNc6C4Urlx2qLIwmWVoK29jXeKQ6w5EmQIpzTTqkZyBeahMfUn2tAwlmKjNzh6BwQZRgZqiqwP1WqQALppFU6WY2sI2RmKI_1vfxSh14nk/s640/blogger-image-562362053.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div><div>Fish cakes to make our own spring rolls with</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzzbYb-nYRV25BlWemaeoxfnSPKFnSn_uf82Fu_DSxeNceaGMdqY-_wFjoGBkT5OWsTYYd0ZNukTpoA_TCkhj8mojvtDJfp3LjKcjLKYSpy8fBISLreuzFwDd4ajlbtoFp9vCO3q9s4c/s640/blogger-image-156491264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzzbYb-nYRV25BlWemaeoxfnSPKFnSn_uf82Fu_DSxeNceaGMdqY-_wFjoGBkT5OWsTYYd0ZNukTpoA_TCkhj8mojvtDJfp3LjKcjLKYSpy8fBISLreuzFwDd4ajlbtoFp9vCO3q9s4c/s640/blogger-image-156491264.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And finished off, for me, with French Apple Tart with cinamon ice cream</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5K-jm_xFP9z6AuE6w-Qhiz78Cv70kvGClTF1Li8ijAWY4tU34V3dTrGaxQlODVAm88OlufPP4WC1TGAoQDF9bYzcO4BcLivBJ6LvMZ6r6TwdN-EL2h9nIwnOtpD2SEDFh2O8w9Wt1YI/s640/blogger-image--1123419986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5K-jm_xFP9z6AuE6w-Qhiz78Cv70kvGClTF1Li8ijAWY4tU34V3dTrGaxQlODVAm88OlufPP4WC1TGAoQDF9bYzcO4BcLivBJ6LvMZ6r6TwdN-EL2h9nIwnOtpD2SEDFh2O8w9Wt1YI/s640/blogger-image--1123419986.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br><div>One of the memorable meals from Hanoi. Cost including drinks about $20 each</div><div><br></div><div>But it needed walking off so I walked back to the hotel. It turned out to be not so far as it only took 20 minutes to the edge of the lake. I stopped counting after that as I kept getting sidetracked by the shops.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-74333447335406161582013-12-26T13:33:00.001+12:002013-12-26T13:33:48.820+12:00Merry ChristmasChristmas Eve turned into Christmas day with me continuing my blog so I could share my experience at the lake where I walked with thousands of locals celebrating the Christian event. The majority of Vietnamese adherre to the "Trip.e Religion", a mixture of a number of different religions but most identify with Buddism. There ate about 10% catholics, a few muslims and a number of other "mixture" eastern religions but for the most part are not Christians. What an experience it was and an evening I will remember for a very long time. I had to get it down before the euphoria wore off.<div><br></div><div>After a few short hours sleep I was up and about again and I hit the streets about 6:30 to deliver Santa balloons to both the kids. One just next to my hotel room, the other at another hotel. It was great being out so early watching people having their morning pho before work, seated on their minature seats on the sidewalk. Just wonderful. Most everyone is having their morning Pho but every now and then I see a vendor preparing a baguette for someone. I would,really like to try one but very sceptical of the mushy pate looking stuff that goes in. No one seems to be able to tell me what the pate stuff is, so for the time being I will give it a miss. The bread is of the sweeter variety and that doesn't appeal either. Pho to start the day, definitely.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfL37Jvm3LmfBSH05-vz3T1HrsTgvknDUdNajZ75nO1SUtascc3m4r8L7xPra2Ee69Feev8298NX3qNZOs9aaAEopMk5TcGYU3aCaaSm0-pk8cETCX9DoutvT-01KmuYF59CfE3v-cOs/s640/blogger-image--1146503279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfL37Jvm3LmfBSH05-vz3T1HrsTgvknDUdNajZ75nO1SUtascc3m4r8L7xPra2Ee69Feev8298NX3qNZOs9aaAEopMk5TcGYU3aCaaSm0-pk8cETCX9DoutvT-01KmuYF59CfE3v-cOs/s640/blogger-image--1146503279.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j2uesc2-J4kiiXI3Pc1A__yIrX53hJ1aIP_FLJzIHfEdWLY9tqwjCLXNQPgWut-b1m4xjjfXFhZJU4Dxz4gbZQ1_ctYGa0I1zKul0b18AVa7nBTv-7OjG8Mnmq1ufuEoCMw4Mg-BNuY/s640/blogger-image--1007393134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j2uesc2-J4kiiXI3Pc1A__yIrX53hJ1aIP_FLJzIHfEdWLY9tqwjCLXNQPgWut-b1m4xjjfXFhZJU4Dxz4gbZQ1_ctYGa0I1zKul0b18AVa7nBTv-7OjG8Mnmq1ufuEoCMw4Mg-BNuY/s640/blogger-image--1007393134.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The traffic was a little gentler but still slightly manic with motorbikes coming towards me, darting quickly to the side, swerving, tooting all while I slowly cross the street. Despite driving whilst texting, talking or watching what is happening in the world they are also focussed on what is happening on the street. Our drivers could,learn a lot about driving skills and reactions from these guys.</span></div><div><br></div><div>A few quick calls home to say Merry Christmas and it was time for some sightseeing.</div><div><br></div><div>I caught a cab to the Ho Chi Minh Museum, a fabulous building to symbolise a huge white lotus, "built to satisfy the aspirations of the Vietnamese people to show their gratitude to the President" ( from the Museum brochure). The museum houses imformation about the President and about Vietnamese history and is extremely well done and worth a visit.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXzs_xSJtacqM9RzmUMa0GH5ft2yhFio441Y9_c9csTiUE0llRrjSHkF8I5Bdr94S1UFe__vloHIT5k6bqgSohntIXt2zVot_72ixBRjIEfRl_eT02XPAH39Rvsg577krwtL53P1UKVg/s640/blogger-image-2099298455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXzs_xSJtacqM9RzmUMa0GH5ft2yhFio441Y9_c9csTiUE0llRrjSHkF8I5Bdr94S1UFe__vloHIT5k6bqgSohntIXt2zVot_72ixBRjIEfRl_eT02XPAH39Rvsg577krwtL53P1UKVg/s640/blogger-image-2099298455.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhlqdiTe7dipuGv-W2rYH6B07s4FLWaSSwUfz45xxvfSlroOGpgN3z3IfG6pEfw5U_1dei01oqGaI1qPdUHPDYXBbguMs-7e89DJMZ20VUnsux3ROFjtvyeZCuYYm-LmtEBOvlL-AsdU/s640/blogger-image-1963452561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhlqdiTe7dipuGv-W2rYH6B07s4FLWaSSwUfz45xxvfSlroOGpgN3z3IfG6pEfw5U_1dei01oqGaI1qPdUHPDYXBbguMs-7e89DJMZ20VUnsux3ROFjtvyeZCuYYm-LmtEBOvlL-AsdU/s640/blogger-image-1963452561.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>On the same area of land also sits the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where you can get a glimpse of his sarcophagus, which didn't interest me, particularly when I saw the queues waiting to go in. I did a wander of the surrounding area though and enjoyed the perfumed pagoda before I made my way home again.</div><div><br></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNyjfoBNKg8ysg4Jmq2Okk_hL2nxHJTrR-0IXu_81iHAUYb4592ztwC2wTRv6P5rZlX4pP4XWdDmfYDeRreDlEdztMlciAYYnS61udyuqrhsePfEPtIa7iqTXiUlQ1d9vt60mZGtLYEw/s640/blogger-image-1604189193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNyjfoBNKg8ysg4Jmq2Okk_hL2nxHJTrR-0IXu_81iHAUYb4592ztwC2wTRv6P5rZlX4pP4XWdDmfYDeRreDlEdztMlciAYYnS61udyuqrhsePfEPtIa7iqTXiUlQ1d9vt60mZGtLYEw/s640/blogger-image-1604189193.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3_gyBeftSnj24AQ1-euy3uAh1EgbkuHcCgp_ghd7aWj9iJFIg4himBHVm39ZLbphfcFWFra0BaipOrCe5Z2NpR2GtkrhuBQJyDuth0vp1tvVftulP5PBRM05cWkV6TXsLr43C6f8ZOE/s640/blogger-image-1012770395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3_gyBeftSnj24AQ1-euy3uAh1EgbkuHcCgp_ghd7aWj9iJFIg4himBHVm39ZLbphfcFWFra0BaipOrCe5Z2NpR2GtkrhuBQJyDuth0vp1tvVftulP5PBRM05cWkV6TXsLr43C6f8ZOE/s640/blogger-image-1012770395.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Time for a wander with Amy and Matt before we met up with the Bainbridge clan and we all piled into cabs for a trip to Don's Bistro, our lunch venue on the edge of West Lake, a huge and gorgeous lake north west of where we were staying. Stunning views and a Canadian inspired Christmas lunch awaited. The lobster bisque was my favourite, although to me it tasted more like a squid reduction with bits of crab. The crunchy lacy garnish reminded me of sheep's stomach but once I got past that the bisque itself was very yum. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vuBs7tnBylueqkMYz8NvymbDiUjGk_NvP-dY-qn3yjqt_WtiMSb2IzuI7IwyXRH0ZQdoFj5VrsNuzP01y-jBoqrTid33WuaH9RXx4qvGBa2rDpiWDLyydAYhZbsMJQthPzOyvsgienI/s640/blogger-image--1369021445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vuBs7tnBylueqkMYz8NvymbDiUjGk_NvP-dY-qn3yjqt_WtiMSb2IzuI7IwyXRH0ZQdoFj5VrsNuzP01y-jBoqrTid33WuaH9RXx4qvGBa2rDpiWDLyydAYhZbsMJQthPzOyvsgienI/s640/blogger-image--1369021445.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>On our return we hopped out of the cab at the Dong Xian wholesale markets where we had a nosey. This is where the people with market stalls come to buy thier wares and like similar places in other places was a concentration of cheap nasty stuff at ridiculously low prices. At least this one there was room to manoeuvre and it was pretty clean, unlike its counterpart in HCMC. I think the nicest one was in Siem Reap. </div><div><br></div><div>Wandering on we watched the pavement goings on of this amazing city and eventually made it back to our hotels, unintentionally by the long route and taking in the sights as we went.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9_O_F6VLwvP7CYaaxd8DEu7o-A6l6H9eTOQ5emwlJ5Gnmpp5UlDSJkxARu4AGy6AuomQKVCf3szBp-_mFV9JCVu9ChtCnYxDfddiZsfS_c4i60mLChD62UHv-Pj7Wp5X7g-UsWgqLAw/s640/blogger-image--2051909420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9_O_F6VLwvP7CYaaxd8DEu7o-A6l6H9eTOQ5emwlJ5Gnmpp5UlDSJkxARu4AGy6AuomQKVCf3szBp-_mFV9JCVu9ChtCnYxDfddiZsfS_c4i60mLChD62UHv-Pj7Wp5X7g-UsWgqLAw/s640/blogger-image--2051909420.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xxsRHLLFMjjvC_oXVPJc3XBmAqOmvyPcxv0xoHC1VlQaZ0xixYgHiegNaW_rllrECZ_ZhLYx2cnK2V4XLfyDmINM4cr_8h2HrEoUbwpAp-acgcanDtbwnDgp9O_iWB5sZwxcqNn5phQ/s640/blogger-image--1550298169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xxsRHLLFMjjvC_oXVPJc3XBmAqOmvyPcxv0xoHC1VlQaZ0xixYgHiegNaW_rllrECZ_ZhLYx2cnK2V4XLfyDmINM4cr_8h2HrEoUbwpAp-acgcanDtbwnDgp9O_iWB5sZwxcqNn5phQ/s640/blogger-image--1550298169.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OgQjzOxAGf1LSls1AzjPYbR8FkqBjrue7ZxCl9qB0huqOHNZ578sBfZuCMPBVB7HONaiyTnbZF-Ny_BOUAcf4rAFYzGjaK-4vB6CHPPZNEgaozIEC-cIS4KcCN0vNDcb5sijd-_-KoQ/s640/blogger-image--1659810258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OgQjzOxAGf1LSls1AzjPYbR8FkqBjrue7ZxCl9qB0huqOHNZ578sBfZuCMPBVB7HONaiyTnbZF-Ny_BOUAcf4rAFYzGjaK-4vB6CHPPZNEgaozIEC-cIS4KcCN0vNDcb5sijd-_-KoQ/s640/blogger-image--1659810258.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-wOdOukemrgZK0BXJ2uAGby9JHknBFPIriHL1STlSuEf1TcfX6jPlS8hE_uJIsvX2mWRKXJ011RxHseEzjRDs3xm-LGL0ICsRr2t2v8f26lU_bED0Tc8_9IaIMP2wH6PKMFT835Hp6E/s640/blogger-image--370281195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-wOdOukemrgZK0BXJ2uAGby9JHknBFPIriHL1STlSuEf1TcfX6jPlS8hE_uJIsvX2mWRKXJ011RxHseEzjRDs3xm-LGL0ICsRr2t2v8f26lU_bED0Tc8_9IaIMP2wH6PKMFT835Hp6E/s640/blogger-image--370281195.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div>Time for a rest before I met up with Matt and Amy and we started a walk round Hoan Kiem Lake, this time without the crowds and euphoria of last night, but nevertheless a lovely stroll on a calm and balmy night. </div><div><br></div><div>We stopped on the way for a delicious Pho Bo that was well worth waiting for. Each mouthful filled my mouth with the heady taste of star anise, the freshness of the coriander and the mint, the sourness of the lime and all with a feint sweentess that just finished it off. The noodles (not too many) swum around the thin slices of what started off as raw beef in the hot broth that slowly changed the beef from its raw pink to its cooked state. Light, tasty, filling amd oh so very good.