Hello from Bali!
Bali is AMAZING. I really love it here. Beautiful beaches, perfect water, green rice paddies, cocnut laden palm trees, perfect blue sky!
We crossed over the equator, so now we are in the Southern Hemisphere (though I don't know if the toilet flushes the opposite direction). It is VERY hot here since we are so close to the equator. We are staying in Kuta/Legian beach area.
Yesterday we went white water rafting down a large river in the center of the island. It was level 4 rapids, and was pretty action packed the whole 2 1/2 hour trip! The rafting culminated with going over a 5 meter waterfall. It was really scary, but awesome! I absolutely loved it! Other than that, we have been laying on the beach, swimming, surfing, and eating really yummy food! The Balinese people are so friendly and fun. I would really like to teach here someday!
We are thinking about heading to the Gilli islands next, but may stay in this area...then onto Singapore, then Kuala Lumpur...and finally in 2 weeks I will be home! It's been almost 8 months since I left for Asia!
I am taking lots of pictures and having a great time! Miss you all!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
In Saigon!
Hello everyone! I am in Saigon now, or Ho Chi Minh City I guess! Vietnam has been a whirlwind, but it has been great.
My last update, I believe was in Hanoi. SInce then, we have gone all the way down the country and done so much. After Hanoi, we went to Cat Ba island, which was beautiful! The whole bay was limestone cliffs and emerald green water. We went out on a junk for a day trip around Halong Bay, which was incredible.
After Cat Ba, we went to Hue on an overnight bus....let me tell you this was probably the worst time of my entire life! This bus was ridiculous! First of all, there are rows of beds (if you can even call them that) along the whole bus. I had a top bunk. These things are built for people about 4 feet tall and 80 pounds. You couldn't straighten your legs all the way. To make it worse, they BLASTED vietnamese music on full volume all night, and the driver swerved and honked every 30 seconds. I am not exaggerating. He was horrid! To top it off, the bus gets pulle dover and they find a bunch of stolen phones. So we are stopped for 4 hours while they search all the bags. Needless to say, we arrived in Hue about 7 hours late. I think I wanted to die by then.
Hue was amazing, which made up for the ride there! We went on a tour of the DMZ where among the things we saw were the beginning of HO Chi Minh trail, Khe San military base, and the Vinh Moc tunnels. It was really incredible to see all of this stuff!
After Hue, we took an all day train down to Nha Trang. This is supposed to be the most scenic railway in the world...and it did not let us down! It took about 13 hours to get there but it was worth it. Nha Trang is probably my favorite part of Vietnam. It was gorgeous, the people were so friendly, and the weather was nice. We went to the beach all day, then went to the mineral hot springs. We had a mud bath in these mud pits, then layed in hot mineral water, and swam in mineral waterfalls. The water was very hot, but after your skin felt so good. It was really fun to splash around in the mud, and swim in the pools. The whole process was very unique including high pressure jets to wash all the mud off.
Yesterday we flew from Nhat Trang to HCMC (instead of taking another hellatious bus ride) and now we are here for 2 days. We are going to the CuChi tunnels tomorrow...then its off to Bali (which I am SUPER excited for!)
ALl in all its been a great trip and the boys and I are having so much fun!
I have managed to get up pictures from the south of Thailand, but they are poorly labeled and out of order....but it will have to do for now:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018994&id=83901952&l=0054f5a0e7
I will update again in Bali!! Miss you all!
Can't believe I will be home in 3 weeks!
My last update, I believe was in Hanoi. SInce then, we have gone all the way down the country and done so much. After Hanoi, we went to Cat Ba island, which was beautiful! The whole bay was limestone cliffs and emerald green water. We went out on a junk for a day trip around Halong Bay, which was incredible.
After Cat Ba, we went to Hue on an overnight bus....let me tell you this was probably the worst time of my entire life! This bus was ridiculous! First of all, there are rows of beds (if you can even call them that) along the whole bus. I had a top bunk. These things are built for people about 4 feet tall and 80 pounds. You couldn't straighten your legs all the way. To make it worse, they BLASTED vietnamese music on full volume all night, and the driver swerved and honked every 30 seconds. I am not exaggerating. He was horrid! To top it off, the bus gets pulle dover and they find a bunch of stolen phones. So we are stopped for 4 hours while they search all the bags. Needless to say, we arrived in Hue about 7 hours late. I think I wanted to die by then.
Hue was amazing, which made up for the ride there! We went on a tour of the DMZ where among the things we saw were the beginning of HO Chi Minh trail, Khe San military base, and the Vinh Moc tunnels. It was really incredible to see all of this stuff!
