D-Lo goes to Asia

Hoi An

hilary2 — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:41:00 GMT

22 May 2011, Sunday

We arrived in Hoi An and like always the bus dropped us outside a hotel where there are people trying to sell you everything the town has to offer, tours, transport, accommodation, food…everything!

We had no accommodation booked and I saw the lady from the Hotel out the front with a pile of brochures with a map on the back. As soon as she saw me look at what was in her hands she was heading my way, I said to Jasmin lets just see what she is offering. She offered us a room in her hotel for $6/night but I told her we were on a budget of $5/night for accommodation and said we couldn’t do it. She then agreed to the $5 and showed us the room. It was so nice, there was an indoor pool on the ground level just outside our room, not that we used it but it was nice. There was a restaurant out the back which was cheap and always very convenient. We put our stuff down in our room and I said to Jasmin I really need to get a haircut, I wonder if they have some information here about where I could get one. As I inspected the room and read through the information booklet, I found a spa menu with manicures, pedicures, massages, body scrubs, haircuts, waxing and everything was so cheap (not as cheap as I knew I could get it but compared to back home it was just ridiculous). I said to Jasmin, “I already love Hoi An”. I went to ask the concierge about the spa menu and if I could get some things done right away, she said, “I will call them and they will come here, what would you like”. After reading the menu and prices I decided that I wanted more than just a haircut. I decided to get a coffee and honey body scrub, manicure, pedicure, haircut and hair wash. She told me I had to go to the place to get the hair cut but that they would organize transport there and back. I was like, “OK, sweet, excellent (thinking oh my God this is so ridiculously good). I went back to the room and told Jasmin they were coming to pick me up and I would be back in approximately and hour or two, I said if you get hungry before I am back just eat without me. So they came and picked me and I arrived at this Spa place, I told them everything I wanted and they pointed out with the body scrub that for a little bit extra I could get a massage as well and that it was “very luxury” (broken English). So I agreed and was lead up stairs to a room. Normally back home when you get a massage they leave the towel on the bed and leave the room for you take your clothes off, but here no she just stood there and watched me take my clothes off and I was laughing and asking, “sooo… How naked am I getting?” She couldn’t speak much English so she just pointed to my undies and held up the “stop” hand action. I find it amazing how people communicate when neither people speak any of the others language, like constant Charades. So I laid face down and she began the massage I do not know what words could or how to describe this experience as it was “out of this world”. I could not choose or control my thoughts, they were coming to me! I would sound like a complete crazy person if I tried to explain my thoughts and feelings during this massage. Instead I will just say IT WAS AMAZING!!! Next came the body scrub, I don’t even remember what I was doing while she set up the bed with a plastic sheet because my mind was so bent, empty and relaxed. Next it was undies off time, cool! Standing naked with a lady telling me I am beautiful… wouldn’t be such an awkward comment if I wasn’t naked but whatever I will go with it! The body scrub was the first time I have ever been completely naked in front of a stranger and two have the woman scrub my chest with coffee and honey. Since we were basically best friends after the scrub she helped shower me off too, awesome! Another first. It all didn’t seem awkward at the time, I don’t know if it was because I am in a different country or because she did something to my head during the massage, or maybe I just don’t care about being naked in front of people anymore but I felt completely OK with all of this. After this session she lead me back downstairs (which I didn’t even remember coming up, she definitely did something to my head) to have my hair cut & washed, manicure and pedicure. I paid my bill of $31 and left about 2 or 3 hours later extremely happy.

Hue

hilary2 — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:51:00 GMT

We stayed at the only Backpackers Hostel in Hue.

We walked around the city to find attempt to find me a small laptop, and with a little advice from the owner of the hostel, the first shop had a perfect little Samsung for $350, including pirated Microsoft Office and Windows 7 - which the sales person told me up front. We went and had a look around before I purchased that one, and the Sales man said come back in an hour or two and I will have Windows and everything installed.

We walked to the only real site in town which was the Citidel. Jasmin and I were trying to be very cheap today, so we said no to all transport offers and we stood at the entrance gate to the Citidel contemplating whether it was worth 50,000d ($2.50) to go in and have a look. Eventually I said this is ridiculous we are in Vietnam, I will probably never come here again, my shout. We walked in and it was just like a temple then I just burst out laughing because I saw an elephant looking very out of place in the back yard. For me this was already worth the $2.50.