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQkneI8QyFn4bA7atRxXpj3xAfWnxRitMyDelGx8PlVhr-OwW4EBrmu3wmwruAWQQo7drzY2MIUKr0wp7Rn4yBon3Ujbuya_V82CYySuT-VXNyas-0s8zpFOvRlQrLcjrO_qVHw3vj_Y/s640/blogger-image-147977617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQkneI8QyFn4bA7atRxXpj3xAfWnxRitMyDelGx8PlVhr-OwW4EBrmu3wmwruAWQQo7drzY2MIUKr0wp7Rn4yBon3Ujbuya_V82CYySuT-VXNyas-0s8zpFOvRlQrLcjrO_qVHw3vj_Y/s640/blogger-image-147977617.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We wander on completing our walk around the lake. The contrast between where we had spent the day in the Old Qaurter and where we were now on the fringe of the French Quarter was amazing, from the sublime to the ridiculous; the insanity had gone and was replaced by serene calm. The old and basic gone and replaced with chic elegance. I love it.</div><div><br></div><div>We watched groups of people doing aerobics, ballroom dancing and the cha cha, kids roller blading or skateboarding, little dogs running around; a gorgeous real life combination of sheer pleasure.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY1LPF0gCnJvrzc6JJMlKBeAszUDHS2VeIEpjl7YDVHredubZSJPtSUbR8BvzeduiW0bUL1OMJ_MxE9IUDAKNMcxBLk7nRxBLufevTZB8sPx7WyEn-XG8iVOMMcKnLC5OUcxq12sFxow/s640/blogger-image-1849113363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY1LPF0gCnJvrzc6JJMlKBeAszUDHS2VeIEpjl7YDVHredubZSJPtSUbR8BvzeduiW0bUL1OMJ_MxE9IUDAKNMcxBLk7nRxBLufevTZB8sPx7WyEn-XG8iVOMMcKnLC5OUcxq12sFxow/s640/blogger-image-1849113363.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BwWwP2JJCJnYzLJ1h9vk54W6W5VNUHczfbyrWdv_B7zHL5Kp_rbIiCOX4hYZ8R91tu1eB9xdKzFLsPRaFy4Jt2aMBx3eUy5Vrm3ZYQByleLjpTLyeK89a3p-9jUDgTEKbuzZgItPBNo/s640/blogger-image-565470013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BwWwP2JJCJnYzLJ1h9vk54W6W5VNUHczfbyrWdv_B7zHL5Kp_rbIiCOX4hYZ8R91tu1eB9xdKzFLsPRaFy4Jt2aMBx3eUy5Vrm3ZYQByleLjpTLyeK89a3p-9jUDgTEKbuzZgItPBNo/s640/blogger-image-565470013.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Frsz5O1RMJXmPDIEEymMj7iHHunI52jZkHGjjJ2KjkyEyy7whkH2iEhPx-qUXPZNRe0eFI1T8b4JwFJ3QTIPjKmlVkwITzTi4vvG1PeUXuX29FxHm_QoWH8GWDWt5ygnVos-avDAc8Y/s640/blogger-image--2049318308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Frsz5O1RMJXmPDIEEymMj7iHHunI52jZkHGjjJ2KjkyEyy7whkH2iEhPx-qUXPZNRe0eFI1T8b4JwFJ3QTIPjKmlVkwITzTi4vvG1PeUXuX29FxHm_QoWH8GWDWt5ygnVos-avDAc8Y/s640/blogger-image--2049318308.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXSZT23wX4j07OTW352K8ck2ByptLGDzxQrOG2bZxo5IyEf7w3_PoyqeE3d6neO0FKt9qp213UuRewec9zM8utq7Y5CwzYjy-ohn2ACi6gIKF2wuxFhIUQLTTYvpYHgsfm3Xw_VP4DSY/s640/blogger-image-130677512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXSZT23wX4j07OTW352K8ck2ByptLGDzxQrOG2bZxo5IyEf7w3_PoyqeE3d6neO0FKt9qp213UuRewec9zM8utq7Y5CwzYjy-ohn2ACi6gIKF2wuxFhIUQLTTYvpYHgsfm3Xw_VP4DSY/s640/blogger-image-130677512.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>To finish the evening off we sat at Thuy Ta cafe, on the edge of lake Hoan Kiem, where I had originally met up with Elaine and Richard and enjoyed a coffee and ice cream The night was so still and we <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">watched the reflections of the lights in the water. Magical, calming and a lovely way to end our Christmas Day in Hanoi. At one stage Matt spotted the surface of the lake breaking and we wondered if it was the huge turtle that is reported to reside there. We watched for a while but it didn't happen again.</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6OzCrXHbufqlnj-4Zn6QwJ2NRIiwt3OI64x17v2V7UpSFtGWydcj1-UX59vURTaoFP-1OOhcxM51IlQXQ398V5zl8pCmcd0fpOBCxDbwdaxtMhObMxVw17iqgwUuvTSuCM9ZwbOGO1U/s640/blogger-image--1844316414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6OzCrXHbufqlnj-4Zn6QwJ2NRIiwt3OI64x17v2V7UpSFtGWydcj1-UX59vURTaoFP-1OOhcxM51IlQXQ398V5zl8pCmcd0fpOBCxDbwdaxtMhObMxVw17iqgwUuvTSuCM9ZwbOGO1U/s640/blogger-image--1844316414.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWgTU1ahXZ2RkQDTqp1SaEiyqlAYGbNTRPZBADMfEwri_7MXwiOiLrSI-keRbjtVBVzVj5mmEWlKRNDwJuwz1pyWvD77TFhOrr56NOC7FVICLH6rvlGVimWdXeiHkkt4a7eVGmGpyQk8/s640/blogger-image--703479157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWgTU1ahXZ2RkQDTqp1SaEiyqlAYGbNTRPZBADMfEwri_7MXwiOiLrSI-keRbjtVBVzVj5mmEWlKRNDwJuwz1pyWvD77TFhOrr56NOC7FVICLH6rvlGVimWdXeiHkkt4a7eVGmGpyQk8/s640/blogger-image--703479157.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Time for home and a read of my magazines before bed. I thought the espresso was going to keep me awake. I was wrong. My head hit the pillow and I do not remember anything else.</div><div><br></div><div>Merry Christmas from Hanoi, Vietnam...</div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-51059418527324772832013-12-25T12:49:00.001+12:002013-12-25T12:49:03.382+12:00Christmas EveDespite not being one to celebrate Christmas, other than to keep the family happy tonight was a Christmas Eve to treasure, celebrated in a country where Christianity is not the predominant religion, with people who may or may not have understood the significance of the christian event.<div><br></div><div>After dinner at Cafe de Paris where we realised just how tall Matthew Dobson is, we settle in a wee roof top bar only to be told that it was a pub with no beer and so we leave to go find something else. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLySURFBozkda524twXoGyOsL4dsR6xPNb-iSb1CaDBDiNMEQ-J5wHbFnNAPPfSdSdVFlHdZBkd5ZPf7jZXSg3VGK_LXcfMDPWHtd7rkBgB2XOuG7-hUoz6VHgp_9OynNY4EeUE2riZk/s640/blogger-image--2059026906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLySURFBozkda524twXoGyOsL4dsR6xPNb-iSb1CaDBDiNMEQ-J5wHbFnNAPPfSdSdVFlHdZBkd5ZPf7jZXSg3VGK_LXcfMDPWHtd7rkBgB2XOuG7-hUoz6VHgp_9OynNY4EeUE2riZk/s640/blogger-image--2059026906.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Thee were so many people on the ocr err of the night market street that I decided people watching would be more fun than another beer and so I bade my goodnights and took my things back to the hotel safe and embarked in an amazing journey.</div><div><br></div><div>I watched many people crouched onto what we would use as plastic stools for kids around wee tables enjoying a drink or a meal. Everyone so happy amd friendly and mainly locals enjoying their night out.</div><div><br></div><div>My stroll took me, initially, through the night market. The usual street with many stalls of product for sale, generally of inferior quality but never the kess fun to watch the hustle and bustle. I wander down to the end of the street where I encounter total unadulterated madness. A huge roundabout surrounded by so many motor cycles (or motorbikles as they are called in HCMC) that I literally could not cross the street. I detour a bit and eventually make it across the road to the footpath around the lake where I join thiusands of people all walking in the same direction on their way to do a loop,of he lake. The motorcycles were all going in the same direction and people, bikes, cycles, push chairs were all adorned with various Christmassy decorations, street vendors were selling all sorts of imaginable and unimaginable foods. Bands played. Youth sat in circles singing, little kids were carried by their parents clapping as they went. The cars and cycles tooted, the buildings around the lake were all lit up and the wee islands in the middle of the lake looked truly magical. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Groups of people on roller blades, wearing in santa hats were joined in a line, skating along the street. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mYFFgO07vyMd9cIWR1iXumaWcQ2JHTPPYg7KuKlVcGLT2OvdbSrPXGXOtTEbDgkYxEsXWo7yyl1XFup2HmGTDL6cSjs4A4bhAJPkjywlHk4HLVbs8tZipgq_cnKS3WPwbPfZV73aWcA/s640/blogger-image--1354475159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mYFFgO07vyMd9cIWR1iXumaWcQ2JHTPPYg7KuKlVcGLT2OvdbSrPXGXOtTEbDgkYxEsXWo7yyl1XFup2HmGTDL6cSjs4A4bhAJPkjywlHk4HLVbs8tZipgq_cnKS3WPwbPfZV73aWcA/s640/blogger-image--1354475159.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5rjZe7eatHk-j-n7tr-7gZICt1tZVk7jxKAjCH4tdIvbvKCP-7Odb8aqRF8bN6AfuKnO9GtTBkqR2yS3tmli3kHxivYf8w8L0G_CW4KiHiXxojXyQNr8XHHOnmcJYRFmQTnqBfo4s34/s640/blogger-image--1013563269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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I turn around and there was a group of policemen rounding up one of the other vendors and they had confiscated her fry pan. An argument followed and the frypan wasn't going back to the vendor, but in the time that the argument was happening the other vendors had time to pack up and scarper. Dozens of them. Ten minutes later and they started coming back again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I am heading back towards home I feel someone lightly tugging my hair. I turn and it was a young lady. She was checking to see if it was real and kept giving tiny tugs. Once she realised that I had sussed what she was doing she stroked a small part and then stroked her own. Guess white wiry hair is a bit of a novelty to a young asian girl with smooth, black, glossy and gorgeous hair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I walk for a way with a young couple who explained that when the weather is fine it is not unusual,to have crowds walking round the lake over the weekend nights, but they had never seen so many people before. On a normal weekend night it can take a motorcycle about 45 minutes to do the circuit of the lake. During the day in rush traffic about 30 minutes but apparently tonight it was taking people around 2 hours for the complete loop. Total bedlam but everyone was happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By the time I got back to my room it was nearly Christmas day. An early start for me so I can ring the family before they head off for their lunch at my nephews.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-88813682020453323072013-12-25T12:47:00.001+12:002013-12-29T01:53:20.303+12:00Good Morning VietnamWaking in Hanoi I dove into what looked to be an amazing shower. Big shower head, side jets; looked awesome. Bugger, it wasnt. Still OK but it didn't match up to the expectation I had and would not be enough for a hair wash which is the main thing.<div><br></div><div>After a quick instant coffee in my room I wander off to find Matt and Amy's Hotel, which was easy enough and from there we started wandering till we eventually found some plastic stools and planted ourselves at a coffee shop for a Vietnamese coffee, complete with comdensed milk, which I actaully sort of enjoyed. Camera not working so I have resorted to my iPhone but the hotel wifi is so bad that I can not download them, so no pics as yet.</div><div><br></div><div>Bianca, Michael and Simon join us and we start wandering, just wandering and taking in the sights. We pay to cross a wee bridge to a little island in the middle of Hoam Kiem Lake and then wander off again. I am frustrated with trying to take photos with an iPhone which quickly runs out of charge so I take off im search of a camera shop which i find without too much trouble. 10 minutes later and $103 dollars poorer I have a cheap camera, SD card, camera case (for another brand of camea so doesn't work with the one I bought), battery and charger. Not the greatest camera but it's small, lightweight and will more than do till I save some money at home.