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Bangkok - The Final destination

We have 3 nights and 2 days (and a morning) to fit in as much..or as little of Bangkok as we can take. 

We already have a tour to the river Kwai booked in for day 1, which is jam packed. Firstly this is a 4 hour jounrey!! We then have a visit the war graves,a musuem, the bridge over the river kwai, train journey on the death railway, lunch, elephant riding and finally bamboo rafting.

Needless to say I was already worn out thinking about it. As Phil and me had already been to bangkok and were staying almost next door to where we did before we got our bearings pretty quickly.

We arrived a little later than planned due to the terrible traffic in Bangkok - I don't remember it being this bad before. Once dropped off we had a welcome drink from the hotel, dropped bags, freshened up and headed out for food. Our first stop was Asiatique, I mentioned this last time we came here and it was really nice and relaxing. There is a free boat up the river, which is really convenient.

We quickly found somewhere nice to eat in a street stall style place, fairly cheap, quick service and good food. Afer this we browsed the shops to get an idea of the souveniers we might want to bring home. Heading back o the last boat to the hotel as we had an early start.

6.30am and we are promptly picked up and taken across town to meet our group. Bundled into another minibus we make our way to Kanchanaburi.

Our Itinerary for the day was: war graves, a museum, the bridge over the river kwai, train journey on the death railway, lunch, elephant riding bamboo rafting

The war graves were very sobering, I didn't realise how many British prisoner of war there were and who were forced to build the railway. The museum was an odd mixture of the history of kanchanaburi and the war. with bullet casing balustrades.

We then saw the bridge over the river, which was smaller than I imagined, there were people walking all up and down the tracks so I assumed that there were trains no longer on this track...I assumed wrong. not less than 5 minutes later a large horn and a huge train followed. It stopped just before the bridge, everyone stepped aside and the train passed.

Not long after this we were taken to our own train journey, upgrading to 1st class for 50,000vnd which is about £1.80! With this came a certificate, a bottle of water and a cup of tea :)

The train journey was about 30 minutes and was very relaxing and excellent views of the river and mountains. At the end of our train journey we had lunch in a local place and i very much enjoined the deep fried omelette!

The final part of the day way Elephant Riding and Bamboo rafting. I had been on a elephant before so this wasn't as magical as the first time and the place wasn't as nice, but the elephants seems fairly free roaming and enjoyed some bananas :)

The bamboo rafting was new to me though. We did this in Phuket and we had a small raft and a guide punted us along a small river (almost a stream). This time is was the river kwai...on a large floating raft....and one person to guide the raft down the current.... we were then caught by a boat with a motor to bring us back upstream. The bamboo raft was largely underwater and although at first a little scary, I got used to it and it was quiet serene.

From here we stopped at a waterfall although they hadn't had much raifall in these parts to it wasn't much to look at.

Once arriving home we went to get Ben fitted for a suit. We went back to the same place Phil got his so we knew it was a good quality. They recommended somewhere for us to eat so we ate and then walked back to the hotel.

Day 2 was a lazy start and then we headed to Wat Po and the reclining buddah, taxi over to the suit shop for final fitting and a stop in at the unicorn cafe. The cafe was amazing, we ordered drinks and cupcakes. Though none were really to the western taste. Almost too sweet and my slushie tasted like it had vodka in it!

After a long day we headed straight to Asiatique for food and shopping, A chilled out evening, new bags and watches bought back on the boat to the hotel. We stopped in for a 'night cap' at BKK Enjoy..which turned into several cocktails meaning a late start and straight to the airport for our journey home.

