Final Day!

Well, here we are, the final day of our trip. I can't believe it! It's gone by super fast, we have seen some incredible things over the past month, and we didn't kill each other ;) Even better! In all honesty, the trip was just a blessing. We have never spent this much time together in our dating career thus far, and it was just like one big date :-). .. with a few hiccups along the way, but overall a success. Today we went to the Cu Chi tunnels. AKA the coolest tour one can do in Vietnam for a total of $9 US! We drove in a crowded bus with some fun Germans, about 1.5 hours out of HCMC. However, you don't ever really feel like you leave the city as the city just goes and goes and goes... anyhoo, the Cu Chi tunnels are a series of underground tunnels that the Vietcong used during the war. There are 3 tiers to the depths of these, with the first tier only reach 3 m below ground level and the second tier going down to 6 m, and so forth. All of the soil that was dug out was hauled slowly across the landscape and disposed of either in the Saigon River or in the rice fields. They have been expanded to allow for Western tourists, but I believe they are now 40 cm wide and 90 cm in height; when the Vietcong used these tunnels they were 1/2 the size! There were hospitals underground, kitchens, sleeping quarters, areas to fights, areas to build weapons and the entire network was filled with boobie traps and such to keep the enemy at bay. They used termite mounds as a means to get air into the tunnel and smoke from the kitchen was diverted meters away from the actual kitchen. People were born in these tunnels, people lived most of their lives in here.. it was incredible. We went in through 20 m of the tunnel, 6 m underground. Steven did the whole 150 m; I popped out and then when back in, it was hot, humid and dark... 20 m was suffice for me. We ended our trip and have been just wandering HCMC ever since. I did however find my favorite store "Mango Mng" and have purchased 2 wicked dresses for work / summer. Albiet, I am a little poorer now. Anyhoo, we leave tomorrow and arrive in Ctown around 1 am. A fabulous trip and I am so happy to have shared it with Steven. See you soon!

Cheesy Place... but Perfect

So we flew from Phu Quoc to HCMC to Dalat. We arrived and just hopped in a taxi thinking, finally, no one bugged us and pushed us into some $35 adventure.. then realized, holy shit, this is a far ride to the city from the airport. Dainit! We should have taken the $2 shuttle versus the $25 cab ride! Grrr. Oh well. Lesson learned.

Anyhoo, I was disappointed when we first arrived as I thought we arrived in the middle of a forest fire, the haze and smoke over the mountains was so thick you could barely breathe and the drop to 24 degrees from 35, was definitely noticeable.

But the next morning, we woke to beautiful blue skies, 25 degrees and an incredible city. We rented a scooter, and Steven navigated us through the city, and we had a blast at "The Crazy House". This house would be the equivalent on being on mushrooms and being in the Alice and Wonderland film, but basically, rooms we animal themed, staircases went to no where, and you could sit in the tiniest room and have a tea. It was so much fun! We had a blast getting lost in its walls and could see that the house is still expanding and breaking about 100 Cdn construction laws we walked through the construction zone seeing where the house would be in a few years!

Then, on the bike we went. I'll be honest, this portion of the ride is where Steven lost his temper with me. Rightly so. I was freaked out on the back of the bike a huge bus past us and I yelled "HOLY F*** Steven" not at him, but at the bus, and unfortunately jolted the bike as well. It was at this point I was duly corrected for being an ass on the back of a bike as it puts both of us in danger.. but holy shit, I could have had put my elbow out and touch the bus it was that close. I feel my actions were justified, but not the moving of the bike portion...

We then made it to Datlana Waterfalls, walked all the way down to the base saw the mediocre falls and then walked back up to take the "rollercoaster" down and back up again. Apparently Steven got enough speed to put his cart on 2 wheels, but I was to afraid to get that much air!

