Round The World in 777 Days

Monday, November 09, 2009

Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia

Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia - 9th November 2009

Today we decided to by a Hop On - Hop Off bus pass, so we can travel around the city and see all the sites. We paid 38 Ringgut each and got our tickets, once on the bus our vouchers were exchanged for tickets, but they gave us child tickets and after an arguement they said it does not matter just take these. This prompted the conductors to ask if us if we were students everytime we got on the bus, obviously some sort of scam going on, but we got around all day without any problems. We first stopped at the Kuala Lumput Sky Tower, which the brochuce says is 20 ringgut to go up, but once we get to the cashier they charge 38 ringutt each and you get lots of freebie's included like a formula one simulator and wildlife tour etc. which we did not want.

The Kuala Lumpur Sky Tower

So in the end we did not go up the tower as I refused to pay double what the brochure stated for stuff we did not want to do. The next stop on the bus for us was the Royal Palace, we stopped outside and had a few photos taken, but that was as close as we could get.

Guard Outside The Royal Palace

Me Outside The Royal Palace

So on the bus again and this time we headed to The National Museum, this was only 2 ringgut and was very intetestng but full of hundreds of screaming school children running around which made it difficult to read anything. So we only spend an hour here.

The National Museum

Outside Of The National Museum

A Wooden Dragon Head

An Old Train

We then got back on the bus,by this time the rain was on again so we did almost a full loop on the bus and got off at Bukit Nana's and had a wander around the area looking for some food. We eventually found a restaurant and had something to eat then wandered around the shops and markets.

Kuala Lumpur

The latest trend here is Fish Spa's where you pay to put your feet in fish tanks and the fish nibble all the dead skin on your feet.

Fish Spa

We then got the train back to the hotel.

Heading off to the Malaysian island of Langkawi tomorrow so not sure if I'll have internet access, so maybe no updates for a few days.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 8th November 2009

Early morning as had to queue from 7:45am at The Patronis Towers to try and get tickets by 9am we had tickets for a 9:30am visit to the sky bridge. We had a breif look around the exhibition before our group was called, we entered the elevator which takes 40 seconds to get to the 41st floor.

The Elevator Buttons

We had 15 minutes to walk around, admire the view and take photos from the bridge.

Me on The Patronis Towers Skydeck

View From Skydeck

Jill And I on Skydeck

The Patronis Towers Skydeck

Roof Of KLCC

KLCC Fountains

View Down From Skydeck

KLCC Gardens

We then had to head back down and had more time at the exhibition. The view is lovely and a great experience and it's free.

We then had a walk around the gardens.

KLCC Gardens

Kuala Lumpur Skyline

Reflection Of Jill And I and Patronis Towers

Me Outside The Patronis Towers

Reflection In Lake

We stopped for some food before heading back to the hotel for swim.

Jill By The Hotel Pool

In the afternoon we caught a train to Pasar Seni and then had a walk along the river to the Dataran Merdeka which is an area with fantastic architecture and a 200ft flagpole.

Klang River

Kuala Lumpur

Fountain by Flagpole

Sky Tower

The Oldest Church In Kuala Lumpur

The Lamposts

Dataran Merdeka

Jill In Dataran Merdeka

Dataran Merdeka

From here we walked over to china town and Petaling Street, which is where the street markets are, lots of fake clothes, watches and DVD's are found here.

Petaling Street

Petaling Street

Stopped for a cold beer and and some food before catching a train home.

A Few Cold Beers

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia

Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia - 7th November 2009

Kualu Lumpur is much cleaner than I expected, I thought it would be more dirty like Bangkok, but at least the area we are in is more like Singapore in it's cleansliness. Today we explored the area around the the Patronis towers, there is a huge shopping mall under it called KLCC (Kualu Lumpur City Centre), To go up the Patronis towers to the skydeck is free but there are a very limited number of tickets available. 40 per 15 minutes from 9am - 8pm, so you need to queue early in the morning to get a time slot and the return at your allocated time, all sold out for today.