It was so hot all day and we both got a bit burnt just from walking around the city all day. That night I had a few drinks in the hostel as they had 2 for 1 happy hour.

We left the next day and headed to Hoi An.

Ninh Binh

hilary2 — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:25:00 GMT

We got up early from the Hotel in Ha Long CIty to enjoy the buffet breakfast.

The conceirge helped us organise transport to the bus station.

We wanted to get to Hue but the they were trying to rip us off, telling us the printed prices on the wall were incorrect for that stop. So instead we got the much cheaper bus just to Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh turned out to be great, quiet, a really nice break from the EXTREME tourist areas which I am seriously trying to avoid now. There wasn't much to see in town except what they call "Ha Long Bay on Land". We rented a motorbike and drove around tho see this and it was beautiful, and I love riding a motorbike any where, I completely understand the attraction to them now. Except I think if it was in Australia with all the "road rules" it just wouldn't be as fun; but in 'Nam there are no rules except wear a helmet, but the helmet can be about as thin as a hat I think. Plus if you get caught you just give the officer some money (this would seem soooo strange for me, I still can't believe it happens). I am very glad I have not had to do this at any point.

When we first hopped off the bus in Ninh Binh it was about 8:30pm and we had no accommodation booked so when the bus dropped us off somewhere random in the city we thought (we will just walk and find somewhere), but the bus driver asked us if we had accommodation so I quickly grabbed my LP (lonely planet) guide book and pointed to the cheapest hotel listed. They told us to get back on the bus and they dropped us right to the street, that was very nice of them. It is so annoying that you either meet such beautiful, nice and helpful Vietnamese, and then there are those that just want to rip you off constantly, and lie so they can get more money from you.

We checked in to the Mini Queen Hotel, directly opposite the Queen Hotel (I wondered if they were owned by the same person or if they just couldn't think of another name). We went to get something to eat and although the Mini Queen had "Restaurant" written on the door it really didn't seem like they really did, but like everything here, it is never just 1 business. Today (26 May Thursday) I saw a beauty spa/ restaurant but with no dining area just the chairs lined up that you would get a pedicure in.

Jasmin and I went for a walk just 2 metres down the street and there were 2 shop/restaurants EXACTLY the same except one had a sign that said "Good Food" and the other one had "Fast Food". Jasmin and I stood there making contemplating which one to choose and I said, "well I am in no rush and I want good food so I say the "Good Food". It was cheap and the meals where huge servings.

We either left that night or early the next morning to catch the bus to Hue.

Ha Long Bay - 16 - 18th May

hilary2 — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:57:00 GMT

Ha Long Bay was AMAZING!!

Jasmin and I both bought a 3 day 2 night tour for Ha Long Bay for around $100. It was so good, We spent the first night on a cruise boat which was 5 star according to us, always too much food. They took us to a kayaking spot and Yasmin and I explored this little island cave we found, except I have no photos because my camera battery was flat ...Very annoying! After the Kayaking we spent the night on the boat in the bay, drinking Vodka with some Russians and singing kareoke..very funny night. In the morning they gave us the option to go to Monkey Island, so I thought we should. Jasmin and I were just about the only ones who went and it has been my favourite part so far. Except the monkeys are checky and not as nice and cute as they look. We had our stuff on the beach (and the guides did not warn us) and my bag was open and one of the monkeys started coming toward my bag and I was like no go away and tried to scare him but then he scared me and I ran away! He took Mr Snowman, and he ate him! Ripped his off and was trying to eat it (this snowman was my photo item that Barb gave me, Sorry Barb I tried). Although I was just happy it wasn't my wallet or anything else in my bag. After that we got off the beach and they took us to Cat Ba Island. We did a trek up through the Naitonal Park and stayed one night in a hotel. Very pleased with the trek I loved it.

Instead of going back to Hanoi like the tour had organised I told them I would stay in Ha Long City because it would be easier to work my way down the coast from there. I booked a hotel for a night before I met Jasmin, but I invited her to come along. We relaxed by the pool and I think we were the only ones staying in this huge hotel.

