the last time that i was in Vietnam was in June 2007, an experience that sadly i didn't blog too much about. however, i did blog about the trip for January 2007.
in January 2007, i took a group bus tour with SaigonTourist. it was a company my aunt suggested, a company that my uncle previously worked for and is well subsidized by the government. it was the pretty basic charter bus situation where stops and meals were planned out so it was easy for riders. i would suggest this type of trip if you were in Vietnam for the first time.
in June 2007, i took more of a backpacking tour which involved buying a set of open-bus tickets and stopping where i like, for however long that I like. it was the alternative method to travel also suggested by my aunt.
with the backpacking situation, you never know how decent washroom facilities will be until you are there. or how long you'd have to the next washroom break comfortably. you're gonna have to think for the all-night travel buses about having to use the communal bus toilet or making sure you don't have too much liquids, bring tissue paper wherever you go, etc.
we had seen the terms "sleeping bus" and "sitting bus" used simultaneously for different open-bus travel this time around. we were surprised to find that the sleeping bus was actually a bus with horizontal mattresses bunk beds. i had seen these types of buses in China and in Vietnam before, but had never actually been in one. let me tell you, it's better than sitting for 12 hours on an evening bus on getting your butt numb. unfortunately, that is something we gotta do tomorrow.
in the sleeping bus.. priceless, the expletive "fuck!" coming from an old cranky white guy realizing he's gotta tuck his 6-foot self in the corner next to us 4 mix of short and tall viet folk in the far back where he had no feet room. well, good luck on the rest of your trip.
20120114
vietnam trip 2012 - part 5 - traffic on the highway
the traffic situation in Vietnam is really curious. while i recall the massive collective of moto-bikes/mopeds/scooters in Vietnam, i didn't notice the speed or how buses and vans drove on the highways and through cities.
i was thinking when Asians have a rep for driving badly, i think it's the case when they've learnt to drive in their own country before doing so in North America. while everything seems to be alright with the way they drove in their country, it's all wrong when they're in North America.
the road rules, the way people on the road move are completely bonkers through the eyes of someone from North America. i previously wrote about the honking part, but i hadn't really written about the speed drivers go and passing.
first, while a 440 km-trip from Saigon to Nha Trang with Canadian road regulations about 4.5 hours, it takes drivers in Vietnam 7 hours! drivers drive slow, drivers are sharing the road with other buses and trucks, and drivers are sharing the road with bikes and moto-bikes. you've got to be patient.
secondly, vehicles are constantly passing one another and, here comes the scary part, they pass each one the wrong side of the road, -just skimming cars going in the wrong direction.
unfortunately, for a person who is trying to sleep on a bus, the endless honking is something you gotta get used to.
i was thinking when Asians have a rep for driving badly, i think it's the case when they've learnt to drive in their own country before doing so in North America. while everything seems to be alright with the way they drove in their country, it's all wrong when they're in North America.
the road rules, the way people on the road move are completely bonkers through the eyes of someone from North America. i previously wrote about the honking part, but i hadn't really written about the speed drivers go and passing.
first, while a 440 km-trip from Saigon to Nha Trang with Canadian road regulations about 4.5 hours, it takes drivers in Vietnam 7 hours! drivers drive slow, drivers are sharing the road with other buses and trucks, and drivers are sharing the road with bikes and moto-bikes. you've got to be patient.
secondly, vehicles are constantly passing one another and, here comes the scary part, they pass each one the wrong side of the road, -just skimming cars going in the wrong direction.
unfortunately, for a person who is trying to sleep on a bus, the endless honking is something you gotta get used to.