Me Outside The Patronis Towers

The Fountains At Front Of Patronis Towers

The Patronis Towers

Bridge Between Patronis Towers

We then walked up to the tourist information centre which used to be the british army base in the second world war and the original site of the Malaysian Parliment. There does not seem to be much to do as a tourist if your not interested in shoping. Next to the tourist information is a chocolate factory which was free to visit and had the most fantastic displays made of chocolate.

Chocolate Dragons

Tourist Centre

Cart Outside Tourist Centre

Next we took the monorail a couple of stops to Bukit Bintang.

Kualu Lumpur Monorail

Had a walk around Bukit Bintang, not a lot except shops here, so stopped for a quiet beer and enjoying watching the lively streets.

Bukit Bintang

Started to walk back to the hotel and as we got to the Patronis Towers, the heavens opened and a massive downpour and thunderstorm started. The Patronis Towers were struck by lightning as we were standing next to them, it was so bright and loud. We too shelter and waiting before finally braving the last 200 metre dash to the hotel. Ventured out again in the evening and found an indonesian resturant fr some food.

The Patronis Towers

The Patronis Towers At Night

Melbourne - Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia

Melbourne - Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia - 6th November 2009

So it's been a while but have been living in Australia for the last 30 months, was in Perth for 2 years and then moved to Melbourne.

Finally had a chance to leave Australia and continue exploring the world.

Took an afternoon flight from Melbourne to Kualu Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, flight was fantastic, with good food and entertainment which made the 8 hour flight go quickly. Arrived in Kualu Lumpur at 8:40pm and got grabbed by the first Taxi tour trying to get us to go in his Taxi for only 5 times the cost of a normal Taxi, luckily we are now used to these scams and said no and found a normal taxi 74.20 ringgut to the city which is over an hour drive. We are staying at the Corus Hotel, which is sufficent but a bit dated, it's location is grea right opposite the Patronis Towers. Had a little walk up and down the street when we arrived, very hot and humid at 31 C.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Day 1035 – Siem Reap - Bangkok, Thailand

Day 1035 – 7th April 2008 +6:00 GMT

Had to check out the hotel and get a taxi to the airport, we caught the Bangkok airlines flight from Siem Reap back to Bangkok. The flight was just under an hour on another ATR 72 and we even got a nice meal on board.

Me By Our Bangkok Air Aeroplane

Leaving Siem Reap

Jill And I Onboard

View From Plane Window

When we arrived back in Bangkok we had to clear immigration and customs and then we got a taxi back to Siam City Hotel in the centre of Bangkok. We checked in and went to get some food at the hotel. After a short rest we got a taxi to the Khaosan Road where we wandered around the shops and stalls and had some food and beer.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Day 1034 – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 1034 – 6th April 2008 +6:00 GMT

Had a lie in and then a fine breakfast at the hotel. We then got a tuk tuk into the town centre and had a walk around the shops and old market.

Siem Reap

The Old Market

We stopped at the temple bar for a drink and then visited the Dead Fish Bar and Restaurant which used to be a crocodile farm so they still have a crocodile pit and you can go and feed them while having a beer.

Angkor What The First Pub In Town

Me With An Angkor Beer

Crocodiles

A Lizard

The rest of the day was spent around the hotel gardens and in the jungle pool.

Our Tuk Tuk And Driver

A Lizard In Hotel Garden

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Day 1033 – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 1033 – 5th April 2008 +6:00 GMT

A very early morning up at 5am and straight into a taxi which we had hired for the day with the driver for just $25 and off we headed to Angkor Wat. Now Angkor is one if the seven modern wonders of the world and is about 10 km South of Siem Reap, It was built between the 9th and 13th Century and had a population of over a million when London had just 50,000. It is a collection of over 850 buildings and was the capital of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer empire. We arrived at Angkor and bought our day pass for $20, we had to get a photo taken which is printed on the ticket. We then headed to Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise over the most famous of the temples. We walked over the moat and through the first building and sat and waited for the sun to rise.

