A Montage Of Moments

Cambodia, Phnom Penh- Firing Range

FULL MOON PARTY

Vietnam!

The Old Quarter of Ha Noi where we have been staying is even more hectic with motorbikes everwhere who are constantly using their horns. We booked a tour to Ha Long bay- one of the natural wonders of the world and it didn't dissapoint. The cruise ship was drastically different from the one adveritised, but perfectly decent condition with great seafood meals. The first day we met Jack, George and Matt, all from England and all on gap yahs like ourselves, that had been doing he the exact same countries a different way round so it was useful to gain experience from them and vice versa. The price of the drinks was extortionate- $2 for a small can when you can get the equivalent  amount on the street out of a keg for 15p. We managed to find some water vendors who row around to the different tourist boats selling food and drink who sold tigers for half the price and so got a good few in, much to the captians anger. The next morning was a struggle to wake for sunrise, which wasn't that spectacular because of the clouds (sunset was better) but was stil pleasant. We bid farewell to our English friends who had booked an extra day and were off to another island and relaxed, taking in the scenery on the top deck. Our transfer back to Ha Noi was cramped and the 4 hrs seemed alot longer. Finally we were back and wasted no time in sampling some tastey street food and cheap draught beer. We slept well that night and the next day visited the mausoleum of Ho Chi Min which turned out to be closed as I forgot to check the opening hours. We returned to the old quarter for some more food and beers before boarding our sleeper bus to Hué. We managed to find perhaps the worst seats once more- a 5 man upper cave at the back of the bus with no room to manouver. The 15 hrs passed very slowly, and little to no sleep was had by the time we arrived in Hué. We had breakfast and got a taxi to drop our bags at the travel agent before heading into the old citedal. Vast and at times overun, it was difficult to picture a complete complex of buildings but nevertheless it was interesting. To get back to the travel agents we hired cyclos- bikes with carriages attatched to the from of them. On the bus to Hoi An we made sure we got single seats, and they felt like luxury in comparison, although still a little cramped. We drove through a big rainstorm which managed to get my bag wet even though it was in the hold. When we arrived we found a decent hotel With a pool for $5 a night, not bad considering Hoi An prices and immediately made use of it going for a dip to cool off. Next it was time for a few beers, this time for 3000d or 10p a glass, it was rude not to have several! We continued our ongoing pool championship for drinks at the Aussi Aussi bar, who were offering free buckets with any drink purchased before returning home in the early hours to get some rest for the next days activities. We rented some bikes for $1 each and cycled the 5km to the beach in the sweltering heat. When we got there we bought a football and quickly found ourselves playing with 6 or 7 locals. Next we went for a swim, the water was nice and warm and we played piggy in the middle with the locals. The sand literally burnt feet if you stood still for too long so we headed to a 'street' restaurant on the beach by some palm trees and had some coconut water (fresh out of the coconut) and some cao Lao- a pork and noodle dish. We chilled playing cards and more footie before biking back through the beginnings of a storm to return the bikes. When we boareded our sleeper bus we were told it was too full to take us so we would have to change. The new bus was a another sleeper and was entirely Vietnamise who spoke little English. We were made to pay $5 for the switch which probably went straight into the pocket of the baby roach who was organising proceedings. After and average night sleep we were told to get out at 5.00 to pick up our original 'full bus' which dropped us in Nha Trang centre. The sunrise over the beach was awesome, I know I'm looking forward to a couple of days of beach, watersports and nightlife.  Harry, Dan and Josh

Vietnam

Laos!

Luangprabang had a strong French influence that was evident from it's numerous bakeries and small cafés. We quickly found the oudamphong guesthouse, recommeded in our guides and caught up with a couple of hours sleep after a tiring overnight bus. Next it was time to explore- we had lunch at the ...... café - widely acclaimed for it's sandwiches, and it didn't dissapoint. Next we headed to Wat Xieng Thong, before heading onto a 100m high vantage point to see the surrounding mountains and take some pictures.  Our transfer to Vang Vieng was due to take 6hrs but it actually took around 9. The roads were bump and the minivan cramped and uncomfortable. On the way we drove through the mountains and so saw the most amazing scenery. We also went through one of the many rainstorms we would be encountering as some of SEA entered it's wet season. When we arrived we checked into Jammee guesthouse,and had our first sample of the countries' beer- BeerLao. The next day we went tubing and met Nick, Nick and Johans from Denmark who we would be hanging around with for the next few days. Tubing was probably he best experience so far, with lots of activities to do like slides, zipwires, swings, basketball etc. Infact, Dan won us a free bucket after getting 3 baskets in a row. We returned at 6pm In order to get our deposit back and headed to a restaurant to have food with the Danish guys. That evening we went to the bucked bar- offering free buckets before 9.30 which we took full advantage off. There we met a tour guide who said he could take us to the caves by motorbike the next day and we agreed. Unfortunately I managed to lose my camera at the bar with all our tubing photos and videos on- such a shame! Biking the next day was interesting, whilst Dan rode with our guide myself and Josh rode alone down the dirt track roads. The cave was a 200m climb up but was worth it, toruist free, with unmarked paths and pitch black inside it felt as though we were the first ones there. We spent about 1 and a half hours there before returning to the blue lagoon for a swim and more platform acrobatics. The water was turquoise and there were loads of fish- a perfect place to cool off after the sweaty caves. After returning to our guesthouse  it was time to have a few more beers before the return of the bucket bar that evening! We were sad to leave the next day- VV was the place were we had had the most fun and it was a shame we had to move on. Our bus to Vientiene took 4 hours, the movie of choice being King Kong. We arrived had a few fruit shakes and boarded our sleeper bus, the bus we had been looking forward to becuase of the flat beds. Hysterical Laughter because of the disbelief of our beds ensued. We had be place in 'the cave' a triple bed (usually room for two) at the back of the bus, with a ceiling so low we couldn't sit next to the toilet. Dan also worryingly pointed out that we would be probably dead if hit from behind- bring on the 24hrs! On the way we passed a sad sight- a lifeless man on the road with his bike ontop of him- instead of stopping people just drove past! We reached the border at 2am but were woken at 6 to go through formalities, us and the Argentinian girls who were above use were made to walk about 1,5km to go through various checkpoints whilst the locals got a lift with the bus. We thought the crew resembled a nest of cockroaches especially the boss who we dubbed papa roach because of his angry nature and suicidal driving. We were relieved when we reached Ha Noi, exactly 24hrs after we had set off, and were looking looking forward to what Vietnam brings Harry, Dan and Josh 

Laos snaps!