Part 1 - Hanoi, Vietnam:
I must confess that I'm not looking forward to the journey home - not because I don't want to go home. On the contrary, I'm ready to return to friends, family and DVDs of an adult nature.
However, it is the 28 hours of traveling (including flights and waiting time at the airports) and all when man flu has decided to cast its hook and reel me in!
Part 2 - Seoul, Korea:
The worst flight EVER! Asiana Airlines are great and I cannot fault them. What was at fault was my cold and the pressure which continued to build up in my ears and behind my left eye. It HURT!
Five hours later, I now seem to have recovered the hearing in my left ear. Seoul airport is helping me through - it's the best airport I've ever been to: free internet, luxury shopping, comfortable chairs you can sleep on and not wake up with a stiff neck, clean and quiet. Big thumbs up for Korea!
Part 3 - Heathrow Airport, UK:
A much better flight but 13 hours is a long time sitting in one chair! Donna and Nind were waiting as I arrived and it wasn't long before I was curled up in such a comfortable bed at Hotel de Nind.
Part 4 - Aldershot to Bristol:
Considering I had spent over 30 hours traveling from Vietnam to the UK, the train journey home was relatively pleasant and the 2 hours quickly vanished. A final taxi and I was home.
Thank you for a an amazing life enhancing journey.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Sa Pa
The final part of my journey in South East Asia. After saying goodbye to the gang and waving them off to the lyrics from 'The Sound of Music' I was all on my own and ready for the overnight train to Lao Cai near the Chinese boarder and then an hour drive to Sa Pa.
At first, Sa Pa reminded me of Snowdonia but as we travelled further into the mountains the true beauty of this region started to be revealed. From the cloud covered peaks to the terraced rice paddies peppered with wooden homes, local villagers walking along the road, gushing waterfalls and recent landsides - there was so much to take in.
Day 1: Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho and Lao Chi villages (H'Mong tribes).
My guide, Chi, met me at the hotel and soon we were on our way walking for 14k through muddy, narrow paths alongs the side of gorges, walking over bridges as if they were from an Indiana Jones film, balancng on the ridge of rice paddies, avoiding water buffalo and all the time taking care not to slip from the recent rain. I was aching, sweaty and sunburnt (even though it was raining) by the time we reached our homestay:
Day 2: 10k to Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai (Dzay tribes) and the waterfalls:
At the end of this trek I was picked up and taken to my 4 star hotel
(the 5 star was fully booked!) - an afternoon of pampering, an evening of relaxing, and, every so often, thinking how serreal it is to be lying on a king sized bed completely unwound and relaxed while taking a glimpe out of my window to survey the mountainous terrain.
Day 3: Sa Pa town, Ma Tra (H'Mong tribe) and Ta Phin (H'Mong and Dzao tribes). Another 14k today but it was much more level and actual paths to walk. A fine end to my time in Sa Pa.
At first, Sa Pa reminded me of Snowdonia but as we travelled further into the mountains the true beauty of this region started to be revealed. From the cloud covered peaks to the terraced rice paddies peppered with wooden homes, local villagers walking along the road, gushing waterfalls and recent landsides - there was so much to take in.
Day 1: Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho and Lao Chi villages (H'Mong tribes).
My guide, Chi, met me at the hotel and soon we were on our way walking for 14k through muddy, narrow paths alongs the side of gorges, walking over bridges as if they were from an Indiana Jones film, balancng on the ridge of rice paddies, avoiding water buffalo and all the time taking care not to slip from the recent rain. I was aching, sweaty and sunburnt (even though it was raining) by the time we reached our homestay:
Day 2: 10k to Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai (Dzay tribes) and the waterfalls:
At the end of this trek I was picked up and taken to my 4 star hotel
(the 5 star was fully booked!) - an afternoon of pampering, an evening of relaxing, and, every so often, thinking how serreal it is to be lying on a king sized bed completely unwound and relaxed while taking a glimpe out of my window to survey the mountainous terrain.
Day 3: Sa Pa town, Ma Tra (H'Mong tribe) and Ta Phin (H'Mong and Dzao tribes). Another 14k today but it was much more level and actual paths to walk. A fine end to my time in Sa Pa.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Typhoon in Hanoi
A typhoon hit Hanoi yesterday and it was INSANE! I have never seen rain as heavy, wind so forceful or lightening so extreme. Trees were blown over, the Hoan Kiem Lake overflowed, buildings disappeared from view and we saw a motorcyclist blown over!
Through all this the city carried on as normal, so, Sharon and I decided to do the same and have another beer!
Another awesome experience:
Through all this the city carried on as normal, so, Sharon and I decided to do the same and have another beer!
Another awesome experience:
Ha Long Bay
The only way I can describe Ha Long Bay to try to capture how spectacular it is (and I use this word out of context): a cacophony of beauty. Such a great day exploring these majestic islands on a junk boat.
Lunch on the Junk boat:
Following lunch we went kayaking:
Hanoi
I much prefer Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city. Even for a capital city with a population of 6 million, it feels quite intimate with its narrow streets, French colonial buildings, the friendliness of the people and a relaxed atmosphere.
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum:
Presidential Palace:
Ho Chi Minh's House:
One Pillar Pagoda:
Temple of Literature:
Hoa Lo Prison:
Cot Co Flag Tower:
Over looking Hoan Kiem Lake:
Den Ngoc Son:
Tortoise Tower:
The Ceramic Wall stretches for 4k through the east side of the city and was commissioned as part of Hanoi's 1000 year celebrations in 2010. We only had to cross a motorway to get to it!
Cool pictures of Hanoi:
The Water Puppet Theater:
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum:
(Social Republic of Vietnam forever)
Presidential Palace:
Ho Chi Minh's House:
One Pillar Pagoda:
Temple of Literature:
Hoa Lo Prison:
Cot Co Flag Tower:
Over looking Hoan Kiem Lake:
Den Ngoc Son:
Tortoise Tower:
The Ceramic Wall stretches for 4k through the east side of the city and was commissioned as part of Hanoi's 1000 year celebrations in 2010. We only had to cross a motorway to get to it!
Cool pictures of Hanoi:
The Water Puppet Theater:
Early morning exercise - Vietnam style:
Opera House:
St. Joseph's Cathedral:
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