Angkor Wat At 5am

Sun Rising Over Angkor Wat

Me At Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Flowers in Angkor Wat Moat

We than took a walk around the Temple buildings and then jumped back into the taxi and visited Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom is a walled area made up of several buildings the main being Bayon, also within the walls are Preah Palilay, Phineanakas, Terrace Of The Leper King, Terrace Of Elephants, Baphuon and Beng Thom.

Bayon

Baphuon

Phineanakas

Wall Of Angkor Thom

Terrace Of Elephants

Ruins In Angkor Thom

We walked around each of the buildings and then sat down and had a drink. We then got back in the taxi went to Chau Say Tevoda and then onto Thommanon.

Victory Gate

Chau Say Tevoda

Thommanon

Thommanon

Next was Ta Keo and then we had a walk through Ta Prohm, the archaeologist team was working on Ta Prohm as it has many trees growing out of the ancient Temple.

Ta Keo

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm

We then drove to Bat Chum which is another temple to walk through and lastly we visited Banteay Samre.

Bat Chum

Banteay Samre

It was now about 10:30am and it was so hot we decided to go back to the hotel to swim, eat and sleep.

Jill In The Jungle Pool

We got up and headed back to Angkor Wat at 4pm to have another look around with better light, we walked around the entire grounds

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Then we got the taxi to Phnom Bakheng which is at the top of a hill, you can get an elephant to take you to the top or you can walk. We walked to the top and as with all the other temples you had lots of very very steep steps to climb to get to the top of the temple. Here we sat and waited for the sun to set.

Elephants At Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng

Unfortunately it was too cloudy and the sun disappeared from site long before it was due to set, so we walked back down and got the taxi to drop us of in the centre of Siem Reap. We had a walk around the shops and then stopped for an Indian and some beer before getting a tuk tuk back to the hotel for the night.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Day 1032 – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 1032 – 4th April 2008 +6:00 GMT

Went out for breakfast to a local bakery and then checked out of the hotel.

The Pavillion Hotel

The Pavillion Hotel

We caught a Tuk Tuk to the airport, we were going to travel by boat but due to the water level being too low we decided to fly. We flew with Siam Reap airlines and we had a very easy flight on an ATR 72 aircraft even had a meal during the 35 minutes in the air.

Me By Our Plane

Arriving At Siem Reap

When we landed we collected out bags and got a taxi to the River Garden Hotel. The hotel is a 9 room boutique hotel surrounded by trees and ponds and has a jungle pool. We have a large room with a huge balcony. The staff are so friendly and it feels like we have butler service.

Our Room At River Garden Hotel

Our Private Balcony

The Jungle Pool

We got a tuk tuk into the town centre and had a wander around the market and the shops. There is a modern street in the centre of town called Bar Street which as the name suggests is full of bars.

Alleyway Next To Bar Street In Siem Reap

Me With A Local Angkor Beer

We had some dinner and then headed back to the Hotel for the night.

Friday, April 04, 2008

Day 1031 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Day 1031 – 3rd April 2008 +6:00 GMT

Had breakfast at hotel then we hired a Tuk Tuk driver for the day and headed out to the Killing Fields which is 15km south west of the city. We had our first traffic jam on route a water buffalo had jack-knived and there were horn everywhere which blocked the road, the police spent 20 minutes sorting out the traffic and then we were on our way through the villages.

Phnom Phen Monument

Water Buffalo Pulling Cart

Water Buffalo

Three On Bike With Luggage

Paddy Rice Fields

Cambodian People Party

The city is made up of the very rich and the very poor, there are many large 4 story buildings with wooden shacks behind them. We arrived at the Killing Fields which is the Genocide Centre.