I went for a walk by myself while Jasmin was sleeping and I was offered a ride in a row boat out into the bay, I decided why not? It was so nice and although the lady could not speak any english we got along well. She offered me a try and rowing this boat, I failed we were going around in circles, it was so hard and the paddles were so thin at the end I didn't understand why they would not use bigger ones? She then showed me all the fishermans boats and took me to see one, I then had the chance to buy fresh prawns and they would cook them on this boat for me. So I watched the sunset on the bay eating these prawns and enjoying a beer...It was so beautiful!

Sapa Motorbike Adventure 13-15 May

hilary2 — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:08:00 GMT

Day 12 – Friday 13 May

I finally arrived in Lao Cai, busting to go since before getting off the train. I walked out and easily found my name on my new guides sign, she lead me to the minibus that would take me and a group of others to Sapa. The drive up to Sapa was so interesting! THIS is the Vietnam I had been thinking of. The road up was so dangerous there were pot holes (more like broken bits of road that were now non-existent), rocks that had fallen like a landslide from the mountain scattered across the road and the roads were wet. I saw people riding cows (or some sort of cattle) up the mountain, girls walking up the mountain with big backpack barrels on their backs. Lots of small sheds and shacks built on the side of the road, quite surreal. How can people live here? We reached central Sapa and the driver stopped in the middle of an intersection and another scooter stopped in front of us also. The driver signaled me to get out, but could not speak English. I didn’t realise what was going on at first but then it clicked, I must be going to my home stay now. Shit! Shit! Shit!

I was so nervous about the home stay, the images I had in my mind of sleeping on the floor in a mud shack with bugs and a pig licking my face in the night…I was scared! But it was not time for the home stay yet; the scooter dropped me to a hotel/ tourist centre for breakfast…phew! As soon as I walked inside I asked if there was a bathroom I could please use (still busting from the train and the drive up was about an hour!). The man pointed upstairs so I went, the toilet was filled with everything you could imagine, it was gross, I thought “that must be how they roll out here”… but no, it was just a clogged toilet like we have back home. Now I am one of “those” people who just go on top anyway, I tried to flush and was sooooo scared it would overflow!!

After the toilet experience I went down stairs back to the dining room where I enjoyed some Vietnamese coffee and an omelet.

After dining with Dat the other night I have opened my mind to food. I do not know why it seemed closed in the first place?

After breakfast I was lead to the motorbikes out the front. “Do you know how to ride, or do you want to go on the back with me” said my guide. “I kind of know, I will go by myself” I replied. I have not been on a motorbike since I was maybe 13 or 14 and it was a quad bike. I was happy it was just me and the one guide that were going on this motorbike tour because I knew I would have slowed the group down if there were more. The instructions the guide gave me were very brief. Here is the ignition, here are the gears (didn’t explain when or how to use them), here are the brakes; here is your helmet, ready?

Ahhh…yes?

Off we go, slow, slow, slowly and unsteady up the street and on the first corner I almost crash into a “parked” van! But all good, I didn’t and we were on our way. We left the city centre and headed down the mountain. Riding down the mountain was soooo much fun. He tried to take me down a rocky path to see another village on the way to “Ban Ho Village” (where we were going to have lunch) but not too far down I stacked it and smashed the mirror on the bike. Just a small graze on my knee and hand, and I sort of hurt my ankle (but I didn’t tell him that because I didn’t want to stop). He helped me get my bike back up this rocky path to the road and he bandaged up my pathetic 0.5cm cut knee with a tissue and some sticky tape. He gave me two options, 1 – I go on the back of his bike and leave mine there, or 2 – I continue down by myself. Why would I want to sit on the back of his bike I thought, what a stupid question! "All good to go, I will go on my own" I said and we continued down the mountain. The smell of bonfires, animal droppings, mud, plants, trees and fresh water as I rode down was amazing, I was so happy and my thoughts were so clear. This will be a fantastic memory I thought, but I can’t stop thinking about how this memory will look in the future and I feel like I have to keep reminding myself to be here and in the moment, and also to concentrate on my driving!

It is so hard to believe people live here. Why? How? My guide, I forgot his name - lets call him Quan, told me a little about the history as we rode down, Sapa was populated about 300 years ago by some black Chinese or something (I couldn’t understand what he said) and they man made/built all the rice fields in the mountains.