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Koh Samui

Currently sat awaiting our flight to Bangkok for a couple of crazy filled daya sightseeing and shopping. Koh Samui for me was the relaxing part of the holiday and we did that well. We managed not to do aby sightseeing other than from the coach window or if you count going to the top 20 resturants on Trip Adviser in Lamai! We had a bit of a turbulent journey to get to Koh Samui and there were a few times I didn't think we'd make it! First issue was a delay at Bangkok airport, a knock on effect of this was that we missed our coach transfer to the ferry. A very speedy and helpful taxi driver got us to the ferry just in time. I went from very relieved to be on the ferry to very scarred we were going sink! The sea was a bit bumpy to say the least and there were men holding down the luggage at the front of the boat. My grip couldn't get any tighter on the seat and there were a fair few people being sick ..gross. And Phil managed to sleep through most of this! Back on dry land we get a transfer to the cottage. As we didn't go out when we arrived the next morning conisisted of finding somwhere to watch UFC and breakfast and then seeking out somewhere to spend new years eve. I spotted a place called the swing bar which had fire shows on the beach so we decided that was the place. After the ufc finished we headed back for a nap and then to the beach to read. We had dinner in the place we ate breakfast and then headed to the fire show. It was really good and there was even a guy on a water jet pack lit up flying around on the water. When the show finished we decided to find another bar as this one was pricey and we'd come back later for midnight fireworks. Ee found a nice place called Lava Lounge run by an Irish guy and his wife. We also met an Irish couple so we stayed and drank with them until almost midnight and then headed to the beach. The fireworks across the whole of samui were great. After they peatered out we went back to the Lava Lounge. At about 4am we decided to call it a night and the mile walk back across the beach to our cottage felt longer than ever!! The next few days consisted much of the same, laying on the beach, playing in the waves, finding nice places to eat and drink. We even managed to get to the jungle club...up a very steep mountain road, but the view was great. The rain seemed to be getting worse each day even though still very hot, i wasn't looking forward to the ferry ride home - flights off the island were fully booked so the ferry was the only option. The sea was quite calm when we got to the port so I was feeling better about the journey. By the time we got on the boat though the wind picked up a little and i was getting nervous. We opted to pay for an upgrade which meant we were at the top/back of the boat in a small room in comfier seats. The journey was quick 1 hour this time and uneventful in our room, which was nice. Pouring with rain when we arrived at Dansak Pier but glad to be on land we headed for our coach to the airport. In 4 hours we would be on our way to Bangko for the last leg of our adventure....

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Cambodia

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Saigon

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Cambodia -Siem Reap

The next part of our adventure took us to cambodia. The arrival of which was to a cute littlw airport...but the longest immigration and bag collection yet. Considering we already had our visa's it should have been quick. Almost an hour after landing we had two tuk tuks waiting to take us to the spring palace. The sun was shining so i was looking forwars getting the the pool. This was the luxury part of our trip. A short ride away and it did not disappoint. Drinks on arrival and a complementary scarf to shield from the heat. The room was large as well as a huge shower and balcony overlooking the pool. We booked a sunrise tour of Ankor Wat and the temples so after a quick dinner in pub street we headed to bed. 4am up to get ready and we have no electric...not too unusual here so we got ready by the light of our phones and headed to reception. There were a crowd of people outside the hotel, apparently there had been a fire in one of the blocks and they were being evacuated! Our takeaway breakfast and tuk tuk were ready...so we didn't dwell too much and carried onto the temples. The sunrise was amazing and we visited about 6 huge temples. Too much to describe so ill let the pics speak for themselves. The next evenings and days consisted of lazing by the pool, eating good food and having cocktails and a questionable visit to the gun range where the men got to shoot bug guns. All i have to say is that they were very loud! Our trip to cambodia was short but sweet. Eveything is in American Dollars so a bit pricier than expected. We ate some good food and soaked up the night life. Our final country is Thailand. First stop Koh Samui for some R&R and then to Bangkok.

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Saigon, Christmas and goodbye to Vietnam