Chueung Ek Genocidal Centre

If you don’t know the recent history of Cambodia here it is: After the 2nd World War Cambodia had no university’s and only one secondary school. From 1969 Cambodia was sucked into the Vietnam war and was carpert bombed by America. Fighting only stopped when Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge which Pol Pot was the leader. Pol Pot then decided to wipe out the country’s culture and any people he felt threaten the country these included all peasants, workers, technicians, engineers, doctors, teachers, students, Buddhist monks, ministers and soldiers of all rank. He thought anyone who wore glasses or could speak a foreign language was a parasite and they were immediately killed, over 2 million people were tortured and then murdered for no reason, this was 20% of the country’s population. It was men, women, children even new born babies were murdered. If you were going to be murdered he wanted to wipe out your entire family, so your spouse and all your children would also be murdered. The killing fields were where they brought truck loads of people each day and beat them to death with hoe’s, cane’s and anything else they had to hand. People were even buried alive, if they had not died from the torture. Over 300 people a day were brought to this site to die. The bodies were just tossed into mass graves and left. The Buddhist people believe that if you are not given a proper burial then you will not go to an afterlife and this still worry’s the victims family’s today.
The first thing you see when you enter the grounds is a huge pagoda and as you get close to it you see the inside is layered with shelves full of skulls and the bottom is the remains of the clothing from the victims.

Pagoda Of Skulls

Shelves Of Human Skulls

Killing Fields

They have retrieved almost 9000 sets of bones from the site and many thousands are still lying buried. As you walk around you pass graves marked as Mass Grave of victims with no heads and mass graves of women and children etc. It is a very disturbing place in a country that has probably suffered the most in the last 40 years.

The Killing Fields - Graves

Grave Of Headless Victims

Killing Tree

Unidentified Bones

We then got the Tul Tuk to Tuol Sleng Prison known as S 21 (Security Area 21). This used to be a school, but Pol Pot took over it and made it into a holding and torturing facility for the Phnom Penh people.

Tuol Sleng Prison

Info At Tuol Sleng Prison

Tuol Sleng Prison

The first building was used as a torture room and each of the ground floors classrooms became torture chambers. The second building had the first and second floor made into tiny cells only measuring 0.8m x 2.0m, the third floor was used as collective cells were prisoners were kept in large numbers. Each person was photographed and then tortured and forced to write a confession then trucked off to be murdered. Out of the 20’000 people brought to the prison only 7 survived. The have photo’s on display of some of the victims brought through the prison and many photos of the dead after they had been tortured. A room houses skulls and you can see where they have been shot or bludgeoned to death. It is a truly horrifying place where the most atrocious acts of torture have taken place.

Graves Of Last 14 Killed At Tuol Sleng Prison

Tuol Sleng Prison

Brick Cells At Tuol Sleng Prison

Wooden Cells At Tuol Sleng Prison

A Torture Room At Tuol Sleng Prison

A Cell At Tuol Sleng Prison

Human Skulls At Tuol Sleng Prison

Human Skulls Recovered Still Blindfolded

Tuol Sleng Prison

We then got the Tuk Tuk to drop us off at the river front and we had a walk along the river and stopped at a restaurant for some food. It is so hot here in the high 30’s and a dry heat so we need lots of water.

Petrol Station In Cambodia

We then had a walk along the river.

River Tonle Sap In Phnom Penh

We Then walked to the National Museum, the building is lovely but the contents of the museum was a bit disappointing it had lots of stone Buddha statues from the 5th – 7th Century and that was about it. A few artifacts here and there but not much information on them or on the history of the country. The courtyard was lovely but that is the most that can be said about the place.

The National Museum

Courtyard Of The National Museum

Me In Courtyard Of The National Museum

Courtyard Of The National Museum

We left and walked over to the Royal Palace where the king lives.