I love all the colourful clothes the girls wear but it is just for the tourists, and they are constantly trying to make you buy something. A bit sad I think that Sapa has been so taken over (destroyed) by tourism, even though I am just another one of those tourists adding to the destruction.

I am so very impressed with Sapa so far, so interesting. We rode down some more wet and slippery paths down to Ban Ho Village. We drove over a bridge and just after that I stalled going up a small rocky slope and fell off…again! I feel after this ride I will be a pro! Ban Ho Village looks to me a bit like one of the tree house villages out of Peter Pan. There are little bridges and walk ways to the small shed-like houses.

I am now downstairs underneath the home I believe I am staying in tonight. It looks plush for this area, I am very happy. My guide was in this kitchen making our lunch and they served me green tea and pear. They were happy to let me be while I was writing in my journal. For lunch we had an omelet and salad sandwich, it was yummy. Quan told me he had bought the cucumber that morning from a local street stall for 10,000d/kg (50c/kg) and it was beautiful cucumber. The toilet I used there was fantastic, flushed and everything!

Four of the colourful tribe ladies came to the house as soon as they saw me ride in, obviously to sell me some things. They started conversation and asked how old I was, I told them I was 18 and then I asked them as I was curious. The two young girls were 13, the eldest lady was 45 and they looked about that, but the other girl who was 28 looked like she was 38 and had a gold tooth.

The weather is perfect, cloudy and light rain but not boiling hot like it has been constantly in Hanoi, I am happy! After lunch we headed back up the mountain to the hotel/tourist centre. I stalled my bike going up a little hill again but not bad, I managed to hold the bike up. He saw that I had the bike in 4^th gear and then explained to me that when going up hills I should be in 2^nd or 3^rd gear. The bike made sense to me now and I was off! I was tearing it up the mountain, the wet rocky parts in gear 2 were so much easier with the extra “go” power. Doing 30-40km up this windy, broken, wet and muddy road in the rain… It was SOOOOO much fun!!! I loved it! I felt confident on the bike and I probably shoudn’t as I have only been riding for one day.

We arrived back and the man who was in charge of the bikes.

Some of the paths on the mountain seemed impossible to drive through. One part of the road there was a stream/waterfall running across the road, the road was smashed up completely except for a tiny strip that would have been the width of about 20-25cm. I kept telling myself, if he can do it, I can do it. That and I tried to follow his exact path. I have to stay positive or I will not make it back alive! This is such an amazing experience, something I could not see or do anywhere else. I am so glad I did this on a motorbike and not a trek. The trek would have been too slow and boring. Also I saw the groups walking down the mountain and they would have been constantly asked to buy things from every person they walked past. Every time I have stopped, even just for 2 seconds to take a picture, there has been at least one person asking me to buy something. I feel terrible and a bit awkward saying no all the time, especially when they are so persistent.

My thoughts raced as I drove down the mountain, I thought about everything under the sun, but I was amazed at how clear my head felt at the same time.

My shoes are wet and muddy, I have blood and mud stains on my knees and possibly some mud splattered on my face. My ankle hurts a little more now but it will have to do because I still have to get back. I feel like I am having the experience I was looking for.

A few cuts and bruises with a few stories. A few bracelets which also have a story and I find great comfort in them. I have 3. The first – my “safe travelling” bracelet from Barb and everyone at work (National Foods). Second – My thin, light brown leather band that wraps around twice and has a leaf on it (the leaf represents my travel attitude “go where the wind blows”), the back of the leaf is engraved and it says “with the courage to be myself I am beautiful” (That all sounds so so so corny but it is all so true to me at this point in time). It was also a gift from my sister Millie for my 18th birthday (originally a ring, except my fingers were all too small so I exchanged it). Third and last I bought a plain black bracelet with one big blue stone on it and two smaller blue stones either side, this is just a small reminder of Hanoi.

My half chipped off red manicure reminds me of being in Hong Kong in civilization; I am so close, but so far away.

Day 6 - 14 Hello Hanoi (minus Sapa)

hilary2 — Sat, 7 May 2011 19:56:00 GMT

Day 6

Before I left the Hong Kong airport I thought it would be a good idea to get some of the local currency so I didn't have to stress about finding an ATM on arrival. I went to the exchange place and I withdrew about ASD$300, which gave me $5,000,000 Vietnamese Dong. I would only need about ASD$50,000 to reach my goal of being a billionaire if I moved to Vietnam. Food for thought!

