Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hello My Son
Day 7 - Hoi An
So today was our first day in historical Hoi An. Woke up and it was really lashing rain. It was so constant all day, it was like a miserable winters day back home but it was 29 degrees or something crazy like that. So the plan here was go to the tailors and see what we can get done. So off we went with our ponchos on and up we rock to a few tailors searching for the right one. We went to a place called yaly and it was really good. So I decided to get my suit for Stefs wedding. And Alv decided to get 2 dresses made while she was there coz they are all so cheap but great quality. So after that we went for a wander around the city but the rain was killing what was meant to be an amzing place and there was floods all over the streets. So went went for dinner in a place called Green Chilli and it was fairly good, strangely enough they done Mexican food and BBQ and stuff so was a little weird. After that we done some more wandering down by the riverside and all the lanterns were so cool at nite. So many colours all over the town. So we went and checked the weather fir tomorrow hoping that it wasn't all doom and gloom for the next 2 days. Luckily weathr was set to be good so roll on sunshine.
Day 8 - Day trip to My Son
So today the weather was nothing short of glourious. Like the best wether we have had anywhere so far. It was just beautiful outside. So the plan today was jump on the bikes and go to a place called My Son which is only 60 km away from Hoi An so was a handy drive out to it. Drove out on crazy highway 1 but was all good and got to My Son at about noon or so, so was good timing coz all the tour groups were just leaving so we had the entire site to ourselves and it was amazing. Most of the buildings there are from the 8th century and it's crazy how they are still standing coz they are all made from red brick but no mortar at all was used. And to see them still standing after all the wars and bombs that fell is just insane. Some of the temple groups out there was basically destroyed from the Vietnam war and the Vietnamese had to plee with the Americans to stop bombing the site coz it the most important Cham site in Vietnam but by that time too much damage was done. The site is said to be the Vietnamese Angkor Wat. It was so cool to get to see the temples. So this evening then we went for a trad Vietnamese dinner of beef pho (noodle soup) and a chicken with lemongrass and chilli and all for less than €4 or something like that. It's so cheap over here. So we went walking aroun the city again for the evening and through all the markets checking out all the stalls. We also booked our bus ticket down to Nha Thrang for tomorrow nite.
So today was our first day in historical Hoi An. Woke up and it was really lashing rain. It was so constant all day, it was like a miserable winters day back home but it was 29 degrees or something crazy like that. So the plan here was go to the tailors and see what we can get done. So off we went with our ponchos on and up we rock to a few tailors searching for the right one. We went to a place called yaly and it was really good. So I decided to get my suit for Stefs wedding. And Alv decided to get 2 dresses made while she was there coz they are all so cheap but great quality. So after that we went for a wander around the city but the rain was killing what was meant to be an amzing place and there was floods all over the streets. So went went for dinner in a place called Green Chilli and it was fairly good, strangely enough they done Mexican food and BBQ and stuff so was a little weird. After that we done some more wandering down by the riverside and all the lanterns were so cool at nite. So many colours all over the town. So we went and checked the weather fir tomorrow hoping that it wasn't all doom and gloom for the next 2 days. Luckily weathr was set to be good so roll on sunshine.