The Royal Palace

Throne Room Of The Royal Palace

Napoleon III Building

The Royal Palace

Only part of the palace was open today and we had a walk around the grounds and into a few of the buildings and temples onsite. The Palace is amazing to look at but other than walking around and looking at the buildings there is not much more onsite to do.

The Royal Palace

Jill At The Royal Palace

Model Of Angkor Wat At The Royal Palace

So we left and walked back to the hotel where I had a much needed swim. We went out again in the evening to a restaurant called Free Bird the food was great and we sampled the local Anchor beer.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Day 1030 – Ho Chi Minh – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Day 1030 – 2nd April 2008 +6:00 GMT

Another early morning, checked out the hotel and was picked up by coach at 8am. The coach on had a dozen people on it and we were all headed to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. After about 2 ½ hours we reached the border and the coach driver took our passports and money and went to sort out the visa’s while we all cleared customs.

My Cambodian Visa

Once through we stopped for about 20 minutes and then carried on to Phnom Penh.

Our Coach At The Border

On route in Cambodia we saw many unusually sites, like bikes and trucks with hundreds of chickens attached to them, we also had to go ona car ferry across the Neak Luong River.

The Roads In Cambodia

Truck Of Chickens

We arrived just before 3pm and checked into our hotel we had some food from the bar and sat next to the pool. After a few hours rest we went out to get some food and found a Tapas bar just around the corner, the food was good. We then went and booked a ferry from Phnom Penh to Siam Reap only to get told half an hour later that the water level was too low and it had been cancelled. So we went on the internet and booked a flight.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Day 1029 – Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Day 1029 – 1st April 2008 +6:00 GMT

Had to get up early as we had booked to go and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on an organised tour. We were picked up at 8am by a minibus and were driven for about an hour then we stopped at a Handicapped town where all the handicapped people work making crafts. They create pictures using cut up sea shells or eggshells. They then decorate pots and pretty much anything with these complicated designs using hundreds of thousands of bits of eggshell. It quite amazing the detail that goes into each item.

The Handicapped Centre

We carried on in the minibus which was full of Irish and Canadians until we reached the Cu Chi Tunnels. Now the Cu Chi Tunnels are tunnels that were dug by the Vietnamese to hide from the French and then the Americans from the 1950’s to late 1970’s Over 250km of tunnels were dug and they were at three heights the first being 4m underground the 2nd 6 metres and the 3rd 10 metres. The entrances were only 20cm x 40cm and had wooden covers and then covered over with leaves.

An Entrance To The Cu Chi Tunnels

Entering The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels

Me Entering The Cu Chi Tunnels

Over 16000 people live underground many for over 2 years at a time. They built schools, hospitals and meeting rooms etc all underground. Many of the tunnels entrances had traps which mostly involved long metal spikes or sharpened bamboo.

A Trap In The Cu Chi Tunnels

A Door Trap

Hidden Trap

We were given a guided tour of the area and all allowed to drop into one of the tunnels through the tiny holes, then we were shown all the traps which were all very clever and laid all over the jungles. There are several bomb craters and a destroyed American tank onsite.

A Destroyed American Tank

We were then given an opportunity to fire some machine guns, AK47 or M60’s etc but this was extra money so Jill and I did not bother. Now it was time for us to crawl along the tunnels. The tunnels we were allowed to crawl along were widened slightly but still they were only about 50 cm wide and 60cm high. We crawled or scotched along for 100 metres going up and down, mostly in the pitch dark as lights were few and far apart. Doing this kills the muscles in the thighs...

Me In The Cu Chi Tunnels

Jill In The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels

Cross Section Showing The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Bomb Making Room

One Of The Rooms Which Would Have Been Underground

We lastly watched a video on the area and then we got the minibus back to the hotel. We grabbed some food and then had a nap. We headed out in the evening for some food and then caught a taxi to teh other side of town to pick up Jill’s tailor made dress.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Day 1028 – Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Day 1028 – 31st March 2008 +6:00 GMT

Had a walk around the city, went to the Reunification Palace but got there just after 11am it it is shut from 11am – 1pm so we stood outside and took a few photos then had a walk up to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Statue In Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Park

Ho Chi Minh City

Reunification Palace

Notre Dame Cathedral

We then visited the old post office and then walked along Dong Khoi which is the shopping and dining road.