</div><div><br></div><div>I meet up with Matt and Amy again and then eventually with the others and we continue our wander through the Old Quarter stopping a while later to watch a wee kid dancing for us. He was hilarious but as is usually the case stopped dancing as soon as I took the video camera out.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV33d6ePd000O2PK3o62Q5rgQmi-ye1mvr5rEuj0P8iwTbu7Nm87z4_HWZhp4sU__C6FWfFOzb4qg8ZXSoLKWdJ0glENM-ODIIKL39ymPc8-zTUA903DEKyEkQc7mIU4WRIaRzOyHEt0I/s640/blogger-image--1326043479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV33d6ePd000O2PK3o62Q5rgQmi-ye1mvr5rEuj0P8iwTbu7Nm87z4_HWZhp4sU__C6FWfFOzb4qg8ZXSoLKWdJ0glENM-ODIIKL39ymPc8-zTUA903DEKyEkQc7mIU4WRIaRzOyHEt0I/s640/blogger-image--1326043479.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Lunch in the form of scrumptious chicken noodle soup was in a tiny little room that seems to be someones bedroom. The bed was packed against the wall and the wardrobe full of someones personal effects. Yum bum and $1.50 each. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EcGiLlNxCOwNcANU1hPD1SMH_-giSi-X6Ns00DW7x0zmINrSs5NY09fDZphqf1YWzMy5fUx_N6XcCa_OqSlj0uro34uIsspmWWfS_HXUY_R4jmalseqG6ATIYQ7tXQphPd46M-yh9B0/s640/blogger-image-55781978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EcGiLlNxCOwNcANU1hPD1SMH_-giSi-X6Ns00DW7x0zmINrSs5NY09fDZphqf1YWzMy5fUx_N6XcCa_OqSlj0uro34uIsspmWWfS_HXUY_R4jmalseqG6ATIYQ7tXQphPd46M-yh9B0/s640/blogger-image-55781978.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZV6Xyg0_rgXxyW0amQD3ggYWp_Yko1ZCpkgmkP5Naeeszl_ubpxANGRRnsPtUOYXhWd3fqORUbEod3HQaFt3litOk6mH38lZnviz-7PpS87C0MtTQLXVFGo6v-vsOwyLTEE8wO9LXFM/s640/blogger-image-1191603931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZV6Xyg0_rgXxyW0amQD3ggYWp_Yko1ZCpkgmkP5Naeeszl_ubpxANGRRnsPtUOYXhWd3fqORUbEod3HQaFt3litOk6mH38lZnviz-7PpS87C0MtTQLXVFGo6v-vsOwyLTEE8wO9LXFM/s640/blogger-image-1191603931.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A beer was in order next and we sat on a street corner people watching for a spell. Some great sights.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZjV5lT0C0NIres-ZgaLd_Crt8OB_IfIGbeb_G-Pkj1t6V_EJWp5hyIIlaM4ygzlEVEzwldAGhVX7J1cBECNplYpuaw-n9vMOV3Phzvp9AYNYaS-rqb-pKpVDuIuuipIeRLmewWXYaSc/s640/blogger-image-589806586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZjV5lT0C0NIres-ZgaLd_Crt8OB_IfIGbeb_G-Pkj1t6V_EJWp5hyIIlaM4ygzlEVEzwldAGhVX7J1cBECNplYpuaw-n9vMOV3Phzvp9AYNYaS-rqb-pKpVDuIuuipIeRLmewWXYaSc/s640/blogger-image-589806586.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsA7ECBwG313G-7RTOGoqt76264ULy-kkCGSEw32fnY-BXLFN0UyGRwthYU2c0V2RYTRvbb93-525cZ8PPdt__pYdreXd1sQDjTO1UaSOdSxveN0r10DPU1EhfwKLwPW6pub5nMVKXME/s640/blogger-image-794177137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsA7ECBwG313G-7RTOGoqt76264ULy-kkCGSEw32fnY-BXLFN0UyGRwthYU2c0V2RYTRvbb93-525cZ8PPdt__pYdreXd1sQDjTO1UaSOdSxveN0r10DPU1EhfwKLwPW6pub5nMVKXME/s640/blogger-image-794177137.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqder4IMPVj-7tyfE2ORgG6VpP-DHoa6nw6lEzV2TYW3POzVxLOOMfO5MwFbbzEOzEmTzDyqSpxdEaT5lJkA-q6_-Ppl-QrHbGNWsMVwGaaqoHU3F6djua27WajaxSXVrrMTdfHZlm7fI/s640/blogger-image-1107159558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqder4IMPVj-7tyfE2ORgG6VpP-DHoa6nw6lEzV2TYW3POzVxLOOMfO5MwFbbzEOzEmTzDyqSpxdEaT5lJkA-q6_-Ppl-QrHbGNWsMVwGaaqoHU3F6djua27WajaxSXVrrMTdfHZlm7fI/s640/blogger-image-1107159558.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqazrAutIH5mx5AyUL3NrSLZmr5QHu042HLRH69FEqrNOk-w94TWeZqfBxlHLk4bY_U9-1DMwfGu6_xkb1lW_CY2hDDVHWC_NC2OAt0Z8f1bcSjLcdd_iWMtuQ5cK8Y6-ND1RPr04no20/s640/blogger-image--1480238020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqazrAutIH5mx5AyUL3NrSLZmr5QHu042HLRH69FEqrNOk-w94TWeZqfBxlHLk4bY_U9-1DMwfGu6_xkb1lW_CY2hDDVHWC_NC2OAt0Z8f1bcSjLcdd_iWMtuQ5cK8Y6-ND1RPr04no20/s640/blogger-image--1480238020.jpg"></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>I wander off to go and find Lin's friend to collect the gift she has sent to me. I knew her friends Elaine and Richard had gone out for the afternoon so didnt expect to see them but collected my gift from reception anyway. Three gorgeous magazines and a wee box which I can open tomorrow morning. Wandering on I check out some super silk stores, gorgeous quality clothing. Shame I cant justify another decent chunk of expense. But on I walk end eventually find my way into a coffee shop on the rim of the lake. As soon as I find a seat I text Elaine to say thank you for bringing me the gift and I was enjoying a magazine with my coffee at a place on the edge of the lake. She replies telling me that they are near the lake as well. I get the waitress to text the name of the coffee shop to Elaine and a few minutes later I glance at the table next to me where I see the Waitress explaining to the lady at the table that "it is here". The lady was Elaine with her husband Richard. What are the chances of ending up at adjoining tables in a restaurant in Hanoi. No way! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZpdHIuGv8nXlacE_haU8ndeL9fcQbh6WVk5My2sJY7xAkL11QscUdrmIxavvoA_q7yIt_fpqvo6kDjilMLOpwbyCVVMMdmvRk8WMXLywD5lgBOgZFAanDo5aInJGMghtjg8cC9SOjkE/s640/blogger-image-1071091912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZpdHIuGv8nXlacE_haU8ndeL9fcQbh6WVk5My2sJY7xAkL11QscUdrmIxavvoA_q7yIt_fpqvo6kDjilMLOpwbyCVVMMdmvRk8WMXLywD5lgBOgZFAanDo5aInJGMghtjg8cC9SOjkE/s640/blogger-image-1071091912.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We enjoyed an extremely potent coffee together and set off on our way. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1BI3LBPDPt-AaGDO4PtqjH-4gSUofNXRSHIR4-KlPKvPieA06NGkCIOQIqASU8B8PSSMwrlmCMQbOGwKd6iUiJ9YS9nuWncmqqXK6EjuZxKBI_vYE7MAqL9wWDh_AvfcavlHGQigwMk/s640/blogger-image--1219356373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1BI3LBPDPt-AaGDO4PtqjH-4gSUofNXRSHIR4-KlPKvPieA06NGkCIOQIqASU8B8PSSMwrlmCMQbOGwKd6iUiJ9YS9nuWncmqqXK6EjuZxKBI_vYE7MAqL9wWDh_AvfcavlHGQigwMk/s640/blogger-image--1219356373.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I wander off and go and collect my glasses and then join the kids for a beer and some spring rolls. Watered and fed I return to the hotel and try for some time to send my blogs and emails on a wifi connection that is a waste of space.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For dinner we meet up and go to a French Restaurant. The menu had a few French sounding items but reading the dexcription they sounded like western french. I am not a fan of French Food at the best of times, but when it is tallied with I definitely dont want it. They also had Italian food and that too wasnt real italian but thought i couldnt go wrong with a pizza. Well I was totally wrong. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Firstly it was rectangular.... Hello pizza with corners? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Secondly, it was not made with pizza dough but something sort of bready with folded over corners</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Thirdly it was served on a rectNgular bowl type plate - hello flat plate or pizza stone please</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Fit was supposed to be a margarita, the tomato base was so solid that it looked like a kayer of ham, the cheese was grated cheddar and the basil wasn't there. Reminded me of the pizza that the five year olds make.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="/var/mobile/Applications/FAC521E0-EE1C-4D99-9C49-A4F38C881BBF/Documents/Blogger/blogger-image-178256060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="/var/mobile/Applications/FAC521E0-EE1C-4D99-9C49-A4F38C881BBF/Documents/Blogger/blogger-image-178256060.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As long as i closed my eyes and thiught I was eating something other than pizza it was edible, but only just. Matts one that I tried wasn't. It was called an Oriental but all the ingredients were mediterranean and tasted horrible. I couldn't eat it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dinner over I return to my room and finish my blogs. Goodnight from Hanoi.</span></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-14687254061107880492013-12-24T13:20:00.001+12:002013-12-24T23:10:29.535+12:00Hitting HanoiMy final day in Vientiane started slowly while I packed and did a few last minute things. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Deejai went off to his new temporary home and we tuktuk-ed, suitcases and all into town. Lunch at Khop Chai Deu gave me the chance to try some deep fried crickets which were tastier than I expected and the flavour of the crickets was camouflaged in the kaffir lime leaves that they were fried with. While they were still hot they were really crunchy but as they cooled down the crunchiness disappeared and weren't so nice. Still I have proof. I have eaten crickets and I </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">am still alive.</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HPezV2d3f0oS_qoCQ0s3jvY_UiwWlfxP54orFYzpPNDhg2PTwVXPj_03WaSLq2Tihc3736fRepoSjivvLOP76sT2SP6r28sGfQLOpWbcf6kDtHN2Pv104UcPsD9p1v34uXTyJgoFdPc/s640/blogger-image--578949497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HPezV2d3f0oS_qoCQ0s3jvY_UiwWlfxP54orFYzpPNDhg2PTwVXPj_03WaSLq2Tihc3736fRepoSjivvLOP76sT2SP6r28sGfQLOpWbcf6kDtHN2Pv104UcPsD9p1v34uXTyJgoFdPc/s640/blogger-image--578949497.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnpvqRevQrAUjjfC4R0WhPZwQHYp1JrpY8Ff7NCGTHkS3dLEket9d-kqDGZZgnOZ6SKURxFqf_hxX3qSZIIwRII7lXBAXdBclNGLQjCcd7WA-a0QrYm-tsqSH46OAlN-Er2vwnRmicVE/s640/blogger-image-1713213344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnpvqRevQrAUjjfC4R0WhPZwQHYp1JrpY8Ff7NCGTHkS3dLEket9d-kqDGZZgnOZ6SKURxFqf_hxX3qSZIIwRII7lXBAXdBclNGLQjCcd7WA-a0QrYm-tsqSH46OAlN-Er2vwnRmicVE/s640/blogger-image-1713213344.jpg"></a></div></div></div></font><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our flight to Hanoi was uneventful and the nearly one hour taxi ride into the Old Quarter more than made up for it. The term insane comes to mind and a good way to describe the traffic, the constant horn tooting, arm waving and total indifference from the motorbikes sharing the road with the cars. Like HCMC the tall skinny buildings were gorgeous but we couldnt see too much of the city because of the mist/smog/smoke or whatever it was. I am hoping it was mist as i dont really want to be spending too much time in it if it was smog or amoke. Oh well.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We arrive at the Hanoi Legacy hotel. A nice but unremarkable, bland and devoid of characterr mass tourist type place but superbly placed in the centre of the Old Quarter. Sadly and perhaps most importantlynoffering a free wifi service that cannot really be described as wifi or service in that it is useless. Oh well, there must be cafes about that I can use. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">With the Xmas break coming up I wasnt sure what would be open over the next few days so I shot off to find the glasses street to get myself some new glasses since the ones I have are causing me a bit of grief. Yay an easy find and close to the hotel. About 20 shops in a row and most with very old fashioned glasses but I am not after anything flash so soon find a shop that has three frames I like which with prescription lenses will cost me $120 and that included the eye check and the chance to try the new lenses. Ready tomorrow avo. Done.