Hanging out on the beach on an island off Nha Trang.
Very large statue.
Hanging out by the statue with the very large feet.
2026 Summer
4 months ago
Monday, August 11, 2008
Nha Trang Photos
Feet that are bigger than mine!
Hanging out on the beach on an island off Nha Trang.
Very large statue.
Hanging out by the statue with the very large feet.
Hanging out on the beach on an island off Nha Trang.
Very large statue.Hanging out by the statue with the very large feet.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
single supplement
We sprinted to the course for nothing. Our major concern was clearing customs and getting a taxi. Both done in a breeze but finding the course turned into an episode of the amazing race. It was 45 minutes of confusion as we broke into two taxis and were mislead a few times and then realised some other westerners were following our misguided taxi in their taxi as they wanted to get to the rowing course as well. We arrived with an hour to spare before the eight's started racing. We enjoyed a beer and watched the thunder and rain roll in right before the 5:20 start time. All that sprinting for nothing.
The highlight was walking by the mixed area where athletes could meet up with their family. I got to see Rachelle, Andie, Darcy and Jane. It was very surreal to see them as athletes and me as the spectator but great to see the people I am here to cheer on in person and receive a hug.
We arrived at our apartment late (11pm) and 'Bobby' met us at the subway stop and we walked the half block to our apartment. I am sleeping on the couch as the single (a cot) is not comfortable. My nickname on the trip has been 'single supplement' and this was definitely one of the instances where I was not happy to be flying solo as the other two bedrooms have big queen size beds. Other than that the place is big and on the 20th floor. Washer and tv but no towels so we are on the hunt for some this morning as I am rather ripe.
Bobby took us to the local police station this morning as we had to register there. They asked some interesting questions. We had to provide our religion and if we had a spouse we needed to tell them their full name and passport number. It was all very surreal.
No photos as we are in this scary gamer internet cafe that reeks and has about a hundred PCs that cost 3 RMB (50 cents) an hour but no access to a USB port.
The highlight was walking by the mixed area where athletes could meet up with their family. I got to see Rachelle, Andie, Darcy and Jane. It was very surreal to see them as athletes and me as the spectator but great to see the people I am here to cheer on in person and receive a hug.
We arrived at our apartment late (11pm) and 'Bobby' met us at the subway stop and we walked the half block to our apartment. I am sleeping on the couch as the single (a cot) is not comfortable. My nickname on the trip has been 'single supplement' and this was definitely one of the instances where I was not happy to be flying solo as the other two bedrooms have big queen size beds. Other than that the place is big and on the 20th floor. Washer and tv but no towels so we are on the hunt for some this morning as I am rather ripe.
Bobby took us to the local police station this morning as we had to register there. They asked some interesting questions. We had to provide our religion and if we had a spouse we needed to tell them their full name and passport number. It was all very surreal.
No photos as we are in this scary gamer internet cafe that reeks and has about a hundred PCs that cost 3 RMB (50 cents) an hour but no access to a USB port.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
written highlights of Vietnam
Sorry folks. My USB SD card reader will not fit into the one USB slot on this PC. You will have to wait for the photos.
Highlights from Vietnam:
1) Overnight sleeper train with Kim, Mary, Anthony & Lindsay. When unwrapping our sheets to make up our bed we found many hairs on the 'clean' sheets. Lindsay also killed two cockroaches. I had already ditched on the 2nd overnight train in favor of flying and apparently on that overnight train the air conditioning turned the car into the Arctic circle. Sad I missed out on that fun.
2) We arrived in Nha Trang and hired a driver for the day (all day for only $30!). We saw 3 tourist attractions one of which was temple with real monks chanting. It was very cool. They had some massive Buddha statutes that I really wish I could post photos of.
3) After the sights we went for a mud bath...seriously. It cost is each 8,000 VND ($5) and we had our own mud bath jacuzzi, then a mineral water hot tub after being pulverized by jets of water. No photos were taken. The image is burned into my memory and I am still picking up mud out of my ears.
4) Went out on a boat for the day and visited this great island where we rented beach chairs and drank beers in the ocean. Then feasted on freshly caught jumbo prawns and napped. Does it get any better than this?
5) Hoi An was amazing! Beach and shopping; my two favorites. Had my first real suit made and I think I am addicted to having tailor made clothes. The difference is amazing. We were staying about 6km outside of town (but just 1/2 a block from the beach) so for less than $2 a day we rented old school bikes with kick stands and baskets on the front to ride into town. They were one speed and we had to dodge motos and taxis but it was amazing to be riding by rice fields even if I was practically chewing on my kneecaps due to the low seat height. Felt like we were a gang of 5 kids out riding our bikes in the back lane.