I did not participate in the in-flight meal as I was out cold. It was only an hour and 45 mins but felt a lot longer. I got off the plane VERY excited to be in another new country. I walked out through customs (the closed down X-ray machines that were not being used?). No metal detectors, no bag check, interesting... Vietnamese must get a shock when they come through Australian Customs!

I was waiting at the wrong carousel for my bag and began to get worried when it did not come out, idiot! I thought about what I would do if I did lose my bag, but was comforted by the knowledge that I had everthing I "needed" to get by on me (money, passport, phone, iPod - obv need music). I was directed by the friendly staff to the other carousel and there it was. I headed to the exit with my bag and saw a "free map" sign on the tourist information centre. $630,000 Dong later they had organised a Taxi to take me to my hostel. I was disappointed at how quickly I said yes to the taxi without looking at all other options, and thought it was a bit expensive. While I waited for the cabby I worked out that the hour long taxi ride to my hostel cost me about $30, I laughed at my earlier thought of being ripped off. The lovely, clean and smiley taxi driver came up to me and walked me out to the car, which was more like a private car than a taxi. As we were driving, the driver circled his face with his finger and gave a thumbs up then pointed to me, I said, "you think I am pretty". "yes yes" he said. I laughed and thought to myself, "oh oh I was hoping they would find westerns ugly!". I loved the rest of the drive, it was like 'need for speed'. The road rules here seem to be simple, go as fast as you can just don't hit anything! Also beep your horn when passing scooters and motorbikes. I like it!

He dropped me right to the front door of my hostel which is in a narrow street. I got my room key and went to have a shower and a nap.

I finally got onto skype and I was advised by Jordan (she did a blog in Japan) that it is much easier to do it by place rather than by day, So this is what I will be doing now on.

Day 7 - 8 May 2011

I decided to go for a walk to find some shops, I need to buy some thongs and T-shirts, also really need some nail scissors – How am I going to find that in amongst all these street stalls?

I am sitting in a sushi bar I stumbled upon, enjoying a beer and some simple egg and a spicy salmon sushi. It’s not very cheap, well, two plates of sushi and a beer will cost me around $10. I fear I will gain weight on this trip.

If I stick to my $50 a day budget I would have a million dong a day. A mollion dong a day! crazy!

I find the vietnamese very interesting so much more alive and vibrant than the Japanese.

Sitting in the hostel, eating some pineapple the lovely vietnamese boy Dat offered me.

I went for a walk around the "Old Quarter" of Hanoi and when I was heading home I was asked by a "moto" if I wanted a lift. I said, "why not?", we agreed on the fare and so I jumped on. It was lots of fun but the driver started to touch me so I had to move away.

I befriended a German girl over dinner in the hostel. I never asked her name, she has just finished backpacking around Australia and New Zealand for the past 9 months. After dinner we walked to the famous water puppetry show in Hanoi. It is was worth seeing I think, interesting. I thought it was funny but I don’t know if it was suppose to be. After the show we caught a “cyclo” back to the hostel in the light rain.

Seeing cockroaches on the floor next to my table while eating didn’t faze me, I don’t know why.

Day 8 - 9 May 2011

I didn’t leave the hostel today. I slept a lot and organised some tours to Sapa and Halong Bay.

The Sapa tour included transfer from the hostel to the night train up to Lao Cai, transfer from Lao Cai up to Sapa, full day motorbike tour, Homestay with some locals, half day trek, some time in Sapa to have a shop, then back to Lao Cai and back to Hanoi on the night train, total 3 nights and 2 days. I wasn’t going to do the homestay originally but when I went to book the lady asked me, do you want to do the homestay? And I have been trying to keep a ‘yes’ attitude, saying yes to all opportunities that come my way, so I said yes.

The Halong Bay tour included a night out in the bay on a boat, during the day the boat takes you around to some of the islands and caves. The next night is a hotel stay and the day is spent exploring Cat Ba Island. After that they organise a transfer back to Hanoi but I decided to stay in Halong City for a night in a hotel. I was then planning on following the coast around and heading down south to Ho Chi Minh City.