Day 8 - Day trip to My Son
So today the weather was nothing short of glourious. Like the best wether we have had anywhere so far. It was just beautiful outside. So the plan today was jump on the bikes and go to a place called My Son which is only 60 km away from Hoi An so was a handy drive out to it. Drove out on crazy highway 1 but was all good and got to My Son at about noon or so, so was good timing coz all the tour groups were just leaving so we had the entire site to ourselves and it was amazing. Most of the buildings there are from the 8th century and it's crazy how they are still standing coz they are all made from red brick but no mortar at all was used. And to see them still standing after all the wars and bombs that fell is just insane. Some of the temple groups out there was basically destroyed from the Vietnam war and the Vietnamese had to plee with the Americans to stop bombing the site coz it the most important Cham site in Vietnam but by that time too much damage was done. The site is said to be the Vietnamese Angkor Wat. It was so cool to get to see the temples. So this evening then we went for a trad Vietnamese dinner of beef pho (noodle soup) and a chicken with lemongrass and chilli and all for less than €4 or something like that. It's so cheap over here. So we went walking aroun the city again for the evening and through all the markets checking out all the stalls. We also booked our bus ticket down to Nha Thrang for tomorrow nite.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What an amazing place
Day 5 - Hue
So today was our day off from driving. We are nearly half way down Vietnam in the city of Hue. So the plan today was simple, enjoy the city and what it has to offer but mist importantly relax and don't drive at all. So firstly we headed into the ancient citadel of Hue. It is centuries old but still massive portions remained intact since the city got UNESCO world heritage status a few years back. The citadel is huge with a ton if buildings in there. The entrance gate is the most impressive as it is just pure muscle compared to the rest. You know you're entering something important when you pass under the building. The outer Walls actually remind me if walking through the arch at Trinity college, the bustle and noise disappears once you pass through. An amazing feeling. The city is just real nice and full of nice locals who don't really hassle ya into buying stuff or offering taxis and tuk tuks every 2 seconds. We stayed in the Hue Backpackers Hostel run by te same people that run the Hanoi one and it's just as cool. We wandered aroundvthe while city and caught a but if sunshine which was a drastic change to the thunderous rain the day before but we were complaining at all. After we done the citadel it was off to the air conditioned supermarket to pick up cookies and jellies to stem the hunger and it's the first place that I have seen jellies since I left home so right away I had to have some. Then to the turtle pagoda on the hill right beside the Perfume River. It was an awesome pagoda that was 8 stories tall and real slender. Spent about an hour or so up there checking out the view of the city. So then went for some decent food before we hit the road again tomorrow.
Day 6 - Hue-Hoi An
We had heard about this part of the road from everyone we have talked to any they have all said it's indescribable. We hit the road at about 9 and we planned on taking our time as Hoi An was only 120km away from Hue so we had plenty of time to chill along the way and take it the scenery as we went. So we took the beach road instead of the highway, it was such a glourious driving road, lake in one side and the sea in the other, what more could you ask for, sunshine you say? Well that was there too, all day long. We passed through little fishing villages as we went and smite enough we pull up at a petrol station and we run into an Irish guy doin an organised tour to Saigon on a 250cc motocross bike and he called us the real bikers on our little waves. So on we rocked passing through monutains and valleys and ease and stopping and looking at the views of the countryside. Soon we started coming to the Hai Van Pass, the highest monutain pass on the highway to Ho Chi. So up the monutains we went and my god the views were spectacular. Nothing I have ever seen compares to this. It was amazing. Views back to the north and to the south. The beachs just stretching to the horizon. We kept stopping every 5 minutes to keep looking out it was that beautiful and yet we kept climbing the mountain into a massive cloud at the top. The descent then was just as beautiful with the mountains and beaches again stretching for miles out if sight. Soon we had to pass through the city of Danang and from there the world heritage sight of Hoi An lay only 30km away so we were on it's doorstep. We arrived after in the evening after having an amazing day on the road, the most amazing part of it so far. Ho Chi Minh is now only 950km away.
So today was our day off from driving. We are nearly half way down Vietnam in the city of Hue. So the plan today was simple, enjoy the city and what it has to offer but mist importantly relax and don't drive at all. So firstly we headed into the ancient citadel of Hue. It is centuries old but still massive portions remained intact since the city got UNESCO world heritage status a few years back. The citadel is huge with a ton if buildings in there. The entrance gate is the most impressive as it is just pure muscle compared to the rest. You know you're entering something important when you pass under the building. The outer Walls actually remind me if walking through the arch at Trinity college, the bustle and noise disappears once you pass through. An amazing feeling. The city is just real nice and full of nice locals who don't really hassle ya into buying stuff or offering taxis and tuk tuks every 2 seconds. We stayed in the Hue Backpackers Hostel run by te same people that run the Hanoi one and it's just as cool. We wandered aroundvthe while city and caught a but if sunshine which was a drastic change to the thunderous rain the day before but we were complaining at all. After we done the citadel it was off to the air conditioned supermarket to pick up cookies and jellies to stem the hunger and it's the first place that I have seen jellies since I left home so right away I had to have some. Then to the turtle pagoda on the hill right beside the Perfume River. It was an awesome pagoda that was 8 stories tall and real slender. Spent about an hour or so up there checking out the view of the city. So then went for some decent food before we hit the road again tomorrow.
