(Mini apology about the length of this one. You should definitely get comfortable!)
Once you get off the bus at any new place you are always surrounded by taxi drivers asking where you would like to go and if you've got accommodation booked. Don't get startled by it! Even if you've just been woken up and shoved off the bus and looking for a piece of warmth, don't do it. So glad we were part of group. Once we arrived in Hoian we were ambushed by multiple taxi drivers offering to take us. But lucky for us our hostel (Sunflower) emailed us to say let us know to call them when we arrive so they can send a minibus to pick us up. So good. Within ten minutes of being there (and a quick run to the loo because I was dying after holding it for 18 hours. To be honest I only needed to go in the last six hours) they were here to pick us up.
Hospital trip and adventure out:
So first mission as soon as we got there (and once we had sorted out our four bed room... amaze beds and beautiful heavy duvet- such warmth) was to get Charlotte's stitches out. Bless her, she had been stressing about it since we took a visit to Han oi hospital where we stepped into A&E and was horrified at the cleanliness and patients sprawled everywhere! It was not a pretty sight! The hospital here was a ten minute walk away from our hostel and wasn't as shocking as Hoi an. At least here they knew what to do with her foot and with her hand in mine, we stood by Charlotte as her stitches were removed (even one which had horrendously disappeared) and she had her foot back. Now it looks so much better and is healing really well.
The trauma was over.
We made our way back to the hostel and met with Faith (a girl we met back in Chiang Mai) and went for dinner with her. The place we went served nice food but just took the absolute time about it and when I ordered ice cream it came out in a martini glass with a tiny spoon and in a blob of ice. My face so did not hide the disappointment.
After a short taxi ride to the backpacker area for a cocktail and a dark stroll home we made it back to the room in one piece and knocked out.
Fusion shopping:
After a really good buffet breakfast consisting of an omelet, fruit, french bread and pancakes I was well charged up and ready to tackle the market.
The market was beautiful and the small cobbled streets by the river was lined with tailors, souvenir shops and traditional Vietnamese stuff shops. So tempting to buy stuff especially because it is so cheap! I did stop to buy a few gifts for family and friends and also a few postcards. I was also really really tempted to get a pair of suede boots made (which were only $60 dollars and would be customed made- sadly I didn't give into my temptation and walked out of the shop... regretfully).
Myself, Charlotte and Ed then keenly made our way across the river to find somewhere to chow down. We found an amazing place called Fusion Lounge which made the most delicious food. The decor and feel of the place too completely made it. I had an amazing fruit juice and a mmm and yummy prawn curry which arrived in a coconut shell. So yum...
Later that night we then made our way to a garden restaurant where I again chowed down to an amazing chicken hot pot and delicious golden bags of dessert. I was in food heaven (the Pina Colada also went down a treat too)!
Happy Birthday To Me:
It was sung to me in the morning by Mark, Ed and Charlotte as we all woke up and got ready to check out (honestly these guys that I'm travelling with are so awesome and great). We then headed back down to the market to eat at Fusion where the guys paid for my lunch and mango daiquiri! :) We then headed back to Sunflower to be picked up for our next sleeper bus to Nha Trang.
The journey:
I actually had no choice but to sleep at the back on the double. The driver literally shooed me to the back of the bus with two other guys and I was like no way! Luckily for me, one of the guys was a lovely Australian man who we were with during the rest of the Nha Trang trip, and suggested Charlotte come join me instead. In the end it was me and Charlotte clinging on for dear life at the back of the bus whilst we drove over the bumpiest bumps ever. At one point in the night one of the bus people jumped onto the spare sleeper seat next to Charlotte with his duvet and pillow and fell asleep (on the bright side he did share his duvet a little when he felt like it). We were shivering like penguins under the one blanket they supplied us and Charlotte's beach towel. Stupid me was wearing my denim shorts and a white top to sleep... Not the most comfortable pyjamas ever! I made a promise to myself that I would find my fluffy socks for the next journey. The air conditioning was on all night and I found myself awake through most of the journey. The bumps, the little prospect of death as we overtook around a bend on a cliff and the cold air made it the worst bus journey ever. And when we stopped we witnessed an agitated Ed say to Mark he will never travel on a sleeper bus again and angrily storm off the bus (little did he know we'd be on it one night later).