20120112
vietnam trip 2012 - part 4 - saigon
when we got settled in at our hotel in Saigon (near our travel company), we had to wait for the husband's cousins to get in so we can hang out. it had only been 2 p.m. i lay down for a quick nap, and soon after, i realize that i just bombed and i just couldn't get up easily.
when the husband's first cousin and friend came and while i was sleeping, they went to exchange money, get a sim card, etc. apparently to get the best rates for money exchange is to get it at a jewelry store here, and that's where he went. i grudgedly get up to get ready for dinner and still again, wait for his other cousins to arrive. we walk around the neighbourhood and realize we've gone too far so we taxi it back to our street. we settle for a greasy spoon eating outside next to the cook with his walk in the open space. we have hotpot amongst other items. soon his other cousins come and we chat some more.
i'm realizing i have to go to the washroom but i'm a little nervous about the condition of the washroom that i might find where we eat, so i wait. we finally stop by a small Vietnamese pudding place and i got one of the husband's female cousin to take me. initially, the husband and i ordered something called 'Thai pudding'. while he got his first, we found that it had durian in it. i quickly change my order and shared a bit with him. he's not a fan either, but politely eats it. the dessert i had.. wait for it.. coconut flan in a coconut meat shell. the flan wasn't as soft as how my mom makes it, but still really good. it had shaved ice around it with coffee syrup. yummy!
we then made it back to our hotel and the husband crashed as soon as we got in.
in the morning, we had fantastic pho for breakfast at a small shop near by. i hadn't been impressed with the pho in Vietnam before, but this time, it was real good. yummy pho with yummy fresh noodles!
when the husband's first cousin and friend came and while i was sleeping, they went to exchange money, get a sim card, etc. apparently to get the best rates for money exchange is to get it at a jewelry store here, and that's where he went. i grudgedly get up to get ready for dinner and still again, wait for his other cousins to arrive. we walk around the neighbourhood and realize we've gone too far so we taxi it back to our street. we settle for a greasy spoon eating outside next to the cook with his walk in the open space. we have hotpot amongst other items. soon his other cousins come and we chat some more.
i'm realizing i have to go to the washroom but i'm a little nervous about the condition of the washroom that i might find where we eat, so i wait. we finally stop by a small Vietnamese pudding place and i got one of the husband's female cousin to take me. initially, the husband and i ordered something called 'Thai pudding'. while he got his first, we found that it had durian in it. i quickly change my order and shared a bit with him. he's not a fan either, but politely eats it. the dessert i had.. wait for it.. coconut flan in a coconut meat shell. the flan wasn't as soft as how my mom makes it, but still really good. it had shaved ice around it with coffee syrup. yummy!
we then made it back to our hotel and the husband crashed as soon as we got in.
in the morning, we had fantastic pho for breakfast at a small shop near by. i hadn't been impressed with the pho in Vietnam before, but this time, it was real good. yummy pho with yummy fresh noodles!
vietnam trip 2012 - part 3 - airports
we had anticipated our first flight to be 16 hours, but it ended up being about 17 hours. two 20-minute delays at the start. i like to think it was that group of friends who basically stumbled their way in late and last, who really can't figure out how to fit their carry-on in the carry-on compartments. we move one of our pieces down to to help make it easier. the husband thinks that it's mostly because of transporting the checked baggage. still, i raise my fist at frilly customers who end up sitting behind me and putting their stinky foot on my arm rest. it wasn't stinky, but she sure got told.
we spent our time watching movies and sleeping. in total, we watched 4 movies. we tried to sync to watch the first movie together, which was kinda funny. i had bought some magazines just before leaving, but ended up reading them very little. i realize that perhaps i won't bring the magazines and book on the backpacking trip as i have so much stuff in my bag already.
obviously, our delay for our next flight which should have happened 45 minutes after we landed. wheel-chaired folks caused a mini-mass confusion where while we were delayed for an hour, people started lining up early. while i had already anticipated that we would have had to wait for an extra hour in the plane, we actually waited an extra hour in the area before the plane. we really could have enjoyed the airport by shopping before we "entered" the gate.
we finally make it to Vietnam and we get escorted by this "agent" to help us get through the entry gate faster. while i had no problem getting in in the past on my own, it seemed imperative and the only natural way for the husband's family to get through easily. the concept eludes me.