We were sad to leave Danang and the tranquility of the infinity pool but looking forward to what Christmas delights Hi Chi Minh had to offer. We arrived at our hotel with only a small amount of confusion with the uber driver over which terminal he should pick us up from. Even though we requested early check in it wsnt possible...except if we upgraded rooms. As the upgrade was only $5 more we decided to go for it so we could stow away passports in the safe and freshen up. Refreshed we headed out to discover the town. We discovered it was much hotter here than any place we'd been before. Traffic was just as crazy as Hanoi, but there were some traffic lights which made crossing the road only slightly easier as only cars seem to obey these. We walked past the independence palace, eventually found the American Consulate and promptly got a whistle blown at us for taking photos! The british consulate was closed and no flag flying...disappointed. Next stop the Notre Dame Catheral which is a copy of the one in france abd uses only materials shipped in from France. Our final stop before heading back to the hotel was a dunkin donuts. We had a fried chicken meal which the Vietnamese seem to love and some donuts...not as sweet as back home but just as tasty. Our evening consisted of bartering at the night market, dinner at a fusion Asian ans cocktails at a cuban club. All in all a first evening. The next day was Christmas Day. The daytime was spent watching movies until early aftrnion and then onto the Vietnam War Remnants museum, mainly about the American war. alot more in English this time but just as biased. There was an exhibition on the war photographers which was the most interesting and thought provoking. As our hotel wasnt putting anything on for Christmas day we booked onto a tour in the evening. Cyclo tour of city, water puttper show and dinner on a boat. The cyclo tour was scary at first, i can only describe this as an adults pram powered by a bike. As we missed the water puppet show in Hanoi i was glad we got to see one. It was all in Vietnamese but we got the gist of it and how the puppetiers work still fancinates me. After the show it was onward to dinner, a five course meal with vietnames entertainment...Ben got dragged up to join in which he was not best pleased about but he was a good sport. We met a nice South African couple and swapped travel stories. We didn't want the night to end so we found somewhere to have a few more drinks and then headed back to our hotel. A Christmas well spent. Boxing day would be our last day in Hanoi. I found a place with pool and bar where we spent the afternoon relaxing, well needed in the heat and a busy two days. Dinner was at a place near to the hotel, the gardens all lit up light a fairy world. Very nice food, mix of western and Vietnamese. It was only 10pm when we finished and we didn't want the night to end so after some trip adviser checking went to a French wine bar for a night cap practically next to the hotel. Night cap turned into the manager and her friend chatting to us, meeting the owner, being given free Whiskey...I don't like whiskey but the guys do and they didn't want to miss out on the opportunity for free drink so I had one to be polite...the guys drinks just kept geting topped up a guitarist came to plat music to us...but conscious of our flight the next day I didn't want to be out late, almost 2am and i convince Phil to leave and we leave Ben behind....needless to say Ben didn't have a great flight! We didn't really have any plans for Hi Chi Minh so it was nice to do some touristy stuff and celebrate christmas. Next stop Siem Reap, Cambodia. We're staying in a 5* resort and I am very much looking fotward to it 😀

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DaNang

We had about an hour and half between arriving back from Haylong bay and needed to leave for Hanoi airport. Naturally we opted to go to the spa for an hour. I chose an upper body massage and a hot stone treament for my feet. The hot stones were very nice, but i was a bit ambitious on the pain level for my massage... I opted for 7, which in hindsight was too high. The majority of the massage was nice and relaxing, but at cetain points it felt like my muscles were being torn apart. Typically British of me I didn't mention this and when asked if happy...i just said yes. Massages over we catch a taxi to the airport and we are on our way to Denang. Due to flying2 ib late and leaving early we only have 2 full days in Denang.  Denang is on the east coast of Vietnam and the beach stretches for miles. We spent an hour or so in the pool and enjoying the smog free sunshine beforw heading for our sightseeing. First stop was the Marble Mountains. Huge mountains which appear from no where jutting into the landscape. There are several caves and grotts dedicated to Hindu and Buddhist saints. 500 or so steps late and a bit of scrambling through caves we reaches the top and the 360 view of sea and city was amazing. After some souvenir shopping we got anothet taxi to the vietnamese war museum. This was actually on a Military base so after some very strong milkless tea with the gate keeper we were allowed in. Before getting to denang I didn't know too much about the Vietnamese war with America but I left feeling very educated. The museum charted all wars in Vietnam but ended with a large section about the USA invading south Vietnam. That is how the government portray it. The pictures and accounts are totally uncensored and brutal at times. I can away thinking how terrible the Americans acted and why did they come in when seemingly no one wanted them there...fast forward to dinner at Tams surf shop and it was all a very different story. I couldn't say how old Tam is, but she was in her early teens from what what i can work out when the Americans turned up in DeNang. She would hang around the US soliders who would give her candy and she would learn english from them. Her english was theb good enough that she would be an interpreter for army doctors when they visited the local villages to give aid. She often got drinks and cigarettes for soliders in the mountains and became friends with them later staying in the compound and doing several jobs for them. Tam talked for hours about her experiences abd had nothing but praise and admiration for the young American soliders trying to save the south from the northern communists, and she cooks a mean burger! Our second day in denang was much more sedate. More relaxing by the pool, I went for a run along the beach (only 3km but i couldn't manage much more in the humid 30 degrees heat) - I got aome strange looks. The guys found a beach bar to have a drink whilst waiting for me. We then went back to our rooms for a shower, pack up in readiness for our early start and headed to Hoi An for the evening. Hoi An is 30 minutes for Denang and is full of old houses and much busier. We strolles around the night market picking up some more bargain souvenirs and found somewhere to eat along the water front. We've not had a bad meal yet and I've tries so many different dishes. Occasional I'll have a burger because there is only so much noodles and rice you can have when it is on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. After dinner we headed to a spa. The guys opted for 60 minute foot massage and I had a manicure and pedicure. Hoi An is quiet lively so we decided to head to one of the bars for cocktails...its was too lively for ya though, loud muisc and 20 something back packers eating each others faces off was apparently too much for us. After drink we headed back to the taxi stop and back to pur hotel. Up at 6am to pack the last of our bits and breakfast at 6.30. We were checked out and in a taxi by 7.10 and on the plan at 7.40, what a morning. The flight to Ho Chi Minh is only an hour so we'll soon be in another hotel. 3 full days this time for some Christmas Merriment!