6) Mary believed. She really wanted to do the overnight trip in Halong Bay and while the rest of us were losing hope (due to our cancelled flight and the bad weather) Mary was on the phone the minute we arrived in Hanoi. And somehow less than 2 hours later we were in a van headed to Halong City to get in our 'junk' and tour the islands. There was a bit of drama on the junk as they had oversold it but Kim and Lindsay graciously invited me to share their room. With a deck chair and foamy for padding I was all set. We ate fresh seafood (Kim and I declined the fish), swam in the ocean and toured a grotto with crazy rock formations. Sitting up on deck with a beer in hand and 2 Gravol in my stomach I was truly content.
So much more but it is late and I am tired and we have to leave the hotel at 7am tomorrow for the airport. We arrive in Beijing at 2:45pm and have our minds set on making it out to the race course for the 8+s which start at 5:20pm. It is going to be tight. We are formulating a plan where one person sprints to the taxi line up and the rest of us store the luggage. It calls for me to try and not check my bag...this should be a challenge.
Hopefully more photos once we are settled in our apartment in Beijing and I find an internet cafe.
Highlights from Vietnam:
1) Overnight sleeper train with Kim, Mary, Anthony & Lindsay. When unwrapping our sheets to make up our bed we found many hairs on the 'clean' sheets. Lindsay also killed two cockroaches. I had already ditched on the 2nd overnight train in favor of flying and apparently on that overnight train the air conditioning turned the car into the Arctic circle. Sad I missed out on that fun.
2) We arrived in Nha Trang and hired a driver for the day (all day for only $30!). We saw 3 tourist attractions one of which was temple with real monks chanting. It was very cool. They had some massive Buddha statutes that I really wish I could post photos of.
3) After the sights we went for a mud bath...seriously. It cost is each 8,000 VND ($5) and we had our own mud bath jacuzzi, then a mineral water hot tub after being pulverized by jets of water. No photos were taken. The image is burned into my memory and I am still picking up mud out of my ears.
4) Went out on a boat for the day and visited this great island where we rented beach chairs and drank beers in the ocean. Then feasted on freshly caught jumbo prawns and napped. Does it get any better than this?
5) Hoi An was amazing! Beach and shopping; my two favorites. Had my first real suit made and I think I am addicted to having tailor made clothes. The difference is amazing. We were staying about 6km outside of town (but just 1/2 a block from the beach) so for less than $2 a day we rented old school bikes with kick stands and baskets on the front to ride into town. They were one speed and we had to dodge motos and taxis but it was amazing to be riding by rice fields even if I was practically chewing on my kneecaps due to the low seat height. Felt like we were a gang of 5 kids out riding our bikes in the back lane.
6) Mary believed. She really wanted to do the overnight trip in Halong Bay and while the rest of us were losing hope (due to our cancelled flight and the bad weather) Mary was on the phone the minute we arrived in Hanoi. And somehow less than 2 hours later we were in a van headed to Halong City to get in our 'junk' and tour the islands. There was a bit of drama on the junk as they had oversold it but Kim and Lindsay graciously invited me to share their room. With a deck chair and foamy for padding I was all set. We ate fresh seafood (Kim and I declined the fish), swam in the ocean and toured a grotto with crazy rock formations. Sitting up on deck with a beer in hand and 2 Gravol in my stomach I was truly content.
So much more but it is late and I am tired and we have to leave the hotel at 7am tomorrow for the airport. We arrive in Beijing at 2:45pm and have our minds set on making it out to the race course for the 8+s which start at 5:20pm. It is going to be tight. We are formulating a plan where one person sprints to the taxi line up and the rest of us store the luggage. It calls for me to try and not check my bag...this should be a challenge.
Hopefully more photos once we are settled in our apartment in Beijing and I find an internet cafe.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
a well made suit
In Hoi An and just had another great day. We rented bikes and went into town, had mango lassies, shopped for clothing, ordered and were fitted for tailored clothing, then drank cheap beers, biked back to hotel, went swimming in the ocean and are now about to head for dinner. It doesn't get much better than this!
Tomorrow at 11am I go for a fitting for my new suit (jacket, pant and skirt) and we head to Hanoi on an 8pm flight. I have the largest amount of luggage with me currently (one 65L backpack) and everyone else is discussing shipping their clothing home. I think I am going to tough it out and just buy a small suitcase.
Ciao!
Tomorrow at 11am I go for a fitting for my new suit (jacket, pant and skirt) and we head to Hanoi on an 8pm flight. I have the largest amount of luggage with me currently (one 65L backpack) and everyone else is discussing shipping their clothing home. I think I am going to tough it out and just buy a small suitcase.
Ciao!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Angkor Awesome
A few posts behind but just having too great a time to be checking email and blogging. So this is a catch up post from my solo trip to Cambodia and Angkor temples.