I have had the strangest dreams since I have been here. I remembered today one I had in Hong Kong where I couldn’t remember where everything was meant to go in our kitchen back home and all the draws were messed up. Millie made me think of this today when she said that she thought she was doing a good job of the kitchen.

After a day of doing nothing I had dinner again with the German girl, I found out her name is Jasmin.

Day 11 - 12 May 2011

Just looking at flights from Phuket to Kuala Lumper on Air Asia for $40*
OR Kuala Lumper to Bali for $100-$150
OR Bali to Tokyo for $200!!! - Except Japan is Cancer Country at the moment. Damn!

Vincent, I believe he is American, but I haven't asked him yet. He just came and offered me a "cookie" (must be American) it is a rice cracker. I almost said, "no thankyou" but then said, "why not? Thankyou". It was yummy. I later asked Vincent and he is from Holland and has been in Vietnam for 4 months working at The Drift, with no intention of going home.

Lounging around the hostel sofas, listening to some of Vincent's music. I have liked all of it so far, Queen, a bit of Reggae, Piano Man, M.I.A. It is so chilled here, it reminds me of a relaxing day at the Straddie beach house. I was thinking. Is it too early to have a beer? Is it necessary? No I am just bored. I have sat here in the hostel all day doing nothing just waiting for my transfer to pick me up and take me to the train station. I played some solitare and some other card games with Dat. He also showed me some magic card tricks. Look out Weeks Christmas Talent Show!!! I asked Dat if he would take me out to eat some real Vietnamese food, so we got ready and headed out.

They say don't drive with teenage boys, well, those who say that definitely would not approve of driving on a scooter with a 21 year old Vietnamese boy name Dat. He drove me around the town to a restaurant he used to work at. He used to work at the "Bad Hair Dog Bar" across the street from the restaurant. I don't know why there are soooo many strangely named restaurants and bars in Vietnam, Do they think it attracts tourists? He ordered lots of Vietnamese food from the menu and I tried it all, keeping a very open mind while eating the deep fried squid, which after I had already had a bite, he sent back to the kitchen. I didn't care I was just glad to be eating some real Vietnamese food. We had some garlic asian greens (which I loved), spring rolls - not like back home, the pastry is much thinner and they serve lettuce to wrap it in, beef curry - served on a plate, so very little sauce, a green leafy vegetable soup (maybe cabbage) and also just some plain steamed rice. I served myself some rice and then offered it to Dat and he said, "No, my country makes rice and we eat it all the time!". I found an asian who is sick of rice...I thought this was hilarious! I suppose variety really is the spice of life!

Dat told me at dinner that the police in Vietnam are bull****, he said if you do something wrong you just give them money and its OK. If you kill someone! You can just give them money and it is OK! How crazy this seems to me coming from a world so uncorrupt. He also told me at breakfast everyone has a bottle of spirits (only the men) that they are traditionally meant to finish. I thought...then these people are driving their scooters around all day, fantastic! Everything working in a perfect dysfunctional but organised chaos!

Sitting in the lounge waiting with my new $15 backpack, which is a ridiculous here, I have definitely been ripped off a lot since I have been here and am not used to bartering...yet!

The transfer came at 8:30pm to pick me up and take me to the train station. The station looked like what I imagine a "doctors without borders" waiting room looks like (not that anyone was sick or injured), just my first interpretation. I waited a while for the train and was finally called through to where the trains were. No yellow line to stand behind, just walk straight across the tracks to your train and if there is a train coming the man on the chair will either wave or blow his whistle to warn you that you are about to be hit by a train.

I boarded the train and I had no idea what to expect, but was plesantly surprised at the four bed cabin I was assigned to. This is the first time I have been on a train that you sleep on. Also very happy to have the bottom bunk. I had just finished setting up my sleeping area so I wasn't touching any of the quilt of pillow they supplied, also so my bag was half under my pillow. Then a Vietnamese lady came in and was looking at me strnge and continued to look at me and the other lady on the opposit bottom bunk, for a second I thought I may have taken the wrong the bed. Then an english speaking man translated for me and told me she wanted to have the bottom bunk because she got too cold on the top and he asked me if it is was ok but making it sound like I didn't have to. I thought she had probably just worked a 12 hour day so I moved to the top bunk, but thinking about how much I normally feel the cold. The stained quilt and dirty pillow they put on the bed just took up unneecessary space in the small bed. I was nervous that when I was asleep I would get cold and naturally pull the dirty blanket on top of me. How cold could it get, really?