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Hanoi and Haylong bay

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Hanoi To Haylong Bay

So…this is the second attempt at this…i was writing up on the plane (on airplane mode) when the attendant told me to turn my phone off. I saved to draft…but lo and behold it was not there when i turned my phone back on so this will be even briefer than before as writing on a smart phone is slightly tedious.

Day 1. We arrived in Hanoi early morning. Our room surprisingly wasn’t ready so we left our bags and headed off to explore. We visited Hoan Kiem lake, temple on the lake and saw the turtle temple. Hanoi is super busy, so when we saw the roads around the lake were shut off we saw this as an opportune time to have a wander without fear of being run over.

We were acosted by groups of children ranging from 4 to 15 asking of they could practice thier English on us. We were happy to oblige, although they didn’t always understand our answers- such as roasting meat in an oven! After several encounters and some photos we headed for a drink to cool down.

Hanoi is deceptively warm. The smog is pretty bad so you don’t see the sun, but you can feel it. By this time we decided to head back to the hotel to check in. Our rooms were still not really but seeing werl were so tired the manager moved us to the sister hotel a stones’ throw away.

After napping we headed out for food and some drinks. Dinner was about 70p very tasty and a bargain.

Day 2 -The next day was in the same vein, sight seeing - Ho Chi Minh museum and Moseluem and west lake temple and turtle watching. We found a random place to eat where you cook your food on a small gas stove. We were a little off the beaten track so not surw of the meat but we just pointed to what others were eating…it looked good and it tasted good too.

Another nap and another evening wandering around Hanoi old quarter. We ended up eating dinner at Chops, a new burger and craft beer place, right up Phil’s street.

Day 3 - probably the highlight of the trip was our trip to Haylong Bay. The plan was to stay on a junk over night with kayaking and swimming in the day. We waited at 8am as advises but no transport by 8.30. The hotel called the tour company, and we are advised they are coming..but they are stuck in traffic..not surprising in Hanoi.

A taxi finally arrives 45 lates to take us to the coach. Three and a half hours later we arrive at haylong bay, still smoggy but perfectly warm andamazing. We eat some amazing food and plently of it! Days spent kayakinf, swimming and exporing caves arw met with glorious blue sky and sunshine as we make out way back after 24 hours on board. Pur trip is made especially better as our trip was upgraded from a 3 to 5 star!!

Once back in Hanoi we head for a massage and onto the airport to Denang.

Next time some pics and what we got upto in Danang.

B

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Hanoi! Day 1 - Report to come

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Travel as much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place

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I'll try not to bombard you all with awesome pics of our adventure. But if you are interested in where we are and if we get there in one piece you can follow my blog 😊

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Packing take 2. Upsized my bag.

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Travel as much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can. Life's not meant to be lived in one place

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We are off again!

In two weeks time we head off to Vietnam for a 3 week adventure ending in Bangkok - this time we will get to the River Kwai and I have already booked in the tour. After a couple of failed attempts last year by trying to get ther ourselves, I decided we would be better off on a tour. We’ll get to see a few other things too which we hadn’t planned - like waterfalls. But it’s super cheap and a door to door service.

The plan for the 3 weeks is;

Hanoi - 2 nights

Haylong Bay - 1 night

Da Nang - 3 nights

Ho Chi Minh -  3 nights

Siem Reap -  3 nights

Koh Samui - 5 nights

Bangkok - 3 nights

We’ll be flying with Vietnam airways from T5 Heathrow so a new terminal and airline to discover!

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Places we stayed

Bangkok- Chatrium Sathorn Phuket; Nai Yang- Ryan Mai beach Patong- Royal Palm Beach Phi Phi- Tohko Beach Krabi- Apasari Krabi, Ao Nang