Day 6 - Hue-Hoi An
We had heard about this part of the road from everyone we have talked to any they have all said it's indescribable. We hit the road at about 9 and we planned on taking our time as Hoi An was only 120km away from Hue so we had plenty of time to chill along the way and take it the scenery as we went. So we took the beach road instead of the highway, it was such a glourious driving road, lake in one side and the sea in the other, what more could you ask for, sunshine you say? Well that was there too, all day long. We passed through little fishing villages as we went and smite enough we pull up at a petrol station and we run into an Irish guy doin an organised tour to Saigon on a 250cc motocross bike and he called us the real bikers on our little waves. So on we rocked passing through monutains and valleys and ease and stopping and looking at the views of the countryside. Soon we started coming to the Hai Van Pass, the highest monutain pass on the highway to Ho Chi. So up the monutains we went and my god the views were spectacular. Nothing I have ever seen compares to this. It was amazing. Views back to the north and to the south. The beachs just stretching to the horizon. We kept stopping every 5 minutes to keep looking out it was that beautiful and yet we kept climbing the mountain into a massive cloud at the top. The descent then was just as beautiful with the mountains and beaches again stretching for miles out if sight. Soon we had to pass through the city of Danang and from there the world heritage sight of Hoi An lay only 30km away so we were on it's doorstep. We arrived after in the evening after having an amazing day on the road, the most amazing part of it so far. Ho Chi Minh is now only 950km away.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
HCMC is getting ever closer!
Day 3 - Thanh Hoa-Dong Hoi
So today was an early enough one but we were in the town and the plan was to get the train this evening to Dong Hoi and arrive tomorrow morning. So we went to the station on our bikes and wanted to get tickets for both us and, Harry + Sally (our bikes) but didn't work out too well as we were yet to discover. Got our tickets and they all were smiling and saying no problem but we ran and got the best feed ever, spag bol, rice, garlic bread and chips. Awesome it was. Then back to the station for the 2pm train coz they wouldn't key us take bikes on the overnight one but ah well. Got to the station and only one bike was allowed on the train so Harry came with us and poor Sally was sent on a later train that wouldn't get in till tomowwow morning. So on we got and sat out the 10 hour train journey that was only supposed to take 7. So annoying sitting on a time bench that they call a seat for 10 hours. We finally got to Dong Hoi and into a hotel for the nite. Rest time woo. Ho Chi Minh is now only 1150km away.
Day 4 - Dong Hoi-Hue
Had to get up and go to the train station to collect Sally off the train an low and behold there she was. The people at te station though had drained all the petrol out of it and also emptied the battery fluid out before they put it on the train. No idea why though coZ it's no like it would explode it anything so when I went to start it there was no life at all so the battery is now filled with water which is perfect but didn't the shits down at the station try to charge us for petrol for the bikes then even though they had stollen ours. It's so annoying how they try take advantage of you coz you are a foreigner. It's just not cool at all but it happens everywhere and nothing we can do about it. Had to go fill the bikes then again in the nearest petrol station. Then the skies opened on top of us and it was rain like I have never seen it before. It was so heavy, like somebody had suddenly turned a firehose on. It lasted like that for most of the day today. The plan was to go to a place called Dong Ha but once we got on the road at about 1pm we decided to screw it and rock on to our stop off that we had planned for tomorrow. So to Hue it was. 150km on highway 1 in the driving rain for just under 5 hours. Not bad going at all. It was such a crazy day though. Was a good day of driving and apart from the first stop at the mechanic yo get the coil replaced in Alvs bike for €6 which I reckon is pretty damn cheap for wat it is. Apart from that it was smooth sailing and arrived in Hue Backpackers Hostel right on time coz as we pulled up it was getting dark and it was starting to lash rain again. Ho Chi Minh is now only 1000km away.
So today was an early enough one but we were in the town and the plan was to get the train this evening to Dong Hoi and arrive tomorrow morning. So we went to the station on our bikes and wanted to get tickets for both us and, Harry + Sally (our bikes) but didn't work out too well as we were yet to discover. Got our tickets and they all were smiling and saying no problem but we ran and got the best feed ever, spag bol, rice, garlic bread and chips. Awesome it was. Then back to the station for the 2pm train coz they wouldn't key us take bikes on the overnight one but ah well. Got to the station and only one bike was allowed on the train so Harry came with us and poor Sally was sent on a later train that wouldn't get in till tomowwow morning. So on we got and sat out the 10 hour train journey that was only supposed to take 7. So annoying sitting on a time bench that they call a seat for 10 hours. We finally got to Dong Hoi and into a hotel for the nite. Rest time woo. Ho Chi Minh is now only 1150km away.
Day 4 - Dong Hoi-Hue
Had to get up and go to the train station to collect Sally off the train an low and behold there she was. The people at te station though had drained all the petrol out of it and also emptied the battery fluid out before they put it on the train. No idea why though coZ it's no like it would explode it anything so when I went to start it there was no life at all so the battery is now filled with water which is perfect but didn't the shits down at the station try to charge us for petrol for the bikes then even though they had stollen ours. It's so annoying how they try take advantage of you coz you are a foreigner. It's just not cool at all but it happens everywhere and nothing we can do about it. Had to go fill the bikes then again in the nearest petrol station. Then the skies opened on top of us and it was rain like I have never seen it before. It was so heavy, like somebody had suddenly turned a firehose on. It lasted like that for most of the day today. The plan was to go to a place called Dong Ha but once we got on the road at about 1pm we decided to screw it and rock on to our stop off that we had planned for tomorrow. So to Hue it was. 150km on highway 1 in the driving rain for just under 5 hours. Not bad going at all. It was such a crazy day though. Was a good day of driving and apart from the first stop at the mechanic yo get the coil replaced in Alvs bike for €6 which I reckon is pretty damn cheap for wat it is. Apart from that it was smooth sailing and arrived in Hue Backpackers Hostel right on time coz as we pulled up it was getting dark and it was starting to lash rain again. Ho Chi Minh is now only 1000km away.
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Day 1 - Hanoi-Mai Chau. 140km
So got up this morning at 4 to get out of the city before all the Hanoian traffic started. We were on the road for about 5 after gettin everything sorted and ready to go. So then plan for the day was easy, make it to a place called Mai Chau, 140km south of Hanoi for about 12pm and rest and get a good sleep before day two tomorrow. So as soon as we had left the hostel and were in the city the skies literally opened and it lashed rain so much. It came down so fast and heavy that we were soaked before we could get our ponchos out if our bags. But after that we managed to make it out of the city and onto the road no problem. The places we passes though were just simply breathtaking, high ip over monutains passes and through deep rice paddy valleys with lush green fields stretching as far as the mountains would allow. Driving that early let us seen the mountains shed their cloudy shroud and appear for the day in late morning. We were doing really good for time until we both ran out of petrol, but luckily at different times but did set us back a bit. We did make it to Mai Chau for about 1pm though and my god it's an amazing valley. Rice paddies and rivers cut the monutains into amaIbg shapes that are just beyond words. So we stayed in a hotel there for like $10 or something which was grand, just had a shower and then slept coz we were both still wrecked from the Ha Long bay tour the day before. Ho Chi Minh is now only 1580km away.
Day 2 - Mai Chau-Thanh Hoa. 180km
So woke up early coz we wanted to be on the road for 8am this morning to get a good run at the road ahead of us today, it was goin to be completely different than yesterday coz yesterday was all highways and good roads while today was the Ho Chi Minh Trail so was tight winding moubtainiois roads that we were away and hard goin both on us and the bikes. The first while was good roads but then we started hitting real remote places so the roads got rougher and rougher as we went. It so beautiful though. Have never seen a landscape so dramatic as Vietnams. It's quite simply an amazing place for mountains popping from nowhere and views slicing through the limestone to release a view through a massive valley stretching for miles. The most amazing part was driving through a stunning valley in a crazy thunder storm with rain bucketing down and there was nowhere to hide at all coz we did actually try. We done the first bit of the journey real easy but then the signs disappeared and we were driving blind. Soon the signs came back but we didn't recognise any of the place names for hours until we seen one that we did. Finally. But we took the road and it us off the HCM into a road that was so bad and this eventually lead to the worst bridge in the world, made of scrap wood and metal that we had to cross on our bikes. Talk about scary shit like. But to make it worse they expected us to pay a toll on it which we just laughed at and kept going. We were soon back on the right road but it was starting to get late so had to make good speed ahead to get to our nite time stopover in Thanh Hoa. We were on the strangiest roads in the world today but the driving itself is really easy just tough goin for doin it so long a day but luckily this was set to be one of the worst of the trip. So finally got to a hotel for the nite and got a bed and a hot shower which is an extreme luxury after 8 hours on the road and every bone in your body is aching from the terenchail rain today. Was tough goin today but we got it done. Ho Chi Minh is now 1400km away.
So got up this morning at 4 to get out of the city before all the Hanoian traffic started. We were on the road for about 5 after gettin everything sorted and ready to go. So then plan for the day was easy, make it to a place called Mai Chau, 140km south of Hanoi for about 12pm and rest and get a good sleep before day two tomorrow. So as soon as we had left the hostel and were in the city the skies literally opened and it lashed rain so much. It came down so fast and heavy that we were soaked before we could get our ponchos out if our bags. But after that we managed to make it out of the city and onto the road no problem. The places we passes though were just simply breathtaking, high ip over monutains passes and through deep rice paddy valleys with lush green fields stretching as far as the mountains would allow. Driving that early let us seen the mountains shed their cloudy shroud and appear for the day in late morning. We were doing really good for time until we both ran out of petrol, but luckily at different times but did set us back a bit. We did make it to Mai Chau for about 1pm though and my god it's an amazing valley. Rice paddies and rivers cut the monutains into amaIbg shapes that are just beyond words. So we stayed in a hotel there for like $10 or something which was grand, just had a shower and then slept coz we were both still wrecked from the Ha Long bay tour the day before. Ho Chi Minh is now only 1580km away.
Day 2 - Mai Chau-Thanh Hoa. 180km
So woke up early coz we wanted to be on the road for 8am this morning to get a good run at the road ahead of us today, it was goin to be completely different than yesterday coz yesterday was all highways and good roads while today was the Ho Chi Minh Trail so was tight winding moubtainiois roads that we were away and hard goin both on us and the bikes. The first while was good roads but then we started hitting real remote places so the roads got rougher and rougher as we went. It so beautiful though. Have never seen a landscape so dramatic as Vietnams. It's quite simply an amazing place for mountains popping from nowhere and views slicing through the limestone to release a view through a massive valley stretching for miles. The most amazing part was driving through a stunning valley in a crazy thunder storm with rain bucketing down and there was nowhere to hide at all coz we did actually try. We done the first bit of the journey real easy but then the signs disappeared and we were driving blind. Soon the signs came back but we didn't recognise any of the place names for hours until we seen one that we did. Finally. But we took the road and it us off the HCM into a road that was so bad and this eventually lead to the worst bridge in the world, made of scrap wood and metal that we had to cross on our bikes. Talk about scary shit like. But to make it worse they expected us to pay a toll on it which we just laughed at and kept going. We were soon back on the right road but it was starting to get late so had to make good speed ahead to get to our nite time stopover in Thanh Hoa. We were on the strangiest roads in the world today but the driving itself is really easy just tough goin for doin it so long a day but luckily this was set to be one of the worst of the trip. So finally got to a hotel for the nite and got a bed and a hot shower which is an extreme luxury after 8 hours on the road and every bone in your body is aching from the terenchail rain today. Was tough goin today but we got it done. Ho Chi Minh is now 1400km away.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
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