9:40pm and my iPod is on half of it's battery life. I made a small pillow out of Grandma’s blue pashmina I packed. I have never been on a sleeper train before. The train is now leaving the station, Here we go! I am looking at a no smoking sign in my cabin but can smell cigarette smoke, interesting!? They said the train is 8-12 hrs. As I layed there on the pash, in my sleeping sack, with one eye open and one hand on my locked backpack, wondering… Am I being a “princess” for not using the pillow and blanket, the blanket I think is fair but I can see the lady opposite and below me using the pillow and has the blanket layed on top of her unfolded. I decided to harded up and use the blanket although I stayed in my sleeping sack to keep me semi-clean. GN xo

SAPA TOUR - See Sapa tour Story

Day 14 – 15 May 2011

We arrived back in Hanoi at 4:30am. We were both half asleep and the city was the quietest we’d seen it as we walked back to our hostel. Of course the door to the hostel was unlocked and the staff member in charge was asleep on the couch in the lobby. We couldn’t check into our rooms until 7 or 8 so we went upstairs to the TV room and had a nap. I tried to get onto facebook but the internet has bipolar so it is a real hit and miss, especially with Facebook, I heard that the government has banned it in Vietnam because they don’t want the people to have so much access to the outside world (not sure if that is true). It seems my hostel is the only one so far that has any access, even if limited. So if anyone would like to contact me you can text my mobile or email me (hilaryweeks@hotmail.com). In the next week I will organise a Vietnamese sim card so I can call home, if I can’t get credit on my skype account, as last time I tried it seemed way to difficult so I just gave up.

I asked Dat to take Jasmine and I to a pharmacy, she has some illness that she knows about so wanted to try and get some antibiotics for that and I just wanted to come for the ride. We first walked down to the Pharmacy down the street but it was closed so all 3 of us (doing it Vietnamese style) jumped on a scooter and Dat drove us around to an area that had a few differenct Chemists/Pharmacies. Jasmine had maybe some luck trying to get antibiotics, she is currently researching what she bought on the internet to check it out. We started riding back and it started bucketing down rain which stung as we drove 40km into it. We were all laughing and still trying to concentrate on the crazy roads, me and Jasmine shouting out from the back, “big bus, BIG BUS, BIG BUS, ARRRHHH!!!” as Dat drove through a red light intersection, not uncommon here, the traffic lights are more like a suggestion than a regulation. Dat is just laughing and it is all you can do, just laugh. We arrived back at the hostel, soaked and still laughing.

Day 5 - Hong Kong

hilary2 — Fri, 6 May 2011 19:48:00 GMT

My last day in Hong Kong, I had to do the touristy thing and go to The Peak, the highest view over Hong Kong.

My cousin who is living in Cambodia (Elke) had told me one of her good friends was living in Hong Kong and that I should look her up if I want someone to have a drink with. So I got into contact with her and we organised to go out to Lai Kwai Fong (NO idea how to spell that) or LKF as is called here. I met Lucy (Elkes friend) at her place which was very cool, it had serious city views and a rooftop terrace. We went out to a few bars and clubs and one thing led to another and we were dancing on tables.. Good times! I left LKF at about 2am I think and had to catch a cab back to The Trainers, I don't think I slept but luckily had everything all packed and ready before I went out. The next thing Andy is there at 6am to take me to the airport. So off I go. Byebye Hong Kong

Day 4 - Hong Kong

hilary2 — Thu, 5 May 2011 19:43:00 GMT

Day 4
Feeling a little under the weather, I had a cruisey day, went back to the Sha Tin shopping centre to buy Matisse (my 4 year old sister) some high heels as requested. Had a little wonder and shop, then decided to catch the train to central to see what was going on. Busy. I walked around and went down every interesting, stall-covered alley I could find. I found a costume stall and purchased some more funny sunglasses to add to the Weeks collection.

Day 3 - Hong Kong - Happy Valley Races

hilary2 — Wed, 4 May 2011 19:41:00 GMT

Day 3
Andy took me to another huge shopping centre in Sha Tin called New Town Plaza. He came with me to help me buy my camera and a phone. After I bought my camera and phone Andy left me to wander. So I did. I got some lunch and then headed home.

