Emergency!!

Don't worry, the plane isn't on fire, its just the crazy steamy aircon of Vietnam Airlines

Location:Trương Định,Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam

Greetings from Cat Ba island

Jealous?





After several hectic days in Hanoi, ducking and weaving throughout the bikes and headless rabbits, sailing the amazing Halong Bay to the idyllic Cat Ba island is a welcomed respite.

Our journey yesterday was somewhat hectic as things in Vietnam are not always quite done by the rule... Promises of a smooth journey by Edward scissorhands-like travel agents (he had finger nails longer than mine which he kept gesturing about and distracting me, so I didn't listen to a thing he said) weren't as true as we'd believe.
Lots of confusion and sitting around waiting, chatting with equally confused fellow tourists, comparing itineraries and fending off eager street hawkers. But we got here eventually and it was worth it!






The floating village as visited by the top gear crew - a clear high light for me!

Today we hired bikes for $3 and felt like children as we rode to Cat Ba Co 3, the beach as pictured at the top. I write this as I sit drinking my coke light and enjoy the beautiful surrounds...

Lesson 1: Driving in Vietnam

It's a Top Gear inspired trip, let's start with the road rules that first initiate us in this fine country!

1 - it's a two lane road (if there's any markings at all!) but feel free to make a third lane on top the broken line down the middle.
2 - motorbikes rule!! Cars.....WHY??
3 - motorbikes are best carrying two or more passengers. Squish additional children in between. I saw a baby riding on the front of the handle bars last night.
4 - helmets optional
5 - shoes optional
6 - honking horn at nothing essential
7 - the rules are... There are no rules....

Side note: to my delight, rickshaws still exist... But the sort of ones where someone pedal powers the cart from behind, so they probably have a different name I don't know about. However the only people I saw facilitating these rickshaws were fat old white people :/

Next episode

Hello God, its me, Jane.

I've been home now a good 2 months... almost 3. New adventure has already been planned, STAT! I have been sorely tempted to ditch this though and travel with my friend to Malaysia for the Christmas holidays to visit her family (god wouldn't they love me to drop in on them too?).

Wish I could, but unlikely as I've just started a new job as a textile designer for a fashion manufacturing company. Want to keep them happy as I'm actually enjoying the job. Surprise!

But back to the new plan - 2011: South East Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. Probably Sometime between August-October. Already got some great recruits on board, I'm loving the idea to get a group of people together and make a great unofficial tour of such a beautiful landscape. Maybe hire bikes!! (shh, don't tell mum but I'd love to ride a moped around there a la Top Gear). I am dreaming of sailing between the tiny islands of Halong Bay.... arrrghhhh!! There is so much to see and so little time......