So... we've had some amazing times. Amazing times that I think should be read on Albert's blog (http://albertandsoutheastasia.blogspot.com) lol.
I will say no more. :)
We took an overnight train to Hoi An, Vietnam.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Welcome to Vietnam!
As I write, I sit in an internet cafe in Hoi An, Vietnam. This city is incredibly beautiful. You can feel the history, the love and the pain that was once here and still remains.
The city before this was Hanoi, the intoxicating capital of Vietnam, If I had to describe it in few words, I would say: fast, hot, sticky, drunken and full of life. When we arrived, it was late and we were tired... We had just met up with Noelle(finally!) and now we just wanted to find a place to shower, to eat and to chill. We found the Backpackers Hostel and it was full of foreigners... everyone was from all over the world except for some of the workers who were actually vietnamese. We checked in, thinking that this was the most touristy place we could ever stay, but thankful that we could just breathe for one second... because the plane ride from Vientiene to Hanoi had me praying to GOD, the entire time!!
Hanoi was crazy, crazy, crazy! I had a love/hate relationship with it. We had our first meal at some random restaurant, and had some pho. It was good. but I'm thinking the chicken could have been cardboard... it just didn't taste right!! LOL
We set out for our first day and it was tiresome... those stories are to come!
The city before this was Hanoi, the intoxicating capital of Vietnam, If I had to describe it in few words, I would say: fast, hot, sticky, drunken and full of life. When we arrived, it was late and we were tired... We had just met up with Noelle(finally!) and now we just wanted to find a place to shower, to eat and to chill. We found the Backpackers Hostel and it was full of foreigners... everyone was from all over the world except for some of the workers who were actually vietnamese. We checked in, thinking that this was the most touristy place we could ever stay, but thankful that we could just breathe for one second... because the plane ride from Vientiene to Hanoi had me praying to GOD, the entire time!!
Hanoi was crazy, crazy, crazy! I had a love/hate relationship with it. We had our first meal at some random restaurant, and had some pho. It was good. but I'm thinking the chicken could have been cardboard... it just didn't taste right!! LOL
We set out for our first day and it was tiresome... those stories are to come!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
slow boat to LUANG PRUBANG, Laos
the journey was EPIC! We took a slow boat (was supposed to carry ~100 people...carried about 150) from the great city of Chiang Khong to Luang Prubang. This voyage was a two day trip down the Mekong River... completely crazy! We met some amazing folks and actually made friends whom I think we'll see sometime in our future trips. Asiya and Ali from Canada, Joanne and John from Canada/ New Zealand, Justin and Malvina from Ireland.... the list goes on. We were the "cool kids" on the boat... and, of course, everyone wanted to hang out with us. LOL
We finally got to our destination and LP was a great city with obvious french influence, great Laos massages, good food, and great bars! The rain was serious... nothing like I've seen in Cali!
We finally got to our destination and LP was a great city with obvious french influence, great Laos massages, good food, and great bars! The rain was serious... nothing like I've seen in Cali!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Back to the beach!
The top photo (just me) was on our way to Phuket... getting ready to the islands! The bottom photo is while riding a boat into Maya Cove. The landscape behind Albert and I was all around us... complete paradise. These beaches were the ones that were used in the film "The Beach". The BOMB dot COM.Royal Agricultural Project
This was in the hills, northeast of the city of Pai. We came upon beautiful gardens and flower patches that were breathtaking. As we were walking through, we came across some younger monks who spoke great English. They let us take a picture with them. :)
In Chiang Mai, a few days ago, we went to The Tribal Museum where we learned about the Kings "Royal Agricultural Project" which was put into place to support education and balance with planting goods and selling them. The project has created a multitude of jobs and opportunities for the hill tribe community and has also created an alternative to the 'slash and burn" practice of using the land and moving on. This project has also helped the community people make a living on growing fruits and vegetables, rather than Opium. It was absolutely incredible.
PAI... the hippie town
Pai was cool because it was full of backpackers, folks with dreds, herbal anecdotes and lots of music! We rented a motorbike (which, btw, is the BEST way to travel in an unfamiliar town in Southeast Asia) and traveld through the town as well as the countryside. Pai is known for it's beautiful waterfalls, hot springs, elephant camps and amazing nice people. I experienced all of these and much more. The second night we came across a pretty typical Thai restaurant but they had an incredible band playing that pulled all of us in (me, Alby, Charles and Joanna). I got lost in the jazz/ rock tunes and dinner was delicious.
Overall, Pai was a great place. The guesthouse we stayed in had its own pool and the bathrooms were beautiful! (if you haven't been to SE Asia, you may not know what I mean) I'd love to go there again...
Overall, Pai was a great place. The guesthouse we stayed in had its own pool and the bathrooms were beautiful! (if you haven't been to SE Asia, you may not know what I mean) I'd love to go there again...
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