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Dinner was at a lovely place called the Green Mango, with Michael's Mom, Dad, sister and her family, where we got to take over the entire upstairs room. Sadly there was very limited choice of Vietnamese food but of the four choices the two I chose, the duck Pho and the Bung Bo, they were both superb even if it did cost me more than my entire food budget for the Vietnam part of my trip.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Dinner over we met up with Amy and Matt, which was awesome and together w</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">e finished off the night at Caphe Cool, in one of the tall skinny buildings whicj had about four levels of seating, each holding about 10 or so people. Really cool and definitely Asian. Now I felt as though I had arrived in Asia. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP8YTOAoLkBkDc2QieO7ZWbQRYjl2hvZMZ114Kz35LR3xoUzdmli1iXc38_bvzTP1oE0TFPJHUl4YsBA14bPJJdBDn6giLwhcvsONDWPVCJkUQ__71R1sDeFePxatguNGMsNTqCGM6pk/s640/blogger-image-233867248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP8YTOAoLkBkDc2QieO7ZWbQRYjl2hvZMZ114Kz35LR3xoUzdmli1iXc38_bvzTP1oE0TFPJHUl4YsBA14bPJJdBDn6giLwhcvsONDWPVCJkUQ__71R1sDeFePxatguNGMsNTqCGM6pk/s640/blogger-image-233867248.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div></div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-73566958514052136862013-12-19T20:51:00.001+12:002013-12-23T04:32:19.071+12:00Not a lot of anythingCoffee at the new favourite and a toasted sandwich is the way that Thursday started. From there it was wedding stuff and a lovely long walk and not a lot of anything else. <div><br></div><div>My journey took me past one of the sights that I have been trying to capture for ages:</div><div>The whilst sleeping shot:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBQLSYube1wwQ2tSKCAc2uG5dyl-dpBw8o7n-miiWudZ3V-eLzuP730815lsraOE03OjER4UhGqZkIrNMzTOcXuQBidBNRmZ1pD6dwYxITLzKxbJZK33jsJGqEv5nBdbSQH64ZCif86I/s640/blogger-image-744032360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBQLSYube1wwQ2tSKCAc2uG5dyl-dpBw8o7n-miiWudZ3V-eLzuP730815lsraOE03OjER4UhGqZkIrNMzTOcXuQBidBNRmZ1pD6dwYxITLzKxbJZK33jsJGqEv5nBdbSQH64ZCif86I/s640/blogger-image-744032360.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the whilst driving shot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z5HWvbvZEfInnBD6awXV-9S0J2oIODFiuTBMjL1JMKERQKuffHm_Pr631zXrlIyifdBsIUJZ0DgfKlCWiyH46vZITP8hFEaTyKtidMqLFfCBr61B2FzINxKMR6DP6HkB4ONIOmlOK_8/s640/blogger-image-889757629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingNRvPPVt9HkgbxjI3Yy1NpemhDeggh_97hm2b0Zv6SXiUDvEKlcLlTF49qUXmFFjyX9uoyuKi7PVdhpNZ8EZ9TZtW4gcduY3aIlW17BotbyMcyacv9sANWjt869NdQHrHZ9usItnbNM/s640/blogger-image-1881724730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingNRvPPVt9HkgbxjI3Yy1NpemhDeggh_97hm2b0Zv6SXiUDvEKlcLlTF49qUXmFFjyX9uoyuKi7PVdhpNZ8EZ9TZtW4gcduY3aIlW17BotbyMcyacv9sANWjt869NdQHrHZ9usItnbNM/s640/blogger-image-1881724730.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div>The tuktuk drivers keep their bed (in the shape of a hammock) on the job, so it is always there when they need it. I am constantly amazed by the way many of the locals sleep on the job. I guess there is no such thing as a lunch break so they just put their head on their hands and nod off, wherever. On the counter, behind the shelves, in the car - anywhere. And most of the time you can walk into a shop, look around, sometimes even talk to them and they do not blink. Hillarious.</div><div><br></div><div>I get home and it wasn't long before the book came out, the feet went up and I think at one stage during the day the eyelids were checked from the inside. It was warmer with a lovely breeze so no more winter woolies for the time being. The thought of snow in Sapa is a bit sobering so at some stage I will have to suss out some warm gear. Takeaway Pho for dinner was perfect, light, tasty and warming, not the real thing but very good anyway. I can't wait for some Vietnamese Pho Bo in Hanoi and hope it is as good as that which I was having in HCMC. <div><br></div><div>Friday started late after I forgot to take my ear plugs out so didn't hear Bee and Michael up and about. I was going to go to Bee's school Xmas Party but by the time I surfaced it was too late. </div><div><br></div><div>But not too late to go into town to Lao Kitchen for a yum lunch. Riverweed, a fish dish similar to larb, fresh spring rolls and of course sticky rice. Yum. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXMcTenA7Cz1yhe3uMOiSktO5ekOeByscecSIWnVHqrLZkoFlwCryl2GcUvUGRsWUujR6XjgmLieU9OCIYsFUu6Tv5jMMCyvwSJp5yFj7fPTmckyM8yvB3sQDe0u7IefZWi5UMHelZBc/s640/blogger-image--1879989356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXMcTenA7Cz1yhe3uMOiSktO5ekOeByscecSIWnVHqrLZkoFlwCryl2GcUvUGRsWUujR6XjgmLieU9OCIYsFUu6Tv5jMMCyvwSJp5yFj7fPTmckyM8yvB3sQDe0u7IefZWi5UMHelZBc/s640/blogger-image--1879989356.jpg"></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGJQz7KrY-blHacLD9Fk1E_aRDV3l1oZn46UtsA_RuD4azjDzhUtztJmkHEn_PYqzwF5UIOp0ClGXgTYyRpXIrZAUb9RmaDXwlFPuXF14ww4PczvcBrvwObXVtlZBfub_5yUs8bcOFbs/s640/blogger-image--538149095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGJQz7KrY-blHacLD9Fk1E_aRDV3l1oZn46UtsA_RuD4azjDzhUtztJmkHEn_PYqzwF5UIOp0ClGXgTYyRpXIrZAUb9RmaDXwlFPuXF14ww4PczvcBrvwObXVtlZBfub_5yUs8bcOFbs/s640/blogger-image--538149095.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>My walk today took me to the west of the city along the river front. Beautiful apartments with views out to Thailand, some lovely parks. On the way home I did a bit of shopping caught a tuktuk and arrived safe and sound in Saphanthong where I spent some time creating a dog proof gate to keep DeeJai in and other dogs out. The most unglamorous and tacky work ever seen but considering i had no tools at least it serves its purpose.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_bcDLCvQ54a-0UvL9f1h_ixKAQhy-NqJuHWZJS0HcXZcmi3umFxdxoG2qO_PFrS4P5fXYBb_0o1fd4F31DnbgQBQa4bqEIX3WFfovonYWJTopcHEQJSCKBmKi1LZ7G9CWDyE-bs9FV4/s640/blogger-image-598988209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_bcDLCvQ54a-0UvL9f1h_ixKAQhy-NqJuHWZJS0HcXZcmi3umFxdxoG2qO_PFrS4P5fXYBb_0o1fd4F31DnbgQBQa4bqEIX3WFfovonYWJTopcHEQJSCKBmKi1LZ7G9CWDyE-bs9FV4/s640/blogger-image-598988209.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XFJqAa2w0b0cyQpYFKtdFSyedVX_x5r42rkST0I3yMxqoFqOBgpnGqj4hIRGb0qyUS4yX1F6wXArFx4RdEQHYoaTZc6YFtln8XxMqkAKb2JD7YrgHkFjY3BJaccb3XpgPwZ8U5uhRfI/s640/blogger-image--2140209027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XFJqAa2w0b0cyQpYFKtdFSyedVX_x5r42rkST0I3yMxqoFqOBgpnGqj4hIRGb0qyUS4yX1F6wXArFx4RdEQHYoaTZc6YFtln8XxMqkAKb2JD7YrgHkFjY3BJaccb3XpgPwZ8U5uhRfI/s640/blogger-image--2140209027.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Dinner was at a super place close to the lovely neighbourhood <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">where I went walking the other day at a place called Masa Spoon. Divine. Mozarella potato balls - fluffy potato mash formed around mozarella cheese, rolled in crumbs and deep fried. Should have been called yum balls. The fried chicken wings with asian seasonings were pretty damn good too as were the onion rings coated in a light batter and deep fried. Crispy and yum.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDF-nwQKqP9G1RQL6XyBb_JS6kPiWKO71qdqfwUkMvYuDf_cuB6l2pMRGpF4B9-TX6eMKLWUTdxEs-kn5uVa5DkCDhmWp3P7tVtUwMDQ8GT_-1if3IBT8f80zdz89kzGX6mE1XHi0PUo/s640/blogger-image-201786963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDF-nwQKqP9G1RQL6XyBb_JS6kPiWKO71qdqfwUkMvYuDf_cuB6l2pMRGpF4B9-TX6eMKLWUTdxEs-kn5uVa5DkCDhmWp3P7tVtUwMDQ8GT_-1if3IBT8f80zdz89kzGX6mE1XHi0PUo/s640/blogger-image-201786963.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiT_Tc0N6pJ6bYTVLeSLCq6klYUY3scWnzQZzqE0RgzZZ6c_pjEyxsBeBmpR5QXMu7jyepwH0o2UnjWSg66s5vgXgSiybQ20vedN3NaNCFD8PpkNUAxLqSyF7clhmMbidl3v6BdmaeNM/s640/blogger-image--1481672736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiT_Tc0N6pJ6bYTVLeSLCq6klYUY3scWnzQZzqE0RgzZZ6c_pjEyxsBeBmpR5QXMu7jyepwH0o2UnjWSg66s5vgXgSiybQ20vedN3NaNCFD8PpkNUAxLqSyF7clhmMbidl3v6BdmaeNM/s640/blogger-image--1481672736.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ETE_siNNhb_vcKSee6dfffgVRs4yOQStj1vdCtVnCT-AiZe2rUEYGuWlcsoJubqWJc8ns7_sJQ39BSVsq5SQ0qJDTYAWDaq2KnvXgk7niRmxXl7I8lGFSqciWSymLbM1IZZYcQLef20/s640/blogger-image-1766835927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ETE_siNNhb_vcKSee6dfffgVRs4yOQStj1vdCtVnCT-AiZe2rUEYGuWlcsoJubqWJc8ns7_sJQ39BSVsq5SQ0qJDTYAWDaq2KnvXgk7niRmxXl7I8lGFSqciWSymLbM1IZZYcQLef20/s640/blogger-image-1766835927.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My Spagetti Putanesca was one off he best pasta meals I have had, a little light on anchovy and capers bit still incredibly tasty. A shame they didn't serve it with Parmesan (maybe they though it constituted a seafood pasta which should never come with Parmesan) but still it was really tasty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O5Jg9m0zP9ulvjKkuPqhhMaVtzRauCsDJRLUCzCgF2QaVLtV2wIgH4DnV43PclFSyBDtdgL0UlTwkRQkai-Vebj6QkluwO48vPJQ5kG9IWVt_2qjkZePNspkMx-mX5GkSEe656PHwsQ/s640/blogger-image--1498281981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O5Jg9m0zP9ulvjKkuPqhhMaVtzRauCsDJRLUCzCgF2QaVLtV2wIgH4DnV43PclFSyBDtdgL0UlTwkRQkai-Vebj6QkluwO48vPJQ5kG9IWVt_2qjkZePNspkMx-mX5GkSEe656PHwsQ/s640/blogger-image--1498281981.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My meal was finished off with a Barry Chocolate Fondant. I thought it was a typo and they were trying to put berries in a fondant but once the waitress explained that Barry was a type of french chocolate I ordered. I had never heard of Barry Chocolate, but glad I have now tried it (quite a sweet but dark chocola</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">te, not bitter like most darker chocolates are). Not the best fondant I have had but the taste was sublime and the berry conserve that came with just set off the flavours and contrasted with the very slight bitterness of the chocolate. An Earl Grey Tea finished it all off nicely.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A lovely end to my Friday.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Saturday mainly started with a trip to the dressmaker then a super lunch at a wee food stall where I had fried flat noodles. Can't remember what it was called but similar to a Char Kwey Teo and very tasty. I do love the food that is cooked in these little stalls and sadly there are not a huge number of them in Vientiane, they have been overtaken with some rather bland international food. A pastry at le Banneton destroyed the lovely after taste that I had from the noodles but oh well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfUYVgM2yPHRumD_YvP8leGrhR5NJ89Hg2SXSTRHNGCIw17tlPFnhrH-glwlmELEelK-Q9YRJmK4T6CGCLtwe_YqmN58AZ3_i2OV0S2dh2tlX_WgoQ51VpODCtFJF-9rmeF2SOaB28l0/s640/blogger-image-1227368620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfUYVgM2yPHRumD_YvP8leGrhR5NJ89Hg2SXSTRHNGCIw17tlPFnhrH-glwlmELEelK-Q9YRJmK4T6CGCLtwe_YqmN58AZ3_i2OV0S2dh2tlX_WgoQ51VpODCtFJF-9rmeF2SOaB28l0/s640/blogger-image-1227368620.