After Hue, we took an all day train down to Nha Trang. This is supposed to be the most scenic railway in the world...and it did not let us down! It took about 13 hours to get there but it was worth it. Nha Trang is probably my favorite part of Vietnam. It was gorgeous, the people were so friendly, and the weather was nice. We went to the beach all day, then went to the mineral hot springs. We had a mud bath in these mud pits, then layed in hot mineral water, and swam in mineral waterfalls. The water was very hot, but after your skin felt so good. It was really fun to splash around in the mud, and swim in the pools. The whole process was very unique including high pressure jets to wash all the mud off.
Yesterday we flew from Nhat Trang to HCMC (instead of taking another hellatious bus ride) and now we are here for 2 days. We are going to the CuChi tunnels tomorrow...then its off to Bali (which I am SUPER excited for!)
ALl in all its been a great trip and the boys and I are having so much fun!
I have managed to get up pictures from the south of Thailand, but they are poorly labeled and out of order....but it will have to do for now:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018994&id=83901952&l=0054f5a0e7
I will update again in Bali!! Miss you all!
Can't believe I will be home in 3 weeks!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Greetings from Vietnam!!
When I last updated, we were in Koh Tao celebrating "Songkram". Songkran was a blast! The whole day was essentailly a giant waterfight on the whole island! Nowhere was safe, and EVERYONE was soaked by the end of the day! It was a blast and we bought supersoakers to fight back! You would even get doused sitting in a restaurant eating lunch! We walked to a big beach and water-fought all day!
After songkran, we left koh tao and started traveling for 2 days straight. Unfortunately I got a horrid sinus infection...which didn't make it much better. We took a 3 hour boat, then a bus, then an overnight train to Bangkok. From there we took another bus, then waited at the airport, then flew in to Vietnam. I was a bit sad to leave Thailand...after being there for about 7 months. I will be back for a couple days before I fly home.
We arrived in Hanoi yesterday. I can't say this is my favorite place in the world. It is a HUGE city. There are way too many people, and crossing the street takes about 30 minutes...nobody stops for you and there are millions of cars and motorcycles at all times. It is really scary, dirty, and smoggy. The people are not friendly like the Thais. It's pretty much a concrete jungle packed with people to the point where you feel like you can't breathe. I don't know if I was just experiencing culture shock, or if I really dislike this place, but I semi-freaked out walking down the street.
Despite this, we have done a lot. We went to Ho Chi Minh's masoleum and saw his preserved body (creepy but cool). We went to the army museum. We walked around the lake, and we saw a vietnamese water puppet show (which was way cooler than it sounds). We also ate pho (noodle soup) and bun (noodles with salad and grilled meat all mixed together with a yummy sauce)...both of which were quite yummy! Everything is really cheap here (the money is called "Dong" (hehe) and 2 million is about $115. The boys went to the "Hanoi Hilton", but I refrained. Overall it's been ok, even though I am not a big city girl.
Today we are heading to Halong Bay and Cat Ba island. Then on to Hue, and Danag (to see the DMZ), then onto Nha Trang, and finally HCM city (Saigon). I am happy to be getting out of the city and hopefully will like vietnam a lot more than I do.
If you can believe it (I can't) I will be home in about a month! Seems like this time just flew by! I am very excited for the rest of my travels, but will be happy to return to civilization and experience the inevitable "reverse culture shock". I will update again soon when I do more in Vietnam!
After songkran, we left koh tao and started traveling for 2 days straight. Unfortunately I got a horrid sinus infection...which didn't make it much better. We took a 3 hour boat, then a bus, then an overnight train to Bangkok. From there we took another bus, then waited at the airport, then flew in to Vietnam. I was a bit sad to leave Thailand...after being there for about 7 months. I will be back for a couple days before I fly home.
We arrived in Hanoi yesterday. I can't say this is my favorite place in the world. It is a HUGE city. There are way too many people, and crossing the street takes about 30 minutes...nobody stops for you and there are millions of cars and motorcycles at all times. It is really scary, dirty, and smoggy. The people are not friendly like the Thais. It's pretty much a concrete jungle packed with people to the point where you feel like you can't breathe. I don't know if I was just experiencing culture shock, or if I really dislike this place, but I semi-freaked out walking down the street.
Despite this, we have done a lot. We went to Ho Chi Minh's masoleum and saw his preserved body (creepy but cool). We went to the army museum. We walked around the lake, and we saw a vietnamese water puppet show (which was way cooler than it sounds). We also ate pho (noodle soup) and bun (noodles with salad and grilled meat all mixed together with a yummy sauce)