Viet Nam A Beautiful and Culture filled place. A lot busier than Cambodia and way more hectic full of motor bikes and people racing around. Not nearly as poor as Cambodia but still street children and beggars. It was more westernized than I thought it would be. We started by hitting the ground running after a long long journey from Cambodia by only having 15 minutes rest before jumping on the back of some motor bikes.
1st Motorbike tour I had never been on a motorbike before and I have always wanted to. The guy I picked to ride on the back of was very excitable probably not the best person to choose for the first time. I gripped to the back seat as we darted traffic racing the other bikes not slowing for lorries buses or small children crossing the road. The Bikes took us up a small mountain in to look upon the view of Viet Nam we watched the sun set and headed back in the dark stopping of at a practically glow in the dark temple with an endless amount of neon lights, it was such a difference from the temples Cambodia.
Restaurant in Saigon We went out for the Danish boys last night in a lovely little restaurant, we didn't find out till later that we had been called Whores by some Vietnamese locals (over heard by Matt in the mens toilets) We had to be more careful with what we wore, what is summer clothes to us- showing leg could be seen as disrespectful in some parts.
Cu chi tunnels A guided tour around the Cu Chi tunnels where the Vietnamese hid during the Vietnam war. the tunnels where the size of a small person I couldn't even imagine going in one let alone living underground for at least 6 months which a lot people where forced to do. They had opened up one of the tunnels so tourists could go in them without getting stuck It was still only one meter by one meter and I couldn't bare to do it.
Mud Baths I was expecting what you see in movies where you are lying in think dark brown mud instead it was like Grey clay- pretty nasty sitting in it at first but was a lot of fun. We washed of in fresh hot water springs then were pounded by salt water, boiled in a tub of and cooled in a swimming pool.
Fruit lady This lady was selling bananas I bought one from her in return for a picture. In Viet Nam you would often see women of this age shuffling the streets selling what ever they had in there trolley of goods while faking a smile. This was taken just as her smile broke capturing her true emotion.
Hoi An The most magical city we have come across in Viet Nam, I took a lot of pictures around the cobbled streets capturing the authentic atmosphere of the place. We got dresses made in a place called Yuly it was an experience to have complete control over the design of the dress. I didn't have much money so had a little burgundy cotton dress made quite simple but fit me like a glove. After having our dresses made me and Bean realized just how appalling we where with sense of direction taking us an hour to find our way back to the hotel when it was meant to be a 10 minute walk in our defence each place looked so similar.
Called a Hooker for a 2nd time I got approached by a French lady who was propositioning me to come with her to Paris for a modelling job and she would put me up in hotels and pay for my flights. Niki who spoke French in the group spoke to here and realized that she was actually a pimp wanting high end escorts everyone else seemed appalled I was actually quite flattered.
2nd of the Motor Bike Tours The 3 hour tour was around Hue through the villages and rice fields. We saw the locals working in the rice fields, we went up a mountain which the Vietnamese used as a view point to spot and attack the Americans, We went to a temple where we rubbed a lucky frog statue. My favourite bit was the rice museum with a little crazy old lady who showed us how all the equipment was used to gather the rice. she had black teeth because in her day it was a sign of beauty to die your teeth black so she was flashing her smile to everyone. She also danced to I'm a Barbie girl and sang to us, I was in tears of laughter watching this 4ft 80 year old woman dancing about with the biggest smile on her face performing to us all.
Bold Men Obsession We went out to dinner and the owner of the restaurant came behind Alan (a guy from the our group) and took a photograph of his bald head. We asked her why and she walked away returning with 100's of laminated pictures of bald heads, very strange. she also told us she was famous in Holland and owned her own chat show I have a business card somewhere.
Ha long Bay We had a boat to ourselves decked out like a pirate ship. We stopped half way and jumped off the top of the boat into the cold water felt like you where falling for ages. We got to the caves and they were Incredible! Magical.
Karaoke One of my favourite nights on tour. We all headed to a karaoke Room some people where very involved (Erin and Jack) others not so much (Dwane) I think it was safe to say I sang the worst I had ever sung, but I think Ellie out shone me by quite away. We where the last ones there still rocking it out! Me Clarkson Christoph Elf Bean and Erin stayed till the end.
Ho Chi Minh We went to see Ho Chi Minh who was the leader in Viet Nam highly regarded. His body has been preserved even though he wanted to be reincarnated so his spirit could move on they went against his wishes and kept him on display in a museum. It was very strange we entered a room full of guards and Hon Chi Minh was in a glass casket just looking as if he was asleep. We later that day went on another motorbike tour and saw where John Mccane along with other American were imprisoned.
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