I took over 200 photos and am sharing my top few here. AMAZING! Worth the extra $300 in airfare etc. to go see ancient history. 
Yes, I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings. This is the one temple that they have let the trees over take. Totally amazing.
Another solo traveller and I helped one another out in taking some cool photos in the Indian Jones type light that was streaming in.
Yes, I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings. This is the one temple that they have let the trees over take. Totally amazing.
Another solo traveller and I helped one another out in taking some cool photos in the Indian Jones type light that was streaming in. 
Count the number of faces if you can.
Because all statues need a little flare.
Kim, Lindsay, Mary and Anthony headed off on the train this evening for Hoi An. I am flying there tomorrow morning. There were cockroaches on the train to Nha Trang so they were all jealous of my decision to fly rather than overnight train.
Will try and post Nha Trang photos at some point but just to prove that I am no longer travelling solo here is a photo of us all on the train. Mary is represented by her hair only. Up at 5:30am to head to the airport so I am off to bed.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
i can fix this...
When I travel I don't like to ask for help. Ever. For instance, in my hotel room today I broke two things (or thought I did). First I decided to do some in-sink laundry. I had immediately dropped off shorts, t-shirts and socks to be washed at the hotel as I was walking around town like I was going to gym. Pink dri-fit shirt and workout shorts with runners. Not a great look for me.
So I do the rest (underwear) in the sink. Not sure how the stink stopper works I just push it in because I see no lever to raise and lower it. This was fine until I was done washing. The stopper would not come out. I used my nails, the edge of a pack of pills and even tried tweezers. Nothing. The sink was full of grungy water. I resorted to using the tub and decided I would try again after I went in to town. But before I went in to town I needed to load my valuables into the in-room safe. It was the usual enter some numbers and your most precious items (in my case: passport, ipod, and about $800 worth of Olympic rowing tickets) are locked away from any housekeeper that is randomly your identical triplet and wants to move to Canada, is also enjoying the new Clumsy Lovers song R sent her and wants to take four friends to watch rowing in Beijing.
I am good with numbers and normally don't forget anything important. I think I've only had to have a lock cut once and I learned my lesson. But somehow the thing locked and when I enter what I thought I entered it just beeps Error at me. Not good Mav.
So I head out from the hotel with these two issues in the back of mind. No, I don't do the obvious and ask someone at reception for help. I just decide to work on solving these issues later.
I walk around town and say no 20 times to tuk tuk drivers. I don't tell them I am trying to burn some calories and prefer to go on foot. They are all rather slim and would not understand. After a couple of hours of walking I decided it is time for a foot massage. Rather then head to the cheap places screaming $6 per hour I go to the nicest one I can find where I have to ask for a price list and it is $12. The reasoning for this is that I want to enjoy the foot massage and if the place looks clean I won't be paranoid the whole time that the 12 mosquito bites on my left leg are becoming infected as someone rubs a random lotion into them with questionably clean hands. This stresses me out which is the opposite of being relaxed by a foot massage.
I get lead up to the footbath first as I have walked in (again, in the bad workout outfit) and have mud all over my legs due to the muddy streets from the torrential rain. As the women uses a full on special sink in the floor (no bucket!) just for feet I see her push the sink stopper in. I watch curiously to see how it comes out at the end and...she pushes in again and the stopper just pops up. Bingo! I relax into my foot massage with the knowledge that I will fix the sink in my hotel room as soon as I return.
Now my third on-going issue on this trip is soup ass (aka traveller's diarrhea). Again, I have spent a week not claiming defeat; I have not used the antibiotics from the travel clinic. I tried to rationalise my problem; 'my body is just reacting to new food', 'ít is normal to crap a liter of water' and í can fix it myself. i won't eat for 24 hours and my digestive system will reset itself just like when my ipod freezes and the only way to get it to work is to let the battery run out and then recharge it.' My 24 hour trick did not work.
As I lay enjoying the foot massage my stomach churned. Inner plumbing could be heard moving liquids from one chamber to another. As I paid for the foot massage I knew I had approximately 10 minutes before I was going to be in a bad place that could not be explained as muddy legs from the street.
I walk quickly back to the hotel and race to my room. Will leave out the next part but suffice it say that I broke open that miracle canister of pills and I am praying they kick in before tomorrow nights overnight train ride.
The sink is fixed and now the only problem is the safe issue. Maybe I can have my UK passport fedexed to me and buy some last minute rowing tickets?