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The afternoon was spent wandering and looking until I came to a wee souvenir shop that I decided to check out. On going in I found that it was attached to a massage place which looked up market, clean and professional. I was right as I found out when I treated myself to a foot massage (NZD12) which turned out to be one of the best that I have had. I might go back tomorrow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The kids had gone out for the night so I busied myself sorting out all the junk I have amassed and trying to figure out what was going to go with me to the next stop and what was not. Checking out temperatures it looks like Hanoi will be quite cold as well so I had better be prepared.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">SUNDAY started with a walk to the new best coffee shop in Asia and sure enough another great coffee but a really horrible breakfast of tasteless greasy bacon, overcooked greasy eggs and rather boring white bread, square slice toast. We all walked home with a stop off at the korean hairdressers where we all had our hair shampooed, conditioned and blow dried. Mine took a while being so thick and at one stage there were two girls blow drying and a mass of onlookers checking out how you cope with thick curly hair, which I suppose, here, is a real novelty. Despite the fact that they broke all the rules about hair styling the "correct" way, I walked out with beautifully styled, soft, straight hair that bounced as I walked. I gave nearly a 50% tip but still it came to about $15 so everyone was happy with the outcome. It's the first time my hair has felt really clean in a long while and was the best shampoo I think I have ever had.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiLjpazzI42ijA7FAvoGl0Me0k_olzUoGfhHtu_ASgU9AwI62Eia0SVmU4DeMDhsMA1qJnVNcV7FT53tHG81QxKDLQbxyvOhf1H_OgoPDYb-Of_iAfJEhRwfiYGxd-kYdpTYMlicqJeM/s640/blogger-image-1700766632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiLjpazzI42ijA7FAvoGl0Me0k_olzUoGfhHtu_ASgU9AwI62Eia0SVmU4DeMDhsMA1qJnVNcV7FT53tHG81QxKDLQbxyvOhf1H_OgoPDYb-Of_iAfJEhRwfiYGxd-kYdpTYMlicqJeM/s640/blogger-image-1700766632.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The afternoon was spent lolling around doing very little of anything before going to Jazzy Brick for a Mojito and then to La Gindola with Michael, Bee, Tom and Tiak. Another lovely evening with great company and great food.</div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And so my stay in Vientiane is over. I will be back for a few days here and there but tomorrow we leave for Hanoi where we meet up with Matthew ( my step son) and Amy (his gorgepus partner) and Michael's family. We will all have Christmas together ther. I have a few practical things to do but for the most part it will be exploring this city before I don the winter woolies and head for Sapa, where it was snowing last week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Goodbye from Vientiane. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-50404873584698144442013-12-19T01:55:00.001+12:002013-12-22T01:40:21.841+12:00Stuff in Ban Saphanthong<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Michael took me to his favourite coffee shop, Naked Espresso and I have to admit that it was damn good coffee, as was the antipasto toasted sandwich that followed. Damn good. I loved their sign which read</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTZvjmOLZfTuZqc4kVXBRC-TQSmMf1Jx3cwbCbH172pc4H6x1Gr10O3ZN1tfctr9DSqpCAxuU4iUIq4V4eA9GYgXPLy_V1DGhF9NpFZNaO6OqBuqzyw0E6wacgU_HcoTWLiWO4QdMzSg/s640/blogger-image--463246503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTZvjmOLZfTuZqc4kVXBRC-TQSmMf1Jx3cwbCbH172pc4H6x1Gr10O3ZN1tfctr9DSqpCAxuU4iUIq4V4eA9GYgXPLy_V1DGhF9NpFZNaO6OqBuqzyw0E6wacgU_HcoTWLiWO4QdMzSg/s640/blogger-image--463246503.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>From there I headed off to walk to the supermarket around the corner but somehow I decided to just "check out" the next street along. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6crZGJI_XdG5pKhO7e4de3k1soBVk9xpwMrCyQ88_rOnJsz14ZNjxNqJYfT5SPyrit6UVXRgx-SOGkbu_UCOxYfsY2MrivXxVHl8us1mFWZe5pwdt02krsOQvEgai8Xpz5n7FkcGhmg/s640/blogger-image-906502774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6crZGJI_XdG5pKhO7e4de3k1soBVk9xpwMrCyQ88_rOnJsz14ZNjxNqJYfT5SPyrit6UVXRgx-SOGkbu_UCOxYfsY2MrivXxVHl8us1mFWZe5pwdt02krsOQvEgai8Xpz5n7FkcGhmg/s640/blogger-image-906502774.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>It was so pretty, with lovely apartment blocks and some lovely shops leading to the Phat Tich Temple (complete with wax model Monk sitting at the altar, the Vientiane Prefecture Offices, the United Nations Building and then the gorgeous Wat That Foun where I watched the local workers gather round for lunch, the Monks hanging their robes to dry in the sun and generally take in the beautiful park like grounds.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqib_hchzgdznlWWLKM3lfuQ96FiYhNvQ1hhPF5U-AXxflABpGPkshzsrJuSnNoSYYCstuSNhIf0BvqucNu6ioLieKgQswWJKO4wEhBD591fEqb6UVu1SooPMirnvChSXazjjbFp4nek/s640/blogger-image-1360957384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT3po063ILBVyd-p4qJ21FLj9pl6occomuysowQvPt-oyQ4OrGegilEmWPZTSMW5K112UPco53E-VaUD2ZzC0aGKqf6LOSiVv8vJljeBLeuEr2hDHApRFZScLbyKra20s37Mjr_P2VaM/s640/blogger-image--1082626634.jpg"></a> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbahhXk-OGhRRL3CsZqtWapDQ5lK0lTXnihALzqN3SHi8xz8Y4Rofvvdy6OCBqq5n7VHJwCwvjdH6yAoUDK4jssaIZALHPEdXMr9dQ9RyV4xyxx7goma5IS65zTJbtnXMjMmc_haPJ8JE/s640/blogger-image-500618878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbahhXk-OGhRRL3CsZqtWapDQ5lK0lTXnihALzqN3SHi8xz8Y4Rofvvdy6OCBqq5n7VHJwCwvjdH6yAoUDK4jssaIZALHPEdXMr9dQ9RyV4xyxx7goma5IS65zTJbtnXMjMmc_haPJ8JE/s640/blogger-image-500618878.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RgccxT0YvgdE6BLJ6ZwLJ75HpIipIhDGxmgn2X2ktMVIYvonGVJZOEtqKw09FN6TJ2mzTDgciERPGgRfuVwl9CIpKIA4EvjThgV1FVuP5q8n3E-EaavnXdpTiVFzORsjmlNEL23PzFo/s640/blogger-image--463333268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RgccxT0YvgdE6BLJ6ZwLJ75HpIipIhDGxmgn2X2ktMVIYvonGVJZOEtqKw09FN6TJ2mzTDgciERPGgRfuVwl9CIpKIA4EvjThgV1FVuP5q8n3E-EaavnXdpTiVFzORsjmlNEL23PzFo/s640/blogger-image--463333268.jpg"></a></div></span></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I keep walking to Patuxay where I wandered the park, people watched and checked out the weird take off of the Arc d'Triomphe, ala Lao PDR. Not only is the structure weird but some of the people there were even weirder. This guy was captured form a long distance away so he has lost some of the character lines that were so obvious up close. I so wanted a close ip but just at that desperate moment....... the camera died.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwALuD2ZNxtpL4eDZa1rK-nGSeMOosHv5kFL6v9fQ6U6mPhWbJC7t-g-Avee1X6I8Cihp2SHiugH0oCsTClfskEQEfbLIT2CsP5x7dkmFi9I5gy7I3Oki0GDfDLM_7tOartJMTWcamV5U/s640/blogger-image-80809629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwALuD2ZNxtpL4eDZa1rK-nGSeMOosHv5kFL6v9fQ6U6mPhWbJC7t-g-Avee1X6I8Cihp2SHiugH0oCsTClfskEQEfbLIT2CsP5x7dkmFi9I5gy7I3Oki0GDfDLM_7tOartJMTWcamV5U/s640/blogger-image-80809629.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h2dV1Shx8IDUZM8YdicrNn18HvewctbuipnvDgfMZIvi0gVM5QD2py-QMLcCDTFwqBrX8_rywdAmbjE7CoCnkiQk_gf6nPgatrdgRhhdAlU2wam0pqdryc9KMoSTtTdes-Ubg35rf_U/s640/blogger-image--1238585242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h2dV1Shx8IDUZM8YdicrNn18HvewctbuipnvDgfMZIvi0gVM5QD2py-QMLcCDTFwqBrX8_rywdAmbjE7CoCnkiQk_gf6nPgatrdgRhhdAlU2wam0pqdryc9KMoSTtTdes-Ubg35rf_U/s640/blogger-image--1238585242.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEahjGmpqBw25NpeJKjifntsZoA7br1KX5xpCe6oHPqGAxSuy6z-zN1xb2jqNjODpLucwp55cPHFxw7W3L8-K2qGQNfCVkrC6UeHM9pcZSO22tV66EIplbdQVp9a7kuGUu8VjQ3klV1iI/s640/blogger-image--2035185776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEahjGmpqBw25NpeJKjifntsZoA7br1KX5xpCe6oHPqGAxSuy6z-zN1xb2jqNjODpLucwp55cPHFxw7W3L8-K2qGQNfCVkrC6UeHM9pcZSO22tV66EIplbdQVp9a7kuGUu8VjQ3klV1iI/s640/blogger-image--2035185776.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6phATIASneqV56JOtciFt1LdpV46S8BttJkcg1lQvE9OCSOju7jFJBESWFtbaUbMSR2UYUiGLi_rBR3EQ0pw2j-CoyDRpU7U1VwcsGMd220EiChRKuiL87SrZT8n06InhuawmDVF-mU/s640/blogger-image--709344998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6phATIASneqV56JOtciFt1LdpV46S8BttJkcg1lQvE9OCSOju7jFJBESWFtbaUbMSR2UYUiGLi_rBR3EQ0pw2j-CoyDRpU7U1VwcsGMd220EiChRKuiL87SrZT8n06InhuawmDVF-mU/s640/blogger-image--709344998.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I carry on walking and eventually get to the supermarket where I grab a few things for the wedding and grab a tuktuk to go home. Smartie me thinks she knows the way to Saphanthong better than the driver and shows him the way to go. The next minute I see the Vientiane International School which i know is quite a waynout of the way. Next thing I see Panyathip Kindergarten, where Bianca works so pop in to say hello and drop the shopping off to her. What a lovely place to work, modern, clean, colourful with a bunch of gorgeous wee kids hanging on her every word.</div><div><br></div><div>I leave my shopping and walk home where I spend the afternoon doing miscellaneous wedding related tasks. Michael was cooking again, roast chicken with spuds and carrots and the divine aromas were distracting me as I pottered. Dinner turned out to be another 5 star meal. Thanks Michael.</div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-38227764688228294342013-12-17T19:36:00.003+12:002013-12-18T03:48:34.246+12:00Brrrrrr<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, it's freezing this morning. Last nights blue pill did the trick and I slept through without worrying of snakes or scorpions. In another space I could hear the rain pounding on the roof and the wind in the trees. I crawled under the blankets, making sure my mosquito net was still intact and stayed there a while until I was brave enough to get up and go check the bathroom. The scorpion had been partly devoured by ants, the wind was still blowing, everything felt damp and warranted both merino and the polar fleece. I wanted to go home to Bianca's or to the Manoly Hotel. I was glad it was my last day. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ban Pako was gorgoeus, in a beautiful location, rustic and fun. However it lacked any form of personality, service, passion, alternatives to lazing or anything that might make me want to return. Still it achieved its purpose and I rested well, loved the peace and quiet, but still feel as though I need a decent sleep and that can only come from a natural sleep I am sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get my electric jug ready for my morning coffee. It was <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">a cheap electric jug. As most days I can't be bothered getting dressed to go an get a coffee from the hotel breakfast bar in the morning, I bought the jug so I can make myself a tea of coffee whenever I want. It was not only very cheap but it is also quite clever. Although it is a sealed container it leaks as it boils so half the water comes out. To get the plug to stay in I have to prop it against something. The scariest is that I think the water is coming out of where the plug goes. I am donating it to Ban Pako, as hopefully I will have a jug wherever I go from now and if not at least I wont be electrocuted whilst trying to make a coffee.