The Old Post Office

Inside The Old Post Office

The Opera House

We had some food then took a walk along the river and Jill got fitted for a dress which she wants made. We then visited Ben Thanh Market which is a building holding hundreds and hundreds of stalls, selling the usual crafts and clothes.

Jill In Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon River

Boat On Saigon River

The Market

We then went back to the hotel for a siesta. In the evening we had a walk around Pham Ngu Lao area which is where we were staying, we got some Mexican food here also. Ho Chi Minh city is much nicer than Hanoi and is more western it has a much in the way of shops and restaurants. It has a population of around 6 million although it is not capital.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Day 1027 – Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Day 1027 – 30th March 2008 +6:00 GMT

Had yet another great breakfast at hotel and checked out the hotel at 12pm and got a taxi to the station for our last leg of the train around the 1650 km coast of Vietnam.

Jill At Train Station

Our Train

We were in a 4 berth carriage again and the journey was fine, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh former Saigon at around 9pm and we checked into our hotel Duc Vuong. We had a walk around the area which is in District 1 and had some food and looked in a few shops before collapsing for the night.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Day 1026 – Nha Trang, Vietnam

Day 1026 – 29th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

Had a very lazy morning, went for a swim and lazed by the pool, in the afternoon we collected our washing and had a drink in a cafe by the waterfront. We watched the sunset from the skybar where we had a few cocktails and then in the evening we ate at the hotel and that was about it.

Sunrise Hotel

Sunrise Pool

View From Skybar

Jill In Skybar

View Of Pool

View From Skybar

Jill and I With Cocktails In Skybar

View From Skybar

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Day 1025 – Nha Trang, Vietnam

Day 1025 – 28th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

Had a fantastic buffet breakfast at the hotel and then went for a walk along the waterfront, it is so hot and humid here. The town is not really made up of anything, lots of hotels and guesthouses but not really any shops. We walked back along the beach and when we arrived at the hotel we lay on the sun loungers on the hotels private part of the beach and had a beer and I went for a swim in the sea.

View From Our Balcony

Nha Trang Beach

Our Hotel The Sunrise

Nha Trang Beach

Sweeping Our Beach

Jill On Beach

We then went and had a siesta and then walked back into the town to drop off our washing.
In the evening we caught a taxi to an Indian Restaurant which was really good and the first place where I have been forced to sign the guestbook before they will let me pay. We then went to the Louisane Brewing Company for a beer. After the drinks we walked back to the hotel.

Me At Louisane Bew House

Our Hotel

Friday, March 28, 2008

Day 1024 – Hoi An - Nha Trang, Vietnam

Day 1024 – 27th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

Had breakfast at the hotel and then caught a taxi back to Danang and got on the train. This time we were in a four berth soft sleeper carriage. Although there were actually five in our carriage.

Jill On Train

Me On Train

The journey was about 10 ½ hours to Nha Trang. We arrived and got a taxi to the Sunrise Hotel which is another 5 star hotel, our last treat of the holiday. We had a lovely room with a balcony that looks over the south china sea. We went had a drink and a snack in the Irish Bar before calling it a night.

Our Room At The Sunrise

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Day 1023 – Hoi An, Vietnam

Day 1023 – 26th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

Had a quiet morning in the hotel and then got the 11am shuttle into Hoi An town. We had a walk around all the temples and buildings of interest including the old bridge. In Hoi An you buy a single ticket and that allows you into all the historical buildings and temples.

Hoi An

Old Bridge Hoi An

Hoi An

We had a nice walk along the river and had a drink in a riverside bar. Then caught the shuttle back to the hotel. I had a swim and lay around by the pool and read my book for most of the afternoon and then we went back into the town for an evening meal.

