Vietnam and Beyond

Photos: Dong Hoi and Caves

globalgabi — Fri, 1 Nov 2013 22:01:00 GMT

Visiting Paradise Cave and Dong Hoi Beach

Dong Hoi and Paradise Cave

globalgabi — Fri, 1 Nov 2013 21:50:00 GMT

Last weekend we travelled to Dong Hoi to visit the nearby caves. Paradise cave is the longest cave in the world. We would have liked to visit the Phong Nha cave, too, but unfortunately our train arrived 1hr too late and we missed the tour bus. So, we just did a shorter trip to see Paradise Cave only. It was mighty impressive, highly recommend to visit. People tell me it's nicer than the Phong Nga Cave. The latter you access by boat but the cave is not as big as the other one.

We went from Vinh by train. Took the 4am one. Journey took about 4-5 hours. Train was half hour late in Vinh and an hour late in the end arriving in Dong Hoil. Hotel was nice, fairly newly renovated. Only $15 for both of us, so, can't complain - aircon, nice bathroom, clean, friendly english speaking manager. Not much of exiting eating out opportunities, but didn't starve. Try Sua Chua - Joghurt with ice. We needed that on the hot day after a short night on arrival.

The next day we walked through town to the beach. Beautiful white sand, not a soul. Water was warm. So, we went for a swim and spoiled ourselves with a nice western food lunch in a 5* Resort (Sun Spa Resort) right on the beach and later - after a swim enjoyed a cocktai.

Alcohol hard to find on a menu in restaurants around Vinh, only in some bars. Everyone drinks beer, so, for wine drinkers like me - not the paradise.

All in all an enjoyable weekend.

Photos: Vinh Market

globalgabi — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 22:53:00 GMT

Fresh Food - vegies, seafood, meat, all sorts - rice, beans ...

Vinh Market

globalgabi — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 22:44:00 GMT

today I decided to have a closer look at the large outdoor market and to buy for the first time some fresh fruit and vegies from there to cook my first meal since here. Getting tired of Pho and rice. What a colourful experience. Watch out for crawling crabs, jumping fish - they literally jump out of the bowl, wriggling eels and fish in different sizes - all alive - that's what I call fresh. But haven't quite the guts yet to buy that. Might try the prawns though, big and juicy, and whole squids in all sizes. A lot of fish is already pre-cooked. So many beans, rice and all sorts of household stuff. They traffic doesn't stop here, despite the narrow paths between the stall. Watch out or you have an encounter with a motorbike, truck, bike, or cart loaded with stuff. Sorry, don't speak Vietnamese - but pointing to stuff and showing your fingers how much you want, does the trick. When they show 3 fingers = that can be 3000 or 30 000 Dong - but, depending what you buy, you know. Some parts of the market are under cover and very smelly. How people can sit here in the dark in such confined spaces is incredible and for us westerners - well, for me at least - hard to believe. You have to see it to believe it.

Don't know what sort of meat I bought. I looked lean and nice. But it turned out to be very chewy. Might need long cooking.

Photos: Cua Lo Beach

globalgabi — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 22:43:00 GMT

A day out to the local beach of Vinh

Cua Lo Beach Trip

globalgabi — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 02:35:00 GMT

Finally, today I went to the beach. My friend Lam Giang picked my up on the motorbike and we went along the river to Cua Lo Beach. Very deserted at this time of year, no tourists, most restaurants are closed. But, what the hell, it was warm, we even got a bit of sun, and I even went for a swim. Not much of a township, mostly hotels, couldn't spot a cafe for a good coffee, but tasted some seafood dishes - squid, bbq grilled prawns, and grilled tuna steak in fresh tomatoes along with some soup and rice. Nothing to rave about, though, have eaten in a nicer and more sophisticated prepared way, and for local income relatively pricy. Will keep an eye open for street food next time. Shame to see so much litter everywhere. In summer with blue sky the water will surely be nicer but still had a really nice day. Some nice garden/park along the beach, wide streets and pavements along the waterfront allowing for enjoyable walks

French Conference / Celebration

globalgabi — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 14:40:00 GMT

Today is a special day. Have been invited by number of french teachers of Vinh Uni to attend a conference. They are celebrating 40 yrs partnership of the local province with France and 25 yrs friendship between Vinh City and a city in the Bretagne. Very colourful dances and costumes, lots of speeches in Vietnamese & French, great lunch loaded with tons of Vietnamese delecacies. This afternoon is an expo with pictures/photgraphs of the region and of France and tonight a big dinner incl music/karaoke. They are trying to get me to sing a french song. I said I don't know the words and would sing if one of them joins me. So, 'la vie en rose' might be on the agenda tonight.