We then went to Prenn Falls, which was the beginning of the cheese. Picture a theme park with fake animals everywhere... it was so odd it was creepy. We then walked to a pagoda on the top of a mountain, I swear there was over 3000 stairs, to see a group of Vietnamese workers burning brush, start a tree on fire, and have them scream and laugh as they tried to avert a disaster. They just burn all the fallen branches, not really allowing for true decomposition to occur.. i wonder what will happen to their nutrient source in their soils in a few years time...

The next day we did the same, rented a scooter, went to the Emperor's Summer Palace, another great 1930's building decorated so uniquely, we both loved it. We then took a gondala ride over the city, and then went to the Valley of Love. The whole day was out of "how to be a cheesy couple 101" book, but man, it was too funny to pass up. Picture a park, now picture, everything cheesy about relationship paraphernalia (swan paddle boats, water fountains of people holding hands, you name it!), then put in the creepy kids play ground with no one in it (amusement rides) and doves everywhere.. the only thing good about it is that its a natural area that they keep clean. The water was clean, the grounds were clean... one of the few place in Vietnam without garbage!

We are back in HCMC now. Today the plan is to shop and then tomorrow hit the CuChi tunnels and then home Sunday.. Crazy!

Aunt Elaine: I don't have your email addy here, but I just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you, Laura and AJ. Uncle Dennis made me laugh (i.e., a good guy has to drive a truck and be from Saskatchewan!) and I am so happy the four of you were together and you had my mom with you. Sending you a big big hug and I wish I could be in Regina for you. Love you lots! xx

Paradise

We spent the evening in Rach Gia, right near the pier. I don't think I slept at all that night as between the dogs fighting and the people up at the crack of dawn.. it was a long night. We, however, swear we were the only white people in the town. As we walked at night everyone said Hello, Hello. Kids, adults, everyone. If you know of my favourite show (and Steven's) "Arrested Development", all we wanted to reply was "Anung". Over and over.. it was hilarious.

During this walk, we had the best BBQ chicken ever, I told Steven to watch out and proceeded to stub my toe and lose most of my right big toe nail. OUCH. Steven had me on the bed was cleaning my foot and cutting my toe nail off. That was one for the books. It's been a few days now and the salt water doesn't burn anymore...

Either way we took the ferry over in the morning and ended up in Paradise by 10:40 am. It's hot, it's tropical, white sand for miles, a roaring ocean in the background. All in all a perfect place to stay. We ended up extending our stay for one more night and we will be flying to Dalat on the 5th and staying their til the 7th where we will return to Saigon to finish up a few tours we want to do in that area.

Yesterday, we rented scooters and took off to find the most beautiful beach I have ever been too. The water was clear, you could see jelly fish, crabs, fishes, and we could walk in what I would classify as a warm if not hot bath for miles. Steven has the better pics but I have posted a few. We walked down the beach a bit, past a whopping 10 people and had our own piece of paradise for the afternoon. We set up shop under a palm tree and read, swam, tanned and repeated. However, the "tan" didn't really occur and you have two red lobsters now. I feel sorry for our offspring if we ever go down that path.. neither of us were blessed with skin that tans! We scootered back, looking for ice cream (I settled on a full banana split for myself) and We crashed after supper. The sun just kills you! We have been sleeping 10 - 12 hours each night that we have been here!

We did try and watch the sunset, but what was more amusing was the group of Vietnamese men on vacation in the bungalows in front of us. They were so drunk, cat calling at all the young ladies and one guy made me laugh so hard as he ran back to the room, singing the whole way and the proceeded to sit under the shower that is just used to wash your feet. Picture a grown man in a fetal position under a water spout. Man did we laugh.

Note: I have no vertical as evident by the photo above. Two beaches are shown, the one off our resort and the other at Sao Beach.

HCMC (Saigon)

So we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) around 11 pm 2 days ago (note: I have no idea what day of the week it is), anyhoo, I was bagged and crashed but Steven went out for a few beers. Apparently when he came home and talked to me I sounded something of a person on drugs unable to form words or coherent speech..