Golden Sands Pool

Jill On The Beach

Golden Sands Beach

We ate at Tam Tam’s again and sat out on the balcony overlooking the street. We headed back to the hotel and watched TV for a few hours before sleeping. Just as I was going to bed I noticed we had no water in the bathroom, so used bottled water to clean my teeth and went to sleep. At 2am we heard this loud high pitched screeching coming from the bathroom. I phoned reception who sent someone up to look at it, but as soon as they arrived it stopped, then 5 minutes later once they had gone it started again. This carried on four or five times and then the hotel said they would move us to a new room, by this time it was 3am and we were booth very tired.

Jill With A Beer In Hoi An

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Day 1022 – Hoi An, Vietnam

Day 1022 – 25th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

Woke up at 6am after a reasonably nights sleep, only woke up a couple of times on the bumpy train. The four year old was running round all morning like crazy and kept grabbing onto Jill and I. We arrived at Danang station just after 11am, the last 2 hours of the journey had spectacular scenery as the train followed the coast.

Vietnam Coast From Train

Back Of Our Train

Front Of Our Train

We got a taxi to our hotel which was about 40 minutes away near the Town of Hoi An. The hotel was lovely the five star Swiss-Bel Golden Sands Resort.

Swiss-Bel Golden Sands Resort.

It has a 150m Infinity pool which runs between the front of the hotel beach. The rooms are lovely and very comfortable.

The Hotel Infinty Pool

Our Room

We had some food at the hotel restaurant and then had a nap. In the afternoon I went for a swim and sat around in the Jacuzzi. About 6pm we got a taxi into the centre of Hoi An and had a wander around the streets. The town is beautiful and is made up almost entirely of art galleries and tailors, the area is famous for it’s silk. We found a nice restaurant called Tam Tam and I had the Hoi An local dish which is fish steamed in banana leaves and it was fantastic. We had another walk around then got a taxi back to the hotel.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Day 1021 – Hanoi - Danang, Vietnam

Day 1021 – 24th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

I had a walk into the old quarter and around Lake Hoan Kiem. I went to pick order some train tickets and they said come back at 4pm. So I headed back to the hotel. Jill and I were leaving tonight so we had a lazy day and just hung around the hotel. At 4pm I went back to the travel agents in the old quarter and they had got the wrong day on the tickets. After a few minutes they agreed to correct the problem and courier the tickets to our hotel before 5pm. At 5:15pm the tickets arrived and Jill and I checked out the hotel and got a taxi to the train station. We boarded the 19:00 SE1 train to Saigon and were in a 6 berth sleeper car, this was 3 high on each side and we were sharing with five Vietnamese people, actually 6 more as someone had their four year old son with them.

The people in the carriage next to us were from Luxemburg and Italy but were living in London so we spent several hours chatting to them. I read until I fell asleep.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Day 1020 – Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 1020 – 23rd March 2008 +7:00 GMT

We got up early and walked to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh as it is only open until 11am. Unfortunately so had the rest of Vietnam, we had to walk for 25 minutes to find the back of the queue and decided we did not want to wait in a queue of thousands of people to shuffle passed Ho Chi Minh body.

Me Outside Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh

Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh

We did however decided to visit the museum and although it was very busy we got in. We were given an English guide who walked around with Jill and I and explained all the symbolism in the museum about explained about the life of Ho Chi Minh and how he travelled the world for 30 years before becoming the first president of Vietnam. It explained how he started the communist party and was a much loved leader how devoted a lot of time and the country’s resources to teaching the young.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

After the museum we saw the Dien Huu Pagoda

Dien Huu Pagoda

Then onto the Presidential Palace.

The Presedential Palace

Ho Chi Minh never actually lived in the palace but he preferred a small house next door and always lived on his own. The Palace was a magnificent sight and we then walked around the houses where Ho Chi Minh lived.