Photos: French Connection

globalgabi — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 14:07:00 GMT

Conference France - Vietnam - Celebrating 40yrs

Vinh City - First Impression and Experience

globalgabi — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:16:00 GMT

Vinh is not as small as I thought. Didn't see much that night when I arrived, but saw enough to judge it's not a village. Tien, the Director of the Language Dpt of Vinh University, picked me up and dropped me off at my allocated apartment which is held for teachers of ASEM language school. As my contract with the Uni is not signed yet, legally I am not allowed to live on campus. Well, we were stuck in front of a locked apartment with no key and someone from ASEM had to contact one of the teachers who was staying here. He finally arrived and I could take over his room as he had finished working for the school. He works as a volunteer once a year for 2 months, has been living in Vietnam for 6. Quite a character, tall, skinny, long silver hair in a pony tail, originally from the US.

Mhm, I was in for a bit of a shock. The place, especially the bathroom, dirty as, Didn't want to touch the tap of the basin. So, I spent my first hour cleaning in order to be able to wash myself later. The whole place needs a good srub and paintjob, but I just have to make the best of the situation. At least I managed to find 2 clean sheets and a couple of blankets as sleeping on a bare matress is not my thing.

The next day I wiped the kitchen bench and swept the floor, so, after 6 weeks cleaning my own house I know my standards - but that is a different one here altogether.

Sunday morning I spent walking around the area. Sunday afternoon I got picked up as I was invited to celebrate woman's day with University staff at a restaurant for dinner and Karaoke afterwards. Another late night. But I enjoyed myself and had good fun talking to the teachers. Some are multi-lingual and speak also French or Russion apart from Vietnamese and English. There is currently only one foreign teacher, a young American, who's volunteering.

Monday I had my meeting with Uni management. Aparently, I am the first foreign teacher to teach English at the Unviversity who gets paid. Quite an honour. So far they only had volunteers. All other teachers are Vietnamese. I am supposed to teach staff and students. Demand to teach raised to 18hrs instead of 15 for same money and they wanted to deduct tax until I explained that I had been promised the amount tax free. They seem to be on the tight side as a government institution.

All looked good, I was told to expect a draft of a contract today. Instead I received a text from the School that Uni changed their mind. They found out that it would be difficult to arrange a work permit for me as I am German and do not hold a passport of an English speaking country. So, all was in limbo. Now the situation is that I will have to work just 6 hours for uni (to reduce ASEM's cost as they will have to pay for bribery to get my work permit) and 14 for the school - all under the school's contract. 5hrs more, 3 venues to teach (as ASEM has 2) and for the same money as originally set out. Well, I am not a quitter, want to see how it goes. If they can manage to get a work permit, so can other schools, so want to see this through. Contract will be for 3 months, then it's 2 weeks holidays anyway. They either extend and I stay if I want or I go and travel. Will see. One step at a time. Wish it was summer though, going into winter here up north knowing it's getting nice in NZ makes it less attractive. Well, in January I might travel south, it'll be warmer there. Whatever happens, happens.

At least I have a bike now and can get around faster.