We arrived in Nha Trang at 6.30am and the five of us (including the Peter, the Aussie) caught a cab to Mojzo Inn. The most cutest and friendliest Vietnamese women met us at the entrance and introduced herself and handed us an ice cold cloth to wipe our face and a bottle of water and told us our rooms weren't ready but we were welcome to wait in the common area on the sofas.
We all melted onto the sofas and then decided to get some breakfast as our rooms weren't ready. We indulged in a tasty full English then went for a cheeky stroll along the beach (accident proned: Ed stepped on a nail and was bleeding all over the place... what a bunch of accidents we were). During our walk we filled Peter in on our travel stories and introduced the whole 'myth' story (good old Wilson)!
Back at the hostel (still absolutely dead) some if slept whilst others wrote blogs and took showers. By 2pm we were back out and about looking for food and making a visit to the temple and a rock.
Stonehenge but not:
We caught a bus to the temple (Po Naga Cham) and explored around it. It was built of orange and brown brick and looked beautiful when the sun hit it. We then adventured on to eat... we were so hungry at this point anything would do. We stopped at a street stall and decided to eat here (I think I was being a little too cautious as I kind of assumed the predominant meat used in soups and food here was beef). We sat down and tucked into a noodle soup with shrimp or fish and a stick of bread. It so filled the gap. We then went on to enjoy an award winning vietnamese coffee which did not disappoint.
We carried on walking towards these rocks Mark told us about that we should see. When we got there the sun was just setting and we clambered over the rocks and boulders (cautiously as my sandles were not designed for climbing) to sit and enjoy the sunset. Mark and Peter also spotted two guys who were crab fishing. It looked like so much fun.
BBQ Buffet and Cocktails:
Armed with Peter and our new roomy, Shivani, we made our way to a bar for a cheeky drink (buy two get one free cocktails) and then towards a buffet place we passed earlier that day. It was cook your own food kind of BBQ and Peter and another new friend Ryan (an American) were designated cookers and cooked the food amazingly well as none of us had food poisoning the next day. We tried all sorts: chicken, crocodile, duck, oyster, things you wouldn't usually bbq. There was also an assortment of starters including fish bhajya, chips and fresh spring rolls. I hadn't eaten so much since I had left the UK and even struggled to finish my ice cream (the Pina Colada went down really well though)! The lads headed out but the girls headed home. That night my head hit the pillow and I was gone!
Beach day and another sleeper:
Today was just a complete day of rest! We woke up (the guys went down for breakfast whilst I had an cheeky extra ten minute nap) and we headed down to the beach to lounge for the rest of the day. We were all feeling pretty battered still from all the travelling we'd been doing and needed a day of rest. So I fell asleep!! I yammed a tastey pumpkin and hummus sandwich and then knocked out completely for a good hour. It was so good! We then played a game of feather spring. This is such a cool thinhg and I've now actually brought one so you can all give it a go at home.
We spent the whole day on a sunlounger on the beach. What a day! Before we left we headed to Olivia's to eat, nommed pasta, garlic bread and an orange crepe!
The road to Hoi Chi Minh was awkward but not as bumpy as the last sleeper. Previously unbeknown to us we could choose our seats and the one time we didn't want our top bunk front row seats we were made to sit in them. I slept in the middle bunk at top and fell 'asleep' listening to gnomeo and juliet and kal ho no ho on the hudl and Charlotte and Ed were right at the front of the bus enjoying front row seats! At one point in the night Mark asked me to mind his bag whilst he stepped off the bus (we'd stopped for a toilet break) and I was startled when he took back his bag as I was fast asleep and was ready to shout as I thought someone was taking his bag!
Having to spend diwali, christmas, new years and my birthday away from home was really different for me. I obviously missed my family (especially my mum) and friends but have been really blessed to have been able to spend it with a great bunch of people and especially having Charlotte, Mark and Ed around for my birthday made it one I will truely not forget! Its been an amazing end to 2013 and an exceptional start to 2014! x
Once you get off the bus at any new place you are always surrounded by taxi drivers asking where you would like to go and if you've got accommodation booked. Don't get startled by it! Even if you've just been woken up and shoved off the bus and looking for a piece of warmth, don't do it. So glad we were part of group. Once we arrived in Hoian we were ambushed by multiple taxi drivers offering to take us. But lucky for us our hostel (Sunflower) emailed us to say let us know to call them when we arrive so they can send a minibus to pick us up. So good. Within ten minutes of being there (and a quick run to the loo because I was dying after holding it for 18 hours. To be honest I only needed to go in the last six hours) they were here to pick us up.