we get in and i realized that the whole airport was renovated. of course, we were late and it took forever for us to get our luggage, two of which were lost for a day. while the men wait for them, i'm taking out the items we need for our backpacking from our baggage exchanging them for items that we don't need, like the husbands shoes, etc.
leaving the airport, we're greeted by a few hundred people receiving family and friends outside. it was definitely overwhelming for me since previously i'd only arrived in the city in the evening. there were usually very few people. we see the husband's family's, and immediately rush to the side to wait for our ride. the husband's family is very excited to see us, especially his younger cousins who greet me as Chi., honorific for older sister.
we spent our time watching movies and sleeping. in total, we watched 4 movies. we tried to sync to watch the first movie together, which was kinda funny. i had bought some magazines just before leaving, but ended up reading them very little. i realize that perhaps i won't bring the magazines and book on the backpacking trip as i have so much stuff in my bag already.
obviously, our delay for our next flight which should have happened 45 minutes after we landed. wheel-chaired folks caused a mini-mass confusion where while we were delayed for an hour, people started lining up early. while i had already anticipated that we would have had to wait for an extra hour in the plane, we actually waited an extra hour in the area before the plane. we really could have enjoyed the airport by shopping before we "entered" the gate.
we finally make it to Vietnam and we get escorted by this "agent" to help us get through the entry gate faster. while i had no problem getting in in the past on my own, it seemed imperative and the only natural way for the husband's family to get through easily. the concept eludes me.
we get in and i realized that the whole airport was renovated. of course, we were late and it took forever for us to get our luggage, two of which were lost for a day. while the men wait for them, i'm taking out the items we need for our backpacking from our baggage exchanging them for items that we don't need, like the husbands shoes, etc.
leaving the airport, we're greeted by a few hundred people receiving family and friends outside. it was definitely overwhelming for me since previously i'd only arrived in the city in the evening. there were usually very few people. we see the husband's family's, and immediately rush to the side to wait for our ride. the husband's family is very excited to see us, especially his younger cousins who greet me as Chi., honorific for older sister.
20120109
vietnam trip 2012 - part 2 - last minute packing. weather.
hey!
we're making some last minute purchases before leaving in the evening today. apparently the shirt we got for the husband's grandpa won't fit him so we got to get another one today. our bags are packed and we're just doing random stuff today.
we're trying to bring the minimum anything electronics, -so that means cameras, too. we figured out that the husband's dad would like to play with the touchpad we have so we're bringing that, too. i think i would really like to bring the kobo i just got for Christmas, but i haven't loaded up any books on it really.. any real books that aren't free. i haven't figured out how to do that. i'd prefer to bring a paperbook anyway. and magazines.. stuff i don't really mind losing perhaps.
we also found out that it will be raining and dreary the week we're backpacking. wet and cold! but how cold can it get in Vietnam? 14 degrees + rain in Sapa. when i previously did this trip, i went in June so it was much better, the ultimate time to go. it should be fun, or at least in..ter..est..ting. one blog describes rain in Vietnam as miserable.. so we're prepared for it for sure.
when we got to the husband's parents house, we're traveling with them, they had boxes of boxes of gifts for their family and family friends there. upon arrival to their house, we had our two suitcases including our backpacks for the backpacking. today, with the shuffling, we've whittled down.. our backpacks as our carry-ons and one single suitcase that is only half full with.. mostly my stuff.
we'll be at the airport in about 10 hours. see you.
we're making some last minute purchases before leaving in the evening today. apparently the shirt we got for the husband's grandpa won't fit him so we got to get another one today. our bags are packed and we're just doing random stuff today.
we're trying to bring the minimum anything electronics, -so that means cameras, too. we figured out that the husband's dad would like to play with the touchpad we have so we're bringing that, too. i think i would really like to bring the kobo i just got for Christmas, but i haven't loaded up any books on it really.. any real books that aren't free. i haven't figured out how to do that. i'd prefer to bring a paperbook anyway. and magazines.. stuff i don't really mind losing perhaps.