So I do the rest (underwear) in the sink. Not sure how the stink stopper works I just push it in because I see no lever to raise and lower it. This was fine until I was done washing. The stopper would not come out. I used my nails, the edge of a pack of pills and even tried tweezers. Nothing. The sink was full of grungy water. I resorted to using the tub and decided I would try again after I went in to town. But before I went in to town I needed to load my valuables into the in-room safe. It was the usual enter some numbers and your most precious items (in my case: passport, ipod, and about $800 worth of Olympic rowing tickets) are locked away from any housekeeper that is randomly your identical triplet and wants to move to Canada, is also enjoying the new Clumsy Lovers song R sent her and wants to take four friends to watch rowing in Beijing.
I am good with numbers and normally don't forget anything important. I think I've only had to have a lock cut once and I learned my lesson. But somehow the thing locked and when I enter what I thought I entered it just beeps Error at me. Not good Mav.
So I head out from the hotel with these two issues in the back of mind. No, I don't do the obvious and ask someone at reception for help. I just decide to work on solving these issues later.
I walk around town and say no 20 times to tuk tuk drivers. I don't tell them I am trying to burn some calories and prefer to go on foot. They are all rather slim and would not understand. After a couple of hours of walking I decided it is time for a foot massage. Rather then head to the cheap places screaming $6 per hour I go to the nicest one I can find where I have to ask for a price list and it is $12. The reasoning for this is that I want to enjoy the foot massage and if the place looks clean I won't be paranoid the whole time that the 12 mosquito bites on my left leg are becoming infected as someone rubs a random lotion into them with questionably clean hands. This stresses me out which is the opposite of being relaxed by a foot massage.
I get lead up to the footbath first as I have walked in (again, in the bad workout outfit) and have mud all over my legs due to the muddy streets from the torrential rain. As the women uses a full on special sink in the floor (no bucket!) just for feet I see her push the sink stopper in. I watch curiously to see how it comes out at the end and...she pushes in again and the stopper just pops up. Bingo! I relax into my foot massage with the knowledge that I will fix the sink in my hotel room as soon as I return.
Now my third on-going issue on this trip is soup ass (aka traveller's diarrhea). Again, I have spent a week not claiming defeat; I have not used the antibiotics from the travel clinic. I tried to rationalise my problem; 'my body is just reacting to new food', 'ít is normal to crap a liter of water' and í can fix it myself. i won't eat for 24 hours and my digestive system will reset itself just like when my ipod freezes and the only way to get it to work is to let the battery run out and then recharge it.' My 24 hour trick did not work.
As I lay enjoying the foot massage my stomach churned. Inner plumbing could be heard moving liquids from one chamber to another. As I paid for the foot massage I knew I had approximately 10 minutes before I was going to be in a bad place that could not be explained as muddy legs from the street.
I walk quickly back to the hotel and race to my room. Will leave out the next part but suffice it say that I broke open that miracle canister of pills and I am praying they kick in before tomorrow nights overnight train ride.
The sink is fixed and now the only problem is the safe issue. Maybe I can have my UK passport fedexed to me and buy some last minute rowing tickets?
Friday, August 1, 2008
Camboida = humidity
And I thought Beijing was bad. Arrived in Cambodia yesterday after two flights and then took a flight this morning to Siem Reap. Torrential rain is holding me back from touring the famous Angkor Wat. Will have to wait until tomorrow but I have a good part of the day for touring as my flight leaves for Ho Chi Minh City at 5pm.
So far it seems a lot like India here with fewer people speaking English and less poverty. I am staying in quite a nice hotel for $38 a night and that includes breakfast.
I meet up with Kim, Lindsay, Mary and Anthony tomorrow night in HCMC and we get on an overnight train to the beach town of Nha Trang. For those keeping track I will put up my itinerary on the blog.
Will now be heading out to get a foot massage and walk around Siem Reap. Maybe spend the evening in the roof top pool with swim up bar. Just in case you have forgotten this is the vacation portion of the trip. Have already read one entire book on the two flights last night and am now working on the David Sedaris book. Slightly panicked as I left the other 3 books in Beijing as I thought they were too much weight. Have to find other travellers to trade with ASAP. No R, will not trade David Sedaris...he is all yours.
So far it seems a lot like India here with fewer people speaking English and less poverty. I am staying in quite a nice hotel for $38 a night and that includes breakfast.
I meet up with Kim, Lindsay, Mary and Anthony tomorrow night in HCMC and we get on an overnight train to the beach town of Nha Trang. For those keeping track I will put up my itinerary on the blog.
Will now be heading out to get a foot massage and walk around Siem Reap. Maybe spend the evening in the roof top pool with swim up bar. Just in case you have forgotten this is the vacation portion of the trip. Have already read one entire book on the two flights last night and am now working on the David Sedaris book. Slightly panicked as I left the other 3 books in Beijing as I thought they were too much weight. Have to find other travellers to trade with ASAP. No R, will not trade David Sedaris...he is all yours.
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