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so once I have given up on the jug I go for breakfast and have a double espresso, frothy, under extracted and like dish water, like any coffee from any automatic device is. I struggle that they can call it espresso or coffee for that matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm certainly not going walking today, who knows what crawlies will be out after the rain, so I grab my book, open all doors and windows and return to my room. The light in the room is not enough to light anything, the reading lamp not much better and so with the natural light coming in I managed to at least be able to see the words on the page. This book is about LadyBoys in Thailand. Personal stories from a handful and a variety of LadyBoys. Men who do not relate to their male identity but to a female identity. Most are aware of their differences from a young age. Many take the steps to change gender (trans-gender) but others function as a female while retaining their male genitalia. Some look to the world to be a straight male during their everyday but by night morph into beautiful "women". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most Ladyboys are employed in industries that are generally monopolised by women, beauty, fashion, hairdressing; it is here in the artistic world that their interests often lie. Some live like a natural woman, some have married and/or have regular male/female relationships and a good proportion in parts of Bangkok and surrounding areas live by means of prostition, go-go dancing or other not so "proper" professions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of the cosmetic counters in Bangkok stores and hairdressing salons are manned (for want of a better word) by LadyBoys who are immaculately presented and appear to be far more knowledgeable than their female counterparts. In many cases it is difficult to tell if they are LadyBoys or women and often the one giveaway is the size of their feet. Other physical features can be changed with the use of hormones or surgery (Adam's Apples can be shaved) but male large feet just don't go away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In comparison In NZ Pacific Island Fa'afafine are not uncommon. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Fa'afafine – or “Fafa” – are men who are raised as females and identify with that gender. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They mostly have relationships with heterosexual men and are generally not gay. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In most of the Pacific Island nations, particularly in Samoa, gender identity is largely based on a person's role in the family and if one family has numerous sons and no daughters, it's not uncommon to raise one of the boys as a girl. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some Polynesian elders believe there are boys born with the “Fa'afafine spirit,” while others say it can only be nurtured.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I settled the bill 800,000 kip for accommodation, meals and two way transport. Not bad, but probably what it was worth. While I enjoyed my stay and loved the location and peace, there were so many tiny things that could turn Ban Pako Eco Lodge into a destination, and one that people could pay handsomly for. All the finishing touches were missing, it lacked a soul, it lacked hospitality and it lacked character. It also lacked room service of any description. No making of beds, topping up of loo rolls, mini bar. Nothing. If you wanted a drink you had to go to the bar. They didn't even provide bottled water and that is the first place in many countries that I have not had bottled water in my room. Thankfully I had bought my own. The location was sublime and even the bungalows were OK. Bits and pieces of maintenance wouldn't go astray and some fly screening would work wonders. The new restaurant and the bar area were lovely and the food pretty much OK for the type of place it was. But it takes more than function to make a place memorable. But I am not complaining because I did have a rest, despite the fact that I left feeling as though I had not slept in weeks, but it could have been so much nicer.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My thoughts took me back to the Manoly hotel. It really was lovely. Not flash, but the rooms were generous and clean, the outlook lovely, close to the city, and quiet. All the rooms (I changed three times) were in need of some sort of maintenance but it was only minor things, fly screens falling out, light bulbs needing replacement, plaster work in bathrooms needing a professional touch, but the plusses far outweighed the negative and for $35 per night was superb value for money. It did have a soul, the people were lovely (despite the craziness of some) and there was so much public space to just hang out it once you were sick of your balcony or deck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dusty van came to collect me but this time instead of Chris driving there was a polite young guy with a name I do not recall. He spoke a little English and kindly asked about NZ. All <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I could really think of was dozing in the van. No, I must stay awake. I have to sleep proper tonight. I am going back to Bee and Michaels and am looking forward to spending a few days with them before we go to Hanoi. </span>His driving skils were excellent and he planted his foot on many occasions getting us in to the city in quick time. On the way we passed the monstrosity houses again. The photo shows (the white building) part of a HOUSE that is being built for the guy that presently runs a business and owns the goldy coloured building in the front. It is huge, obscene, has every sort of imaginable architrectural,styles mixed into one. Apparently it is the latest tourist attraction. Chris actually took me the long way round so I could see it as we headed to Ban Pako.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way out Chris had pointed out a new mall that had attracted many of the shops that were in the morning market. and I looked out for it as we got closer to the city but alas couldn't see anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Vientiane I am home. I go back to Manoly hotel and grab my bag and wander back in to the city. On the way impass the main hospital in time to see a couple exiting with a tiny baby in the arms of the man. No luggage, no crib just lady, man and baby. The other day I saw another couple where the man was cradling what looked like a new born. They didn't have luggage either and were on the bus stop waiting for a bus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I had to go to Le Banneton and there I enjoyed a great Bacon and Eggs which came with half a baguette that was promptly poked into my sunny side up egg. Heaven and the protein shot was just what was needed. The coffee a disappointment and not as good as usual. Instead of my usual double, being a demi-tasse of double strength, it was a double sized rather insipid single shot. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did a few errands and then tuktuked back to Michael and Bee's to be welcomed by Miss Joey and later by Mr DeeJai. Good to be back. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was in heaven when I later got the chance to do some DIYing and fix a few things including starting a DeeJai proof front gate. Can't wait to finish it tomorrow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evening was spent at home with the kids relaxing, chatting and enjoying Michael's delicious red curry. Thanks Michael. A lovely end to a lovely evening. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yaWx6TBPKyXjRTS9Gm7MbX02zwVZIeNZ_3YC7P-wBpKE5H1QRR6M1mqlH8uM6ktd_qQFjg2ux9NRJDnP7-_PXh5Ac3K5_rfr_4B2aiBnsaN8PsgJjVbU1ipb9stMKaMRAqnLJQbKhWc/s640/blogger-image--1703789816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yaWx6TBPKyXjRTS9Gm7MbX02zwVZIeNZ_3YC7P-wBpKE5H1QRR6M1mqlH8uM6ktd_qQFjg2ux9NRJDnP7-_PXh5Ac3K5_rfr_4B2aiBnsaN8PsgJjVbU1ipb9stMKaMRAqnLJQbKhWc/s640/blogger-image--1703789816.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-81219093737950978762013-12-16T17:08:00.001+12:002013-12-16T18:37:52.486+12:00Lazing? Not really, just doing nothingWell, I came to relax. And I am doing it well. Ban Pako's website markets the place as somewhere to relax, trek, have massages and lie in the hammock. Yesterday I did very little other than read my book and relax.<div><br></div><div>Last night after getting my room sorted and placing things in strategic places that hopefully I would hear if anyone tried to get into my room, I sprayed thoroughly with fly spray and crawled under my mosquito net. There I found my new best friend. A skinny small excuse for a pillow, just the way I like them. Yay.</div><div><br></div><div>I read for a bit still feeling quite uncomfortable being the only guest here, particularly <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with no locks on the doors. But that didnt last long and I quickly fell asleep and slept for a bout three hours. A good run for me. It was still only about 1:30, so I popped a wee blue pill and woke again at 8:30, still groggy. What a marathon for me. Was wonderful to have slept straight throughh like that but I cant say I felt any better for it. It took quite some time for me to feel human again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After a very average pod type coffee I decided to check out the jungle trek, which turned out to be a walk through the bush, as pretty boring at that. I came back wearing a black skirt covered in biddybid type things which took me an hour to pick out. At least it was something to do. Maybe I wont go on any more of their walks. I expected to find pretty flowers, butterflies and birds as the web site described. Instead I found paths that needed much maintenance, dust and dusty looking unimpressive foliage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And so I retured to my deck and read; a book called Bangkok Boy telling of the sad life of a young boy who wanted to make something of himself but instead spent years on the streets in a life of prostitution, gambling and drinking which nearly resulted in his death. It took a close shave for him to wake his ideas up which I guess is not too dissimilar to the lives of many other sad young kids in any number of other countries. Not a book, that I am going to be taking home with me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I enjoyed taking in the sites of the property, the views across the river and loved watching the river drift downstream. It just seemed to glide along as if a sheet of ice. Majestic, serene and peaceful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEBzKO-ZIeIFCEpNp38BmQA77EnxlEQ2qEMD1iS2r2S6Nj70vi6TEDR5Zg8gezTH-uLpYV_Xcqg4dvGvDwkFGX5VA14kDlFAmSEowx216h6YQF6qutTr3VUHN8AWqaa6py0gGeAj5GMc/s640/blogger-image-834639116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEBzKO-ZIeIFCEpNp38BmQA77EnxlEQ2qEMD1iS2r2S6Nj70vi6TEDR5Zg8gezTH-uLpYV_Xcqg4dvGvDwkFGX5VA14kDlFAmSEowx216h6YQF6qutTr3VUHN8AWqaa6py0gGeAj5GMc/s640/blogger-image-834639116.