we also found out that it will be raining and dreary the week we're backpacking. wet and cold! but how cold can it get in Vietnam? 14 degrees + rain in Sapa. when i previously did this trip, i went in June so it was much better, the ultimate time to go. it should be fun, or at least in..ter..est..ting. one blog describes rain in Vietnam as miserable.. so we're prepared for it for sure.
when we got to the husband's parents house, we're traveling with them, they had boxes of boxes of gifts for their family and family friends there. upon arrival to their house, we had our two suitcases including our backpacks for the backpacking. today, with the shuffling, we've whittled down.. our backpacks as our carry-ons and one single suitcase that is only half full with.. mostly my stuff.
we'll be at the airport in about 10 hours. see you.
20120107
vietnam trip 2012 - packing for vietnam
i'm watching the husband pack now. i am quite impressed. one medium-sized suitcase that fits a full backpack, -for one week of backpacking, plus gifts for family when we are there. no extra clothes for 4 weeks.
all of the husband's clothes are in the full backpack. for the other 3 weeks of the trip, he plans to just wash what he has in there. i'm intrigued by the efficiency. i follow suit and start unloading my bag. who needs 15 tank tops on a 4-week trip anyway?
essentially, we had planned for this 4-week trip since.. perhaps when we got engaged? i don't even remember. we always knew wanted to see Vietnam together. it's funny because we were in Vietnam exactly 5 years ago, but just as acquaintances, more like friends of friends in Canada. the husband sometimes jokes and said that's where he met his wife, that he had to go back to Vietnam to get a wife. he's from Vietnam himself.
i think it's completely worth it to just visit Vietnam over and over again. there is just so much to see and there is so much history along with the cultural aspects we could never understand from living abroad. in my previous trips, i saw so much and learned so much i don't ever think i can get sick of it.
i recently have been watching this series online called "Who do you think you are?" and it's completely addictive. it's about people (various celebrities) retracing their roots and figuring out how their family came about making the choices they did to end up where they live and lived. i realize that these celebrities are English speaking, hence for them it's definitely easier for them to search for their roots than for me where the records were in English, as an English speaker, to go to find where my roots are in China and Vietnam.
in any case, i'm soooo happy to be visiting the places i had visited 5 years ago. i haven't traveled a lot, but of the bit of travel that i did, alone, i felt lonely and missed companionship in only one place. and that was Ha Long Bay. this time i get to share it with someone this time. i loved sitting on the deck on the boat with the motor off watching the sun go down surrounded by those beautiful, beautiful rocks. just amazing.
all of the husband's clothes are in the full backpack. for the other 3 weeks of the trip, he plans to just wash what he has in there. i'm intrigued by the efficiency. i follow suit and start unloading my bag. who needs 15 tank tops on a 4-week trip anyway?
essentially, we had planned for this 4-week trip since.. perhaps when we got engaged? i don't even remember. we always knew wanted to see Vietnam together. it's funny because we were in Vietnam exactly 5 years ago, but just as acquaintances, more like friends of friends in Canada. the husband sometimes jokes and said that's where he met his wife, that he had to go back to Vietnam to get a wife. he's from Vietnam himself.
i think it's completely worth it to just visit Vietnam over and over again. there is just so much to see and there is so much history along with the cultural aspects we could never understand from living abroad. in my previous trips, i saw so much and learned so much i don't ever think i can get sick of it.
i recently have been watching this series online called "Who do you think you are?" and it's completely addictive. it's about people (various celebrities) retracing their roots and figuring out how their family came about making the choices they did to end up where they live and lived. i realize that these celebrities are English speaking, hence for them it's definitely easier for them to search for their roots than for me where the records were in English, as an English speaker, to go to find where my roots are in China and Vietnam.
in any case, i'm soooo happy to be visiting the places i had visited 5 years ago. i haven't traveled a lot, but of the bit of travel that i did, alone, i felt lonely and missed companionship in only one place. and that was Ha Long Bay. this time i get to share it with someone this time. i loved sitting on the deck on the boat with the motor off watching the sun go down surrounded by those beautiful, beautiful rocks. just amazing.
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