David had some of his horses running at the Happy Valley races, so I went along but I went to the beer garden and he had to stay with the owners somewhere else. Drinking alone not so fun, but I made friends with Erin in the bathroom talking about lipstick, obv. Then met her husband Mike, they are both from California and had just returned to Hong Kong from Phuket in Thailand. We all had a punt but none of us won anything. Then we started betting on who could pick peoples nationalities, as there was lots of foreigners in the Beer Garden. It was a good night. After the races David took me out for a drink with one of his friends.

Day 2 - Hong Kong - Harbour City Shopping

hilary2 — Tue, 3 May 2011 19:35:00 GMT

Day 2
Andy (David's driver) took me to Harbour City, which is literally a city sized shopping centre/area. As I walked around amazed at everything and how big this shopping centre was I came across a nail parlor and decided to get a manicure, why not?

So continuing on with my new bright red nails just walking around browzing through some of the shops, came across a sushi bar and had the BEST sushi I have ever had, the rice was fresh and warm, the salmon was perefect, mmm! I had a very successful shopping day I bought a whole new wardrobe basically, and went way over my budget, already! After my retail therapy session I headed for the train station and made my way back to The Trainers.

I caught the train, no problem. Then when I got off the train I was determined to find out how to walk back to David's. So I took a right and began walking in the direction I believed it was, walking down some stairs, under a road, through a tunnel, walking, starting to get into a public housing area and from the looks I was getting from people passing by I presumed I had taken the wrong path, turned around, still carrying my ton of shopping, walked back and luckily stumbled upon a sign with the Hong Kong Jockey Club logo on it and an arrow, excellent! So up some stairs to a new path, continued walking along then another directing sign. As I am walking I discover the signs are leading me back toward the train station and I have just done a 3km circle, laughed at myself and then continued to walk over the bridge toward the station. I went down some stairs half way across and followed this new path along. There was no sign telling me to go down the stairs but I thought I new where I was going now since I could just follow the highway. Walking along and I found the racecourse, excellent I am very close. I keep walking for another km or so until I realize that there is no over pass to take me over to the other side of the highway where I thought David's was. I saw a taxi rank. I gave up, jumped in and gave the taxi driver the piece of paper with the address in Chinese, he said, "walk in" and pointed behind us. I was there! I laughed at myself for a good minute or so and went inside.

Photos: Hong Kong

hilary2 — Tue, 3 May 2011 14:02:00 GMT

Day 1 - Hong Kong

hilary2 — Mon, 2 May 2011 20:54:00 GMT

Day 1
I hopped off the plane and was extremely excited by the thought of being alone in a new city. I didn't have any trouble with the trains, very similar to Japan, you find where you want to go, join the dots, follow the colours, bada bing bada boom, your there! You never need to look up train times because the longest you will wait is 5, maybe 10 mins. I got off at the necessary train station and tried to get a cab to David's. The cabby took me to the wrong place, so take two, try a different cabby. Luckily this one could understand English a little better, I arrived.

I walked through the gate to David's and spoke to the lady at the gate, told her I was here to stay with Mr David Hall. She waved me through, I went up the stairs to the entrance but there was a locked door, I tried to ring the buzzer but I was not doing it correctly or something, but then the gate buzzed open, I wasn't quite sure how. Anyway walked through and then went up to level 10 and knocked on his door. I was greeted by an Asian lady and a dog, does David Hall live here? Yes she said and let me in. Her name was Tes or Tesa. She lives here with David and does the cooking and cleaning. I entered and then found Polly and Joe (Davids Parents). I put my things down and said hello. Not too long after that The Trainer (David) came home and then his girlfriend Jamane. David had a meeting in the city so Jamane drove us all in Davids big boss car, the Asian van version of a limo is how I would describe it. We dropped David off and then Jamane took me to a shopping centre called IFC. It was mainly all the big brands so I left the shopping centre and began wandering the streets, I found some markets and small alleyway stores which had cheap jewellery and clothes. I then went in search of food. I found a underground noodle bar and I enjoyed a wonton noodle soup for $2.50 AUD. So good, cheap and yummy! I just wandered the rest of the day and then went home for dinner.