Hospital trip and adventure out:
So first mission as soon as we got there (and once we had sorted out our four bed room... amaze beds and beautiful heavy duvet- such warmth) was to get Charlotte's stitches out. Bless her, she had been stressing about it since we took a visit to Han oi hospital where we stepped into A&E and was horrified at the cleanliness and patients sprawled everywhere! It was not a pretty sight! The hospital here was a ten minute walk away from our hostel and wasn't as shocking as Hoi an. At least here they knew what to do with her foot and with her hand in mine, we stood by Charlotte as her stitches were removed (even one which had horrendously disappeared) and she had her foot back. Now it looks so much better and is healing really well.
The trauma was over.
We made our way back to the hostel and met with Faith (a girl we met back in Chiang Mai) and went for dinner with her. The place we went served nice food but just took the absolute time about it and when I ordered ice cream it came out in a martini glass with a tiny spoon and in a blob of ice. My face so did not hide the disappointment.
After a short taxi ride to the backpacker area for a cocktail and a dark stroll home we made it back to the room in one piece and knocked out.
Fusion shopping:
After a really good buffet breakfast consisting of an omelet, fruit, french bread and pancakes I was well charged up and ready to tackle the market.
The market was beautiful and the small cobbled streets by the river was lined with tailors, souvenir shops and traditional Vietnamese stuff shops. So tempting to buy stuff especially because it is so cheap! I did stop to buy a few gifts for family and friends and also a few postcards. I was also really really tempted to get a pair of suede boots made (which were only $60 dollars and would be customed made- sadly I didn't give into my temptation and walked out of the shop... regretfully).
Myself, Charlotte and Ed then keenly made our way across the river to find somewhere to chow down. We found an amazing place called Fusion Lounge which made the most delicious food. The decor and feel of the place too completely made it. I had an amazing fruit juice and a mmm and yummy prawn curry which arrived in a coconut shell. So yum...
Later that night we then made our way to a garden restaurant where I again chowed down to an amazing chicken hot pot and delicious golden bags of dessert. I was in food heaven (the Pina Colada also went down a treat too)!
Happy Birthday To Me:
It was sung to me in the morning by Mark, Ed and Charlotte as we all woke up and got ready to check out (honestly these guys that I'm travelling with are so awesome and great). We then headed back down to the market to eat at Fusion where the guys paid for my lunch and mango daiquiri! :) We then headed back to Sunflower to be picked up for our next sleeper bus to Nha Trang.
The journey:
I actually had no choice but to sleep at the back on the double. The driver literally shooed me to the back of the bus with two other guys and I was like no way! Luckily for me, one of the guys was a lovely Australian man who we were with during the rest of the Nha Trang trip, and suggested Charlotte come join me instead. In the end it was me and Charlotte clinging on for dear life at the back of the bus whilst we drove over the bumpiest bumps ever. At one point in the night one of the bus people jumped onto the spare sleeper seat next to Charlotte with his duvet and pillow and fell asleep (on the bright side he did share his duvet a little when he felt like it). We were shivering like penguins under the one blanket they supplied us and Charlotte's beach towel. Stupid me was wearing my denim shorts and a white top to sleep... Not the most comfortable pyjamas ever! I made a promise to myself that I would find my fluffy socks for the next journey. The air conditioning was on all night and I found myself awake through most of the journey. The bumps, the little prospect of death as we overtook around a bend on a cliff and the cold air made it the worst bus journey ever. And when we stopped we witnessed an agitated Ed say to Mark he will never travel on a sleeper bus again and angrily storm off the bus (little did he know we'd be on it one night later).
We arrived in Nha Trang at 6.30am and the five of us (including the Peter, the Aussie) caught a cab to Mojzo Inn. The most cutest and friendliest Vietnamese women met us at the entrance and introduced herself and handed us an ice cold cloth to wipe our face and a bottle of water and told us our rooms weren't ready but we were welcome to wait in the common area on the sofas.