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMFXvTmmsZywS_yewu6btM1M-k9ep834BBwYdi3HOgwvvAt_IDemCi42xi6ZGxAlyWEveUDhVyo6HrL33fxqPoZZe8mZRgdD4AQ22wkBQQknfnLco8Y0p4egwHh3aWvOM4Ydhw6HIM_Y/s640/blogger-image--1002579508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMFXvTmmsZywS_yewu6btM1M-k9ep834BBwYdi3HOgwvvAt_IDemCi42xi6ZGxAlyWEveUDhVyo6HrL33fxqPoZZe8mZRgdD4AQ22wkBQQknfnLco8Y0p4egwHh3aWvOM4Ydhw6HIM_Y/s640/blogger-image--1002579508.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lunch was a rather spicy beef salad which did not appear to have any beef. There was meat but almost white, tasteless and chewy. It came in a pinkish sort of sauce that had been thickened with ground sticky rice. Not sure if the meat was chicken or pork or something else, but I ate it and sort of enjoyed it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlnTTSQOdkR7LDU3ezMTI1PfHI5iOAQZ7tCLeUNqVfqTKw-OQccI5HFpaottBm-4fOuplTeCnxgk7nhPkDkP2JMp6npnexy-aOh5LO2GcmlPiLWZnPvw5EpwarsOeKiA8NTlRwQAEzmo/s640/blogger-image-663083221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlnTTSQOdkR7LDU3ezMTI1PfHI5iOAQZ7tCLeUNqVfqTKw-OQccI5HFpaottBm-4fOuplTeCnxgk7nhPkDkP2JMp6npnexy-aOh5LO2GcmlPiLWZnPvw5EpwarsOeKiA8NTlRwQAEzmo/s640/blogger-image-663083221.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The afternoon was exhausting, it is so tiring having to decide whether its to be the chair, the bench or the hammock and then making the move from one to the next, swapping the cushions as I moved. Totally draining and exhausting. I listened, nothing, just nature. Bliss.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">To fill in time I wrote my blog, to be finished after dinner. As I wrote I was thinking to myself how amazing it was that I had filled a page about nothing and actualy made it quite interesting. I thought too soon because when I came to finish it off after dinner I had lost everything I had written. Bummer, so I started again as I read back realise that my blog is now about as interesting as my day was. Sleep inducing.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Dinner was a rather uninspiring larb, again the meat was light coloured and tasteless, but cuddled inside the balls of sticky rice it at least had a bit of texture if no flavour. Even the herbs didn't help. But it wasn't horrible, just nothing.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">But before my dinner was served the waiter bought me a plate of what looked like brown broad beans. He called it Ma Bok, and it looked like some sort of bean which had been deep fried and seasoned. They were still hot when he bought them to me and were so, so, so good. The salt and pepper seasoning didnt seem to have anything else with it and the crunchiness of the bean was perfect. My dark beerlao was the perfect accompaniment.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJKbFAUSHLwIYQSHEAjJA1v0cmdIajrSB6PH0kZPNNhH7g3z-ZnlSjpry1WKhG8kZJ6ALcY6_XKlG_VoNgtdOhZkLUpkjMs8JUDKQfklx88dOtATJH_a9fUHeNab788jrVob7SeLo7Zc/s640/blogger-image--1986886676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJKbFAUSHLwIYQSHEAjJA1v0cmdIajrSB6PH0kZPNNhH7g3z-ZnlSjpry1WKhG8kZJ6ALcY6_XKlG_VoNgtdOhZkLUpkjMs8JUDKQfklx88dOtATJH_a9fUHeNab788jrVob7SeLo7Zc/s640/blogger-image--1986886676.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Again I am sitting on the deck, relaxing and listening to the crickets and my ghecko, trying to kill time until its late enough to go to bed. There are other guests here tonight so I will sleep easier. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapDmIldd3e-W0ByFDssni3czxAAC3TN6Qf66K-DQZRTyTmI3rXMz_CV28WfQBMijIXYmktCQzVAsanyKcJK2b0sICq5IP7yP-r0z9QzYmsIKRVv0xS4eswizNbytUUpIBv9ZGIAbsUgs/s640/blogger-image-277700257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapDmIldd3e-W0ByFDssni3czxAAC3TN6Qf66K-DQZRTyTmI3rXMz_CV28WfQBMijIXYmktCQzVAsanyKcJK2b0sICq5IP7yP-r0z9QzYmsIKRVv0xS4eswizNbytUUpIBv9ZGIAbsUgs/s640/blogger-image-277700257.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">My sonic zapper appears to be working as there is not a bug in sight. Although I just spied, and subsequently killed the most enormous wasp I have ever seen. It would have been at least 6 cm in length. But it aint no more. My fly spray works wonders. </font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It has started blowing slightly and that probably helps the bug situation. A few minutes ago it rained, what a surprise. It's a while since I have heard or felt rain. Sadly, it wasn't enough to really cool the air or to give off that wonderful smell that comes with rain hitting the ground.</span></div><div><br></div><div>I eventually turn off the rather pathetic excuse for a light and wiht the help of my fones flash light find my way into bed. I don't remember an awful lot till I woke to the sound of heavy rain and wind at about 12:30am. I lay there for a while.listening, and then, as happens, realised I needed a loo visit. </div><div><br></div><div>I am so very pleased that I turned the bathroom light on and managed to glimpse something wriggling on the floor. Oh, just what I want in my room in the middle of the night but a scorpion in the throes of dying. Watching it all the time I reach out and grab the insect spray and then give it an almighty blast. Does it work on scorpions? I will soon find out. I gingerly walk over to the loo and just as I am getting ready to sit I see another creature. Is it a big fat worm, or is it a short fat snake? Either way, I am not venturing any closer and quickly finish what I came in here to do, give them both another blast of insect killer, close the door, turn out the lights and crawl under the mosquito net. Oh! But not before I popped a little blue pill. No way would I get to sleep after seeing what I just saw.</div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-47523515901101145032013-12-15T00:14:00.001+12:002013-12-16T17:02:58.001+12:00Hear that? A bird, a monkey, a cricket, a fly and not much else.Virtually no sound, just the quack of the monkeys on the opposite bank (they sound like ducks quacking) the buzz of a few bees and the cheeping of some birds. I have arrived at Ban Pako Eco Lodge. <div><br></div><div>The first time I heard monkeys was as we sat round a brai in South Africa one night. We faced the fire and our backs were unprotected, open to the wild and the animals. I heard the noise that I now know is monkeys and when I asked about it the ranger told me that they could probably sense a leopard in the region. Hello! My back is exposed to the region! Not long after when the sounds became more pronounced he went and got his rifle and kept scanning the darkness. We went to bed, to the safety of our rondavel, but had to be escorted by an armed guard. These monkeys have no leopards to fear and anyway are on the other side of the river. I'm glad.<div><br></div><div>I'd had another sleepless night tossing and turning and I wasn't sure why, but I got up feeling shattered. I checked out of Manoly Hotel and bade goodbye to Mr Tragedy, who was now transformed into Mr Music and had a walkman impanted in his eardrum playing music so loud that I could hear it some distance away.</div><div><br></div><div>I walk into town, buy a few provisions, then sit for an early lunch at my old fabourite, Khop Chai Deu. An OK meal of black sticky rice in bamboo with kaffir leaf fried fish. The sticky rice in the bamboo takes on a coconut flavour and although I dont normally like coconut rice, this is really yummy. Its a bit if an effort to get it out of the bamboo if you don't know what to do, but the bamboo should carefully peel away revealing the soft moist rice. The fish, like other times I have had it, beautifully aromatic and tasty, lightly floured and pan fried so you get the taste of the burnt flour as well. Nice and light and tasty. The deep fried kaffir lime leaves an extra bonus and when taken with a piece of fish wrapped around a ball of sticky rice, not only add flavour but a new texture as well.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG7daMkRggMRirj5QCcLcHSKmuQqF9R1SU3wb9ZysvhE6iWQq2UGg66L7XXgxIkOoiGV4JlBab62gHzptNCzDrCiODXTy2SolJVlPmoAlZmZTLy285_CcMh-_OQ56iuvS4NRVqTCFc2s/s640/blogger-image-86946464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG7daMkRggMRirj5QCcLcHSKmuQqF9R1SU3wb9ZysvhE6iWQq2UGg66L7XXgxIkOoiGV4JlBab62gHzptNCzDrCiODXTy2SolJVlPmoAlZmZTLy285_CcMh-_OQ56iuvS4NRVqTCFc2s/s640/blogger-image-86946464.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Just along the way I am collected by Chris, the new owner of Ban Pako Eco Lodge, in a not so new combi van. Bags in the back I hop into the front seat and we head out of town past Patuxay which I discovered hosts a gorgeous park and realised I have more discovering to do. The road leads on past some modern developments, shopping malls and some residential building that can only be called obscene. Huge, lavish, over the top homes that even in Italy would be considered too much. Hummers and Mercs in the driveway. Plain ugly, but very sad especially when these homes sit on land adjacent to some very very basic villages.</div><div><br></div><div>Our drive continues till we eventually hit unsealed roads and the red clay soil has become red dust that has permeated everything. I just combed my hair and once I got past the knots I looked at the hair brush and that too was red. As we went further along I could tell we were nearing the river as the ground changed from red clay to white sand. All along the trip the earth was dry and parched and the vegetation shrivelled and golden. Quite a contrast to the lush greenery in the central city. </div><div><br></div><div>We soon arrive at Ban Pako Eco Lodge and I figure that paradise might look a bit like this. Not a sound, not as lush as the last place on the Mekong, but the lodge bungalows look across the river to a green jungle on the other bank. I am taken to my room. A rustic bungalow on stilts, with a lovely bug deck, hammock, chairs and a bench, all atop a rather rickety deck surface bound by a cute fence.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAuFIqy22PDJxjJp9V0FoHqMWHE6e9Soo7aL3xFpIZHiWdDQWxdBu5vgOzvVvfFMSsjlaAlfaaMb34-AULqcv7Y4N78HjwGd1B4Xz-wm7VJcgpVfa78CENbFi_GOKC3WR3zq6_DOa1ak/s640/blogger-image--1169577456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAuFIqy22PDJxjJp9V0FoHqMWHE6e9Soo7aL3xFpIZHiWdDQWxdBu5vgOzvVvfFMSsjlaAlfaaMb34-AULqcv7Y4N78HjwGd1B4Xz-wm7VJcgpVfa78CENbFi_GOKC3WR3zq6_DOa1ak/s640/blogger-image--1169577456.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The interior boasts a four poster bed, lovely clean linen, woven bamboo walls and a few hooks on the walls for hangers. Bed side tables, a large fan and a reading light complete the room until you step down into the bathroom. Not quite outdoors, but close to it. A tiled floor, toilet, handbasin and shower all in good nick with a meshed window to let all the bugs in and a sloping floor to drain the shower water out the corner of the bathroom. As I said rustic but appropriate and more than functional.