So tomorrow we are off to Australia and today marks the end of our south-east asia adventure. We have been so rubbish at updating so there is a lot to catch up on!
Vietnam
After a few days in Hanoi we headed out to Ha Long Bay and it wasn't quite the clear blue Tomorrow Never Dies image we had of the bay....but it was still so much fun and amazing scenery. We stayed on the boat with other Hanoi Backpackers and because it was a bit chilly and foggy it was basically a booze cruise. We still jumped in the water and got some canoes though, so that was really fun. Bit scary a few days after we had been a boat had sunk - but nonetheless was really fun and met our Aussie pals there. After a days recovery in Hanoi we started our venture down South.
We took the sleeper train down to Hoi An the former Vietnam capital. The scenery was spectacular on the journey overlooking the South China Sea. Hoi An was a really cool historic city with tonnes of lanterns and cobbled streets and tailor shops. We cycled out to China beach which was our first taste of the beach life so far! After one night we decided to head further south in order to catch up with the Aussies and the party times.
Na Trang was a pretty characterless beach town but we had loads of fun there for a couple of nights. You had to keep your eye on belongings there - nasty motorcycle men. Our first day there we managed to end up at VIN PEARL - a russian owned theme/water park. lets just say that the safety checks there weren't that thorough. The family slide was definitely made for SIX people; not seven. It wasn't the sort of place you'd expect to pop up in Nam, but was another fun ridiculous day. After Na Trang we went to a place in the central highlands called Dalat. It was a bigger town than we expected and really nice, but the highlight was getting out of the town to look at some of the amazing views and scenery. We stayed there for 2 nights which was enough really, next stop: Ho Chi Minh City AKA SAIGON.
Arriving in Saigon at 4.30am is not to be recommended... Saw some poor fella get mugged so we darted to the first hostel we saw! The War Remnants Museum (formally The American War Crimes Museum) was fascinating. It was by far the best museum we've been to, slightly biased but it has apparently been toned down! The photo exhibition was pretty horrific. The next day we went on a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels with our tour guide 'Hai Fat Man' who was a laugh. And fat. The tunnels were ridiculously small and hot. Luckily we didnt encounter any bats as Phil got stuck.
Cambodia
So after a good 2 weeks in Vietnam, I think we both felt ready to move on to the next country. We decided to add Sihanoukville into our itinery because we had heard such good things about it. A beach down at the south of the country, Sihanoukville was brilliant. We met Seamus along the way and had an awesome three days on the beach and staying in Monkey Republic - another awesome hostel with bungalows, hamocks and massive portions. Our first day on the beach Phil got pursuaded to wax his back by one of the beach ladies. However, it wasn't wax but threading that Phil ahd agreed to. So after a good 45 minutes of biting into his vest and bashing his feet while I took photos, Phil had a silky smooth back. It looked weird without the hair. It was so funny though. Seamus being the good man he is then agreed to get his chest waxed in honour of Phil's pain. We had lobster for lunch to celebrate and went in the sea which was the warmest water we've ever been in!
Then it was off to the 8th wonder of the world, Ankor Wat. Seeing the temples at sunrise was an amazing sight. Ken our tuk-tuk man did a sterling job carting us around. We both took about 60 photos there was so much to see. Siem Reap was a quality city as well with some excellent BBQ establishments! We even had our feet eaten by some weird little fish. All in all we definitely missed a trick not spending longer in Cambodia.
Thailand
And so it was back into Thailand for the final leg of Asia. There was no trouble on the border which we were thankful for as trouble seems to follow us around! Then we had a day in Bangkok using the awesome mono-rail and then down to the island of Ko Phi Phi.
Phi Phi ( Pee Pee) was the textbook tropical island. Stunning white beaches and shear karst cliffs. We did a bit of snorkeling around the bays (which included 'the beach' beach ) but didnt get to see any sharks. Staying at The Rock hostel was an experience. The craziest dorm we've stayed in by a long way. A bit much after 3 nights! Phi Phi was devastated by the Tsunami and the redevelopment hasnt been too kind to it but it was still one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Railey beach was our next stop, where we planned to hide out until our flight to Oz. We stayed in Ao Nang for one night and then got the boat over to Ton Sai (Railey Beach East) which is a massive rock climbing haunt. But the beaches were again incredible and surrounded by spectacular cliffs. It was the perfect place to hideout for 4 nights. We stayed in a bungalow and nearly pooed our pants the first night when we thought a monkey was in the room. Turns out they just like scuttling on the roof but it was a bit scary but we got used to it. I think the monkeys liked us. We did feel like we were in the jungle a little bit - saw a massive spider, lizards and a snake jump out of a tree. Was really cool. We got eaten alive by mossies though - I want to destroy them.
And so now we are in Bangkok for the third time, waiting to fly to Melbourne. We are so excited it's ridiculous. A bit Pad Thai-ed and Rice-ed out to say the least. Bring on the Barbys!
Won't leave it so long next time. Promise.
Jess and Phil