We all melted onto the sofas and then decided to get some breakfast as our rooms weren't ready. We indulged in a tasty full English then went for a cheeky stroll along the beach (accident proned: Ed stepped on a nail and was bleeding all over the place... what a bunch of accidents we were). During our walk we filled Peter in on our travel stories and introduced the whole 'myth' story (good old Wilson)!
Back at the hostel (still absolutely dead) some if slept whilst others wrote blogs and took showers. By 2pm we were back out and about looking for food and making a visit to the temple and a rock.
Stonehenge but not:
We caught a bus to the temple (Po Naga Cham) and explored around it. It was built of orange and brown brick and looked beautiful when the sun hit it. We then adventured on to eat... we were so hungry at this point anything would do. We stopped at a street stall and decided to eat here (I think I was being a little too cautious as I kind of assumed the predominant meat used in soups and food here was beef). We sat down and tucked into a noodle soup with shrimp or fish and a stick of bread. It so filled the gap. We then went on to enjoy an award winning vietnamese coffee which did not disappoint.
We carried on walking towards these rocks Mark told us about that we should see. When we got there the sun was just setting and we clambered over the rocks and boulders (cautiously as my sandles were not designed for climbing) to sit and enjoy the sunset. Mark and Peter also spotted two guys who were crab fishing. It looked like so much fun.
BBQ Buffet and Cocktails:
Armed with Peter and our new roomy, Shivani, we made our way to a bar for a cheeky drink (buy two get one free cocktails) and then towards a buffet place we passed earlier that day. It was cook your own food kind of BBQ and Peter and another new friend Ryan (an American) were designated cookers and cooked the food amazingly well as none of us had food poisoning the next day. We tried all sorts: chicken, crocodile, duck, oyster, things you wouldn't usually bbq. There was also an assortment of starters including fish bhajya, chips and fresh spring rolls. I hadn't eaten so much since I had left the UK and even struggled to finish my ice cream (the Pina Colada went down really well though)! The lads headed out but the girls headed home. That night my head hit the pillow and I was gone!
Beach day and another sleeper:
Today was just a complete day of rest! We woke up (the guys went down for breakfast whilst I had an cheeky extra ten minute nap) and we headed down to the beach to lounge for the rest of the day. We were all feeling pretty battered still from all the travelling we'd been doing and needed a day of rest. So I fell asleep!! I yammed a tastey pumpkin and hummus sandwich and then knocked out completely for a good hour. It was so good! We then played a game of feather spring. This is such a cool thinhg and I've now actually brought one so you can all give it a go at home.
We spent the whole day on a sunlounger on the beach. What a day! Before we left we headed to Olivia's to eat, nommed pasta, garlic bread and an orange crepe!
The road to Hoi Chi Minh was awkward but not as bumpy as the last sleeper. Previously unbeknown to us we could choose our seats and the one time we didn't want our top bunk front row seats we were made to sit in them. I slept in the middle bunk at top and fell 'asleep' listening to gnomeo and juliet and kal ho no ho on the hudl and Charlotte and Ed were right at the front of the bus enjoying front row seats! At one point in the night Mark asked me to mind his bag whilst he stepped off the bus (we'd stopped for a toilet break) and I was startled when he took back his bag as I was fast asleep and was ready to shout as I thought someone was taking his bag!
Having to spend diwali, christmas, new years and my birthday away from home was really different for me. I obviously missed my family (especially my mum) and friends but have been really blessed to have been able to spend it with a great bunch of people and especially having Charlotte, Mark and Ed around for my birthday made it one I will truely not forget! Its been an amazing end to 2013 and an exceptional start to 2014! x
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| The sleeper bus. Its neon colour would strain your eyes till 11.30pm! |
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| The best kind of coffee I've ever tasted. Its a self filter thing with condensed milk at the bottom of the glass. |
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| The Japanese bridge in Hoi an |
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| A beautiful alley in Hoi an whilst we were looking at the stalls in the market by the river |
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| Birthday cocktail in Hoi an |
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| Hello Nha Trang. We didn't exactly appreciate the beauty of it until the day after |
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| The Po Naga Cham temple |
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| The view from the temple hill over looking the city |
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| Smile!! |
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| Crazy wires just above our heads as we walked through Hoi an |
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| A beautiful temple in Hoi an |
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| Getting traditional and cultured in Hoi an |
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| Fusion prawn curry... so yum! |
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| A cheeky selfie to finish |
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