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrnTNmkMF3n2IxFslU-JQDzFbKBF2goKIajaPhhB61IO-cg4Qwy2aIKuevfdq7MNUv9NNkI3VGx-AR9S2l4ECtxe9TBRHo85kPhW6eBmCSzzn_UWD2WPUGOzVCvmZvRD0wvRqRAqEmKg/s640/blogger-image--445457488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrnTNmkMF3n2IxFslU-JQDzFbKBF2goKIajaPhhB61IO-cg4Qwy2aIKuevfdq7MNUv9NNkI3VGx-AR9S2l4ECtxe9TBRHo85kPhW6eBmCSzzn_UWD2WPUGOzVCvmZvRD0wvRqRAqEmKg/s640/blogger-image--445457488.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr-pjegFzk48bp6Vy0qZPDJ_TIS1fCrINoBmu22_GfU5iTrVE5DFQFZzLdAhI__sNiF30A5J8cRCYg8-Ex-TxE3gUa9zaTt2jfhvo-JT9oWoCCdA3CDA9g9jEeBpL6JyVw95aF7JtdDo/s640/blogger-image-1504168818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr-pjegFzk48bp6Vy0qZPDJ_TIS1fCrINoBmu22_GfU5iTrVE5DFQFZzLdAhI__sNiF30A5J8cRCYg8-Ex-TxE3gUa9zaTt2jfhvo-JT9oWoCCdA3CDA9g9jEeBpL6JyVw95aF7JtdDo/s640/blogger-image-1504168818.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Out the front the river quietly slinks downstream, peaceful without a ripple, reflecting the colour of the greenery in the other side. Every so often a whirlpool breaks the surface as it glides by. A feint breeze cuts the edge off the heat. All in all pretty damn nice. </div><div><br></div><div>I contemplate the hammock. Maybe tomorrow.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3Y1wViJIy1fmB1f7hMYcM_nZGnKd2fPTW5Po0BOjUAPiyE4ljQ22F5IRc89vkxr_DkrXr4-tRz6k0r2FT-Md3L_Yq7ZFYZwGgFkYnrZDzHS538dMQG-ZmS7m9pcyFWhTb928Ocpl2WI/s640/blogger-image--1550246412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3Y1wViJIy1fmB1f7hMYcM_nZGnKd2fPTW5Po0BOjUAPiyE4ljQ22F5IRc89vkxr_DkrXr4-tRz6k0r2FT-Md3L_Yq7ZFYZwGgFkYnrZDzHS538dMQG-ZmS7m9pcyFWhTb928Ocpl2WI/s640/blogger-image--1550246412.jpg"></a></div> </div><div>But, its the quiet that I love. Within minutes I have relaxed and start to wonder how I am going to fill my days here then I remember the books I have bought and discover that my phone does have a connection so I don't feel totally cut off from the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Silence is shattered when two people a couple of bungalows away start a conversation while sitting on the deck. I suspect that they might be workers here and if that is the case should be shot as the place advertises the fact that it is so quiet and private. Talking staff shouldnt be the ones to break that silence. I'm hoping that it is other guests as don't really want to be the only one here but either way I wish they would talk quietly. They heard me writing and sure enough, workers who are now returning to work. Quiet again. Thank you.</div><div><br></div><div>I spent the afternoon reading my book, Ant Egg Soup and was dissappointed when she found her soup and the story finished. Through the book I saw parts of Laos that I have not visited, in a time preceding the western tourist. But best of all I learned so much about traditional Lao food, like the fact that real Larb was made from raw meat and raw offal. The raw meat I could do but raw offal, no way. Reminds me of Naboisho and some grimaces I saw from the guys as they chomped on raw kidney and tried to make out that it tasted good. Further reminds me of a putrid site in Siem Reap when I watched a stall holder pour blood on the offal, then rub it in with her hands. I can do anything at all, but I wont do that. Thanks Meatloaf.</div><div><br></div><div>I also gleaned much info regarding the background behind some of the local celebrations that I have already witnessed so was able to go back over my blogs and update the info. </div><div><br></div><div>About 5pm the receptionist came and got my dinner order. I have read conflicting reports of food so playing it safe and I have ordered a papaya salad and sticky rice. The bugs started coming in thick and fast and I was starting to worry about them, being more than slightly paranoid about getting o<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ne of the tropical lurgies that Lao is known for. Deterrent came out in force and I switched on for the first time the sonic bug deterrent on my phone. Well something has happened as I have barely seen a bug since. But just to be sure I have the Mosquito net in place and bought my own bug spray. I would have thought that they would come and set it up and spray but I guess for the equivalent of about $25NZ a night I am asking too much. I also expected that they would have a torch in the room as it is now pitch dark and I resorted to using the flashlight on my fone to get me back to the room. Oh well.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Dinner time comes and I go to the restaurant. Very nice and a lovely bar area. All new according to the write up on line. Don't know why but I sat in the bar where it was dark so ended up eating my dinner by candellight and not seeing what I was eating. Still it was very yum and didn't take ages as the reports had said. I was the only guest diner. The papaya salad came with roasted peanuts which realy enhanced the flavour and crunch; wrapped around the sticky rice the papaya and peanut mix was divine and just what I needed. </div><div><br></div><div>I needn't have bought the chippies and biscuits after all, but then tomorrow is another day and those chippies are really good (lemon grass and lime flavoured and you can't go wrong with a flavour combination like that). Which reminds me - lemons are scarce here and a crazy price. Limes on the other hand are as cheap as chips and everywhere; they are in everything.</div><div><br></div><div>I returned to my room and finished this blog while sitting on the deck, with the light on and pleasantly surprised that there were no bugs in sight. I could hear the crickets, the faint sound of music coming from far away, the monkeys, a pair of gheckos on the roof and something on the other side of the river making a noise that sounded a bit like a cuckoo but also a bit like the words "f@!k you". Not sure what that is. The sky is black to the left but to the right a feint glow presumably coming from the lights of Vientiane, which is not too far away. It is pleasantly warm but I am told that the temperature drops dramatically overnight. I might need the woolies.</div><div><br></div><div>The silence is broken by the hum of an airplane far in the distance. Bugger, it took me back to reality but it soon subsides and I sit still listening to nature.</div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm going to run out of books as I am already half way through one of the two new ones I bought with me but can worry about that tomorrow. I might have to go and do something physical, like, go for a walk. What I will do the next day remains to be see. I can worry about that then.</div></div><div><br></div><div>It will be an early night for me tonight. I hope I can sleep. Tomorrow will tell....... Goodnight from Ban Pako Eco Lodge</div></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4721787407175020214.post-47989500578799085922013-12-13T23:09:00.001+12:002013-12-14T01:47:34.372+12:00A nothing dayA nothing day today. I walked and walked and saw nothing of note, I slept, I rested, I went to Bianca's place and picked up some odds and ends. I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> read my book, uploaded photos and watched cooking shows on TV. Just seen one shot in Bali and it reminded me of the exceptionally good food I had in Ubud. Murnis Bebek Tutu and Obi Oka suckling pig were both a m a z i n g. Worth going back for! Definitely!</span><div><br></div><div>Another not quite average focaccia at Joma for lunch where I read the paper and had an OK coffee.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I head to Ban Pako Eco Lodge for three days. The lodge is <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">on an ancient temple site and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">about 50km north of Vientiane on the banks of the Nang Num river. It is apparently rustic and homeley so in that basis I am not expecting anything remotely plush but as long as it is quiet and relaxing I do not care. Apparently there are villages I can visit and, if feeling energetic, some treks I can do. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have a pile of books and intend doing very much of very little. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">No internet there so no blogs for a few days but will have them ready for posting when I get back to civilisation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For dinner I took myslef to a wee pizza shop at the end of the road, about 50 metres away. Solo Pizza. No sooner I had arrived and the guy there asked my how I was enjoying Mandala Hotel, the place I stayed in when I first came to Vientiane. Then I remembred that he was the guy I had asked directions from that first day a month ago. He does have a good memory. And he also makes a very mean pizza. Absolutely, superb Italian style pizza, sauce, good mozarella, anchovies, capers, olives and basil on a crisp thin crust with fat puffy edges. All accompanied by a BeerLao and just brilliant. Must come back again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I ate I read my book, "Ant Egg Soup" and am at the stage in the book where she is in the south at the coffee plantations, when Lao coffee was just starting to take off. At the time of writing Lao was planting and harvesting mainly the poor cousin of coffee the robusta beans, but now I understand that much of the crop is the better quality arabica bean. Plus of course, they do a luwak (civet poo) coffee as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am quite enjoying the local coffee, much milder and sweeter than South American and Italian blends and if the locals could learn to brew properly, it would be great. So far I have only found one place that actually expresses their coffee properly and that is la Banneton; all the others do a lovely thick crema but very much under expressed and lacking in body. Oh well. Much better than the states.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dinner over I set iff for the local deli just over the road. Chocolate was needed to finish off my meal. I raise my eyes and spy the gas station ahead and so instead of crossing the road I keep going to check out what the petrol station had to offer. No chocolate, but I did get a yum cappuccino Magnum. No more expensive that the deli (which is expensive) but it reminded me when living in Wellingotn we would give money to child to go to supermarket and buy us something specific. It was odd because we never got much change and then realised that said child was not going to supermarket to shop, but to gas station which was 20 odd steps closer.........</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And so another day draws to a close and anither adventure is about to begin. When I get back from the lodge it will nearly be time to leave again, this time for Hanoi for Xmas. I must say I am not missing Xmas fuss, shopping or celebrations at all and glad not to be part of any such things.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Good night from Manoly Hotel room 207.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div>Cotsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14942763625717589245noreply@blogger.com0