Very hot in vietnam!

After quite the mission of a bus ride, think I lost a few brain cells in that one, we arrived in Saigon, and checked in with madam cuc. Saigon itself (known more formely as ho chi minh) is a crazy place, i really am suprised more people dont die on the rooad in a day to day basis, it was a truly frightnening experience. And if the motorbikes dont get you than I can only imagine the type of damage all those thousands of wires in the street can do! I did enjoy the market though, as I always do, the crafts and accessories, I could look all day! The war remnants museum was a bit of a let down, though I entertained myself by trying to figure out the presidential lineage leading up to and after the vietnam war. The photos were also extremely impressive and I think it was probably worth my $1!

Pleased to get out of the death trap that is Saigon, our overnight train arrived, very promptly, in nha trang at 6am! We checked into our hostel-may oui, and after a little nap were awoken by KAY! So excited to see each other our day at the beach flew by, swimming and eating, and the weather was amazing, although VERY HOT! Our time in nha trang pretty much followed the same pattern. The beach itself is very pretty, although the town I think is still working on it!

Our next stop up the coast was Hue, pronounced who-ey? Hue was maybe the hottest place since australia. I had all the intention of walking round the historical citidel but when sweat is coming out of your eylids one glimse of the massive stone wall is quite enough before refreshment is required! We were sad to see kay leave but she will reenter the adventures in less than two weeks! Our second day in Hue we chartered a dragon boad to take a trip up the river, a perfect way to watch the world go by and get some sun. We stopped at a pagoda and temple, very chinese in architecture, but I was most fascinated by the floating markets and houses. The river is like its own town. The lady on our boat hopped off onto another and 5 minutes later she was back to cook us lunch!

From Hue to Hanoi is a long overnight train, leaving at 3pm, on which we slept the entire way! literally. Arriving in hanoi at about 4.30am. After another nap and breakfast it was time to explore Hanoi, which is so packed with life and character. Its not quite the death trap of saigon, but still pretty hairy when crossing the road! I could eat and shop here every day and never get bored. The french influence means the cuising has been quite delightful also and you can never get enough of people in coned hats asking if you want banana or pineapple! The fastest and most fun way to get around is by motorbike! For next to nothing you can find yourself whizzing around the streets with the wind in your face (much needed) and within moments you are at your destination! Great fun!! kind of makes me want a motorbike (just kidding mum!) If a motorbike is not for you, you can also be pedaled around on a cyclo, a little seat with a big bicycle behind where a man sweats away taking you to where you want to go! After some relaxation time (which seems like an oxymoron in such a vibrant city) we are soon off to Shanghai, in a round about way..china is not easy to get to...watch this space!

cooler in cambodia, just kidding!

After the luxury of a flight into cambodia we made our way to our hostel in phnom penh, grandview hotel, where our room just about fitted us and our bags. We explored our 'street'-if u can call it that, more of a mud path, but very cute-full of little restaurants and bars! We visited the SE2 museum in phnom pen, an old high school turned security prison during the take over of the kyhmer rouge, there they held many high officials in order to get information. It was, as expected, pretty gruesome, but very interesting nonetheless. Nearly all prisoners held here were later executed at the killing fields, although these we did not visit-the museum was sufficient!

Our bumpy bus ride to siem reap deserves a mention, for the scenery was really something. Not in terms of landscape, well actually that too, but just to watch life go by. The bamboo houses and villages by the side of the road reminded me a little of kenya. Cambodia is obviously still struggling tremendously 30 years after the regime fell, and tourism is set to boom. After arriving in seam reap we checked into our hostel there, Jasmine, which was just perfect, a nice rooftop restaurant and extremely helpful staff! We booked ourselves a little tuk tuk to tour us round angkor wat, and had heard that it was quite spectacular at sunrise. Of course that would be the day it was cloudy and the sun didnt rise! Still angkor wat itself is definately worth the pilgramage. It has a mysterious aura around it which makes it just fascinating, as well as structurally beautiful. The compound itself consists of a few temples, my favourite being the one where large stone faces stare down at you!

Our evening in Seam reap was well spent too, we perused a few market stalls (im always one for a bit of market) then had a drink before enjoying some traditional khymer cuisine-at the khymer kitchen. mmm. can still taste the pumpkin!

Next mission: 12 hour bus ride to vietnam!

Shopping, Eating and Massage in Chang Mai

The title of this post speaks for itself. Having already been to chang mai I had prepared myself for this shopping spree, although was very restrained (possibly due to lack of bank card, maybe I lost it at the right time)! Our guest house, smile, was very cute and right in the centre with a pool. So we swam, ate, drank, shopped and then after all that stress had a massage! We also enjoyed a cooking class and are now expert thai chefs! I wish sticky rice could be in my life everyday.

After four stressful days in chang mai it was time to head back for one more night in Bangkok before heading to Cambodia!

Cold showers and Hard floors...

We arrived in Bangkok.... I cant remember the exact date, was so long ago! Anyhoo we arrived, checked ourselves into a wee hotel before embarking on our volunteer project the next day. Our project was based at the temple of dawn, wat arun, one of the royal temples here in bangkok, and one of the oldest. That means that the king will have to read about us volunteers being here, i feel pretty special about that. Our accomodation was a short drive down the road from the temple, where we slept on the floor-supposedly very good for your back, although the first few nights I was not so sure about this statement! The lack of hot water I think was a blessing for there was nothing so refreshing as a cold shower after a day of sticky bangkok...

Our days at the temple were taught teaching students in their late teens and elementary school children at a morning 'summer camp' around the corner in their school. Some afternoons we would also go to the hitachi headquarters to teach the adults who work there. There are now many children running around bangkok fluent in Tripp Lake Camp songs! We loved our students, both children and adults-the hitachi classes had us laughing until our stomachs hurt (altho that may have been hunger...we have had alot of plain white rice at the temple..!)...

While at the temple we have also been learning to meditate, in my case this should supposedly help my concentration but my concentration seems to hinder my meditation so the battle continues for me to find my zen! We have also been entertained by the head monk here, who is possibly one of the most hilarious characters I have ever come accross, I shall miss his forcing us to speak thai and showing us all his inventions before having us attempt, yet again, to chop up a coconut. My favourite quote 'ah..you better chop mango'...