Photos: Vinh City

globalgabi — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 03:43:00 GMT

first impression of a new home

Photos: Hanoi - Day 2

globalgabi — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 23:31:00 GMT

HCM Musem and Tourguide

Hanoi - Day 2

globalgabi — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 22:47:00 GMT

Had an earned sleep-in (had gone for almost 50hrs since getting up Thu morning) and gone to bed at midnight as out with group from Hanoi Internations at night on dinner cruise. Enjoyed meeting all those different people, even 3 Germans, a few Brits, and some Aussies - some teaching in English Schools and English Catholic schools all sorts of subjects. After the dinner cruise we went to another place for a drink. The place is run by an Australian lady and most customers are expats - so prices accordingly. Nice place, though

Day 2 is cultural. Took a taxi to the Ho Chi Min Museum. The Mausoleum closed at 11, so as I got up late and then had breakfast, I missed that one. Only visited from the outside. The Museum is interesting through.

Outside a 63yrs old Vietnamese approached me, could speak only a few words of English but should me a tiny notebook filled with tourist's 'thank you' notes. So, he offered me to show me places and to take me on his motorbike. That is a 'must' experience and should be on your 'to-do' list if you come to Hanoi. Being part of the thousands of bikes on the road is an incredible and exiting venture.

We went to the Museum of Ethnology which shows the way people lived years ago and still do in different parts of the country. Very, very interesting. A great museum. We finished with a coffee in a typical Vietnamese cafe where it's 'cheap' to have a drink. I would have liked to invite him a a real nice place but he chose that one, so took up the suggestion and shouted him an iced coffee - a very different version to the one back home. Very sweet. Tea and coffee are both served hot or cold and I get always asked which one I want as most people here drink it cold. Fresh milk is as good as unknown. Instead, they serve very thick and extremely sweet condensed milk with it. It sits as a thick layer on the bottom of the glass with the tea/coffee above. Takes getting used to. Tip: don't stir, that way you avoid the sweetness

Hello Hanoi - my first Day in Vietnam

globalgabi — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 03:03:00 GMT

Finally, after all the planning and organising - I made it - I am here.

Sadly, the weather is not that welcoming, rain and grey sky - but that is the time of the year. The traffic is fascinating, thousand of motor bikes, pushbikes and cars making their way in all directions. Driving on the opposite lane seems to be common. The traffic in Auckland would stand still in this chaos as the city would be in permanent accident status.

After checking into my hotel, I discovered the Old Quarter, filled with shops, 'restaurants' (in form of little street places on the footpath). The city is humming.

A walk around Kiem Lake is soothing. What a different world. Colourful, noisy, busy.

Photos: Hanoi

globalgabi — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 02:43:00 GMT

Exploring Hanoi

Good Bye Auckland

globalgabi — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Well, time to leave. Hard to say good bye to friends. One eye is smiling, the other has a tear.

Will miss Nico. Had my last dinner with him on the way to the airport. Yummy, yummy. Finally made it Gina's where we'd been wanting to go for a long time. Then off to the airport. And surprise - Mirela couldn't resist to come to say hello. What a surprise.

And finally last hug and off. Was packed like a donkey with a heavy backpack, handbag, and camera around the waist and shoulders. Amazing what one can carry. :)

Farewell Party in Auckland

globalgabi — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 18:13:00 GMT

Wow, wow, wow. Had to organise a farewell. Held at the New Brew in Albany with my favorite band Father & Sons playing later in the evening. We were about 48 people. Great atmosphere, yummy food, nice wine, lots of laughter, dancing, chatting, hugging - all in all a great night enjoyed by all. Thank you all my friends who came to say good bye to me. I shall miss you all. But we will be in touch - keep an eye on the posts.

Photos: Farewell Party

globalgabi — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 18:07:00 GMT

Good bye to all my friends before leaving Auckland

Photos: Kerikeri

globalgabi — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 22:53:00 GMT

flying w Nico

Last special day with Nico - a day in the sky

globalgabi — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 22:43:00 GMT

Wow, what a day. Nico and I went flying all day. We flew to Kerikeri to have lunch in a beautiful vinyard, strolled around Kerikeri township and had afternoon tea there, then flew back with a detour via the Bay of Islands. What a magic day. The sky changed from blue to white and greay to black, rain, sun, mist - how amazing. One minute we're above the clouds, the next we dived under them through the gaps and had a carpet of clouds above us. Amazing. Will remember this forever

Photos: Before Vietnam

globalgabi — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 08:00:00 GMT

preparing to go