The next day we walked and walked throughout Saigon. We bought some iced coffees and played frogger crossing the streets. People in the south (compared to Hanoi) seem so much more prosperous, and the city feels more western then what we have experienced. We got lost in the streets, went to a very trendy pub (we called it the Melrose of Saigon) and had a blast in the heat and sunshine.

We did do some proper tourist stuff along the way and visited the Reunification Palace (Independent Palace), basically its like walking through a 1960's mansion with everything styled art-deco 60ish, with the added bonus that you feel like you are in a James Bond film as you do walk through the bomb shelters, go through the old radio rooms, as this was where the president lived during the war and the building that was bombed by the Americans and where a tank busted through the gates prior to the south surrendering. We then made our way up the War Remnants museum, this is the first Vietnam war memorbilia that we visited. I was in tears walking through the tiger cages, reading about how people were tortured and was distraught after seeing the impacts of agent orange (dioxin) on the people of Vietnam. THis is more than just going through a display and seeing what happened in the past, you see people on the streets of Vietnam that are deformed from when this chemical was sprayed as it is past genetically from generation to generation not only in deformities, but also with rare diseases. Both Steven and I were taken back by this and left the museum a bit down and thankful for the life we have been given and not having to experience such horror. I really did appreciate the one exhibit as taken from the eyes of journalists. The photos were so real, so close to what was actually happening during the war, I really appreciated seeing the pics from their standpoint. I did leave the museum wondering how come individuals such as Senator Kerry who admitted to killing (deboweling) children in front of their Grandma aren't put through trial for their crimes against humanity. For what I read people were killed just because they were in the way, no one knew who they were fighting and as a result were killing everyone. I am not claiming to know anything about this war, but I do know I want to learn more and I did feel deeply moved by this museum. I will point out this museum was truly one sided and the Americans were held in the poorest light throughout the entire time. I do think its important to get more than one side of the story.

We then booked our first tour, and made our way south to Rach Gia. We stopped at a coconut candy making place, saw how pho (rice paper and noodles) are made, went to a floating market, went to a fruit plantation (jackfruit is yummy) and meandered along the various rivers. Steven and I separate from the group after staying in Cat Tho and took the most crowded, hottest, bounciest, noisiest bus ever. Noise is from the ear-chilling,piercing music they played. Steven was kind enough to give me the ipod for the first 2 hours and I fell asleep which made the ride that much easier. But our bus was $4 and really we were trying to save some money. The last 3 days have cost us $55 each for the tour, hotel, travel, and food and when we go to the island tomorrow our hotel (resort) is $55 / night. I would like to fly back to Saigon, but flights aren't as cheap as we anticipated. Though we jokingly said we might just stay on the island for the next 10 days.. who knows. The goal is to tan, go swimming, drink repeat for the next 4 days.

We've learned a lot over the last 2 weeks as we have never spent so much time together. I won't lie, it has been at time WW3; but we have had a lot of fun, shared a lot of laughs and over all have enjoyed this trip so far.

Temples, Beauty, Sickness, Poverty

So Steven was beyond ill, the last 2 days have been rough for him and his invincibility cloak he brags about was demolished as the poor guy spent more time in the bathroom then visiting Ankor. Thank heaven for electrolyte tablets and antibiotics. He stayed in the hotel yesterday and I ventured out on my own. A couple apparently becomes closer after all you discuss is poo consistency for 2 days... but apparently there is a double standard... We can discuss Steven's poo.. but not my own.. but I digress. :)

So I decided to cheap out and only pay $2 for a bike with a basket instead of the $3 for a mountain bike. As I was leaving the town, I thought, you know you should really turnaround... then thought, nah, it won't be that bad. I then proceeded to bike over 45 km in plus 30 heat. At the end I couldn't care if I saw another temple, and I almost paid a guy to put my bike in a tuktuk and go home.. but I persevered and paid for it later.. but in the end it was worth it.

I did the big circuit of the Angkor area and believe me it was stunning.. over 800,000 people lived in the area over 1000 years ago, and the intricacy of the walls, pillars, ceilings was incredible. It took over 37 years to build Angkor Wat, I couldn't imaging how long it took to build the entire empire. It was stunning.

I finally made it back went for a mandatory massage and then Steven and I sorted out where to go next. We originally wanted to go down to Phnom Penh and then to the killing fields, but we are not overly impressed with Cambodia. Don't get me wrong its beautiful, but it is very tiring to have people constantly ask you for money. I am not trying to sound self-absorbed, or non-helpful, its just that you can't help everyone and we tried to help out someone here and there, but it broke my heart I can't help everyone. Yesterday, I met one of the guards and she asked me if we needed a tuk tuk for today, I said sure. We ended up paying him $30 for the day and he was so thankful. He was incredible and though our tuk tuk broke and I almost fell out at one point we wanted to give him what he deserved. It's hard to see so much poverty around you and I feel terrible for living like a queen around them. As such, we are returning to Vietnam tonight and will make our way south to the island of Phu Quoc, which, coincidentally, my friend Janet who I work out with will be staying at the same hotel over the same nights.. can't wait!

Today, we did the small circuit and we saw the Ta Phom which is the visual you think of when you think of Angkor and tomb raider.. trees have over taken the temples and fences and it is beautiful. There are also a lot of dark corners and I managed to hide behind one and successfully scare the shit out of Steven. So worth it. It still makes me laugh.

We then took a tour of the floating villages south of Siem Reap. This was an awful experience for me as I can't believe that they are just ripping out the river banks to make the river bigger so more tourists can get through, that most of the stopping points just ask you for money, and we ended up buying food for an orphanage and the kids ripped the bags open and through all the garbage into the river... then when we got back, we had a tip for our guide and he told us it wasn't enough and that each of us had to pay him $5. I hated the entire thing. We also know now why Steven got sick, the fish he had was from this village, the water was so dirty and the people just shit in the water, so it all makes sense.

We were thankful to finish that tour and be back in town. Our flight leaves at 10 tonight, so it will be a late night, but we are welcome to it.

Overall, I loved seeing Angkor, but we definitely have liked Vietnam better so far, Steven is definitely partial to Vietnam as the 2 days of being sick has left a bad taste in his mouth.. no pun intended.

Regardless, the trip was definitely worth it!

Cambodia!

We flew from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and from Saigon to Siem Reep in Cambodia.

After opening the door to the plane, we were greeted to +29 temperature, warm smiles and an amazing country. As mentioned previously we decided to spoil ourselves and treated ourselves to a beautiful hotel. I'll be honest, both of us don't want to leave this place. Picture opening your door to your hotel and to be welcomed to a lotus pond and ankor statue in the center of the room, yes, my own personal waterfall and lotus flower pond with water lilies, a rain shower, a king bed with mosquito netting all around... all for $60. We had a romantic dinner on the rooftop patio where we were the only people at the restaurant, great food, 2 bottles of wine and a genuinely perfect evening.

Today we rented bikes and biked to Ankor Wat. I forgot my Cambodia book so I didn't realize that you had to go to a separate gate to get your ticket. The guard ended up putting us on his scooter (yes, 3 grown people on a scooter) and whisked away to the proper gate. Everyone was laughing at us, as the Cambodians had to put our feet on the bike as we didn't know where or how to squish on a bike like that. Many laughs.

We then toured Ankor Wat, only one of many temples we plan to explore over the next few days. It was gorgeous, breath-taking, stunning, surreal. Words can't describe what I saw and felt today and was truly taken back on something absolutely beautiful.

We tried to go to other temples, but our bike lock was broken and we couldn't get our bikes separated... so we rented a tuk tuk and us and the bikes traveled back to the city. We both were a bit hungover today, so touring really wasn't in the itinerary, so we will likely stay another day to make up for the lost day. However, we just layed by the pool all afternoon. Steven is ill (I believe food poisoning) so the aircon room is just what he needs. I chatted with some expats all afternoon, and am off for a massage. I think tomorrow I will be touring on my own, as its always best to be sick near a clean toilet when traveling. Poor guy. The front desk had iced towels so I think I will swap out towels for Steven every now and then as he fights this over the next few days. :(

Well, off to check on my man. Hope all is well!

Dumb & Dumber

Do you remember Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in the movie Dumb and Dumber, cold, shivering and on a scooter. You do. Now that you have that image in your head.. picture Steven and I on a bike in the pouring rain, traveling 30 km between Danang and Hoi An. Steven tells the story

better than I .. but I will try

We rented a scooter to go back to Hoi An to pick up our goodies.. so we decided to stop at Marble Mountain on the way. We hiked up to the top, saw beautiful pagodas, crawled through caves and popped out on the other side of the mountain. When we finished, (with asses of steel now), it started to rain. I said to Steven.. you know, why don't we go back to the hotel and pick up your rain pants for me... all I heard was "I knew it!"..

He laughed, and being the gentleman he is, we take off back the 10 km, back to the hotel to pick up his pants for me.. while on the highway, I said to Steven.. you know, we really don't have to go back, as its fine for me back here. Not realizing that he was taking all of the rain in the face and was soaking wet from the trip. What is even better, he had to grin and squint to see, and to keep his helmet on.. I am still laughing as I write this, as it was pretty comfortable for me on that bike.. but Steven took it all. If you have the chance, have him tell the story.. it's hilarious.

We then had another great meal at the restaurant I spoke of last time. This time we had clams simmered in herbs and bbq'd shrimp. So Yummy!

We then went back to Hoi An and I am a terrible backseat driver and Steven was so funny on the bike making fun of me, I think we laughed the entire time. THe drive is along China Beach and if you can picture hotel after hotel, similar to Mexico but without anyone in them as they are being constructed, it is quite the site.

We picked up our wares, and were at first a bit disappointed as nothing fit, but they were quick and everything was fixed and ready for us by 7. The suit that we had made for Steven is spectacular and we will be ordering from this lady again and having work shipped to Canada. She has our measurements and it is so worth it!

We then had to drive back to Danang. Steven was quite impressed that I managed to get 2 winter coats, 3 suits into my backpack and had two bags squished between us and Steven had a bag on his front as we biked back to Danang. It rained the entire time and we laughed the entire way back.

Yesterday, the owner of the hotel and the IT guy (Chen and Ken), drove us to Hue (2 1/2 hour drive) and we saw the incredible Citidel that is over 1000 years old and only had been out of use for 60 years but was destroyed by the war . We could walk over all the ruins and it was beautiful. We spent 2 hours lost in its walls and Steven saw his first elephant. A great day!

We then when to My Khen pagoda which is along the Perfume River. We don't really understand what we are seeing but it is beautiful. We understand that each layer of the pagoda reflects anothe budha and I love watching the monks sing and pray in the temples.

We then went for traditional Hue food. It was various foods mushed with rice paste and steamed in banana leafs. I couldn't do the shrimp as it was the entire shrimp, in its shell with the head.. but Steven liked it. The rest of the food was great. We then went to the Emporer's tomb after crossing roads that were pure mud and we made it! It was stunning! The details in the tomb was all these designs made with broken pottery.. I could have stared at the walls for hours.

On the way back, we stopped at a fishing / seafood village where Chen said this area was the best seafood in the country and all the food is shipped to Saigon and Hanoi. We had a feast of fresh clams, oysters baked in various spices, seafood soup. We ate like kings and queens all under the generousity of our host.

I crashed on the way back and later Steven and I found a coffee shop and had coffee and fresh ice cream. A great day. Nora, I am drinking coffee now! I love the Vietnamese coffee.. its strong and almost like an espresso served with condensed milk :p I have one a day!

We fly to Siem Reep today and Steven decided we need to treat ourselves in Cambodia and we are booked into a 5 star resort for a whopping $65 a night. It looks gorgeous and there is a pool on the roof... I can't wait!