Vietnam- the intrepid tour

I didn't really register quite how far behind I had fallen... its abit daunting now trying to fill in the gaps on what I've been doing the past 3 weeks or so...

Our trip from Cambodia into Vietnam was relatively simple- we got VIP treatment at the overland border so simply sped through and our HUGE bag of snacks me and Anina had grabbed from the supermarket kept us going! On arrival in Ho Chi Minh we went and had a look around the market. Our final group dinner was really sad as all 16 of us had got on really well (amazing really!) we ate out at a street stall then headed to a bar till late where they were playing live music (quite a long day...) Cocktails here are awesome and relatively cheap so we tried some of them out (favourite still has to be the Pina Colada!)

The next day was "in between tours" as such- had a wander round the city looking at sights such as the reunification palace. Had the traditional pancakes and pineapple shake for breakfast... Me and Anina kept up that tradition basically the whole tour! It's amazing how different chocolate pancakes can be... you never know what you are going to end up with! The traffic has to be the worst in the whole of Vietnam- motos zoom past continuously so the only way to cross the road is to walk slowly across and hope they go round you!

Then it was my BIRTHDAY!!! We headed down the the Mekong Delta- had to go on 2 boats but I survived!! We went on a cycle ride round local villages (bikes were a tad dodgy...) went to a candy workshop (with free samples!) fruit tasting, saw them making bricks and salt (unbelievably hard work and some were younger than me...) and had a go at weaving mats! Then we wandered through a village, where we were followed by some of the local kids and stared at (not many tourists went to this area) , to our homestay. Hung out in a hammock for abit, mine was in a rather dangerous position over the river, then had a local meal and they had candles and flowers for me- as well as beer and rice wine. The rice wine is INCREDIBLY strong... the locals got out their guitars and played and sang some traditional songs (as well as Happy birthday of course!) In return we sang a rather tuneless version of twinkle twinkle little star...

(am hoping the below makes sense- is now 5 in the morning- sld probably head back to bed soon but have finally got on the internet so just trying to sort everything out- and catch up on my blog which is SERIOUSLY far behind... so here we go...!)

Then we headed back to Ho Chi Minh and caught the overnight train to Nha Trang- CAKE PARTY!! Had another birthday celebration with CHEESECAKE!! MMMM

Decided against going on the boat trip the following day (waves were huge and am really not a great fan of boats now...) I headed the wrong way (due to my amazing sense of direction) so ended up paying a moto driver to take me back to the beach... and being the only westerner (since i was on the wrong side of town) meant I got chatted up by local guys- quite entertaining!
Me and Anina found the most AMAZING bar ever and stayed there for hours (Bar why not) Then decided to go out and we managed to get free drinks and played connect 4 (got worse as the evening went on!) Then we went back to the why not bar and met some guys who claimed to be amazing breakdancers- one of them fell of the chair trying to demonstrate!

Went to the mud baths- was the only one who got completely covered in mud as I decided I might as well- looked so funny! (am now being cleaned around by a guard who obv thinks I'm a complete mental!) Went back to the why not bar again- as literally why not?! Then got the overnight train to Hoi An and tried out the squat toilet- quite interesting when the train is moving...!

In Hoi An got measured for tailoring and spent the next few days going back for fittings every so often... got winter coat, dresses and shoes- so fun! Literally you showed them a picture, chose the exact material and they made it for you... In the meantime we went on a trip to the Myson ruins- had the most amazing military style funny guide, was amazingly beautiful and I got to go in an old US army car... Went to the same restaurant quite a few times and got to know the owners so got free gum- was so funny one time as someone near us ended up being sold 12 whistles by a saleslady! (I think you had to be there- hard to explain) Went on a bike ride round local villages and crossed a rather dodgy bamboo bridge that literally felt like it was going to break beneath your feet! It was here me and Anina got the hats and they started their perilous journey south- both are currently still alive- and we have FAB photos of them the whole way up Vietnam...
I really love going out to eat for every meal and paying people to do my laundry for me- and it isnt even like I'm being lazy as theres no laundrettes or kitchens!

Then we went to Hue- on the way we stopped off at Marble mountain, china beach and travelled along windy roads on a really pretty pass (and I didnt feel travel sick- wooo!) We went to the Citadel once in Hue and saw the forbidden purple city! Went to a random restaurant down a back alley- only westerners- one of the customers had to help translate and we ended up watching the footy there! Then had another cake party- oh yes! and watched a strange french film...
Did a great motobike trip- I LOVE motorbikes- another thing I have to learn to do when I get back as would be amazing to travel up Vietnam on a motorbike- have met quite a few people that are doing that! Gave balloons to these kids in a village and was hugged by a random lady... Saw the perfume river, tomb, tiger arena, pagoda- all v pretty... Then we hit the town!! Chatted and danced with the DJ, played jenga, got stalked by a cycloman, supported the beating of an arrogant guy at pool, was taught vietnamese style clubbing and danced with a cute vietnamese guy in the centre of the dancefloor- something I never thought I would have the guts to do...

Went to Hanoi on another overnight train- Vietnamese people had attempted to steal my bed! Was a hard sleeper this time so there were 3 bunks up :O Had another CAKE PARTY! (because we could) and locals tried to charge me everytime I went to the toilet for a joke and I got chatting to them- not that we understood each other that well!

Right am abit more up to date than I was but am starting to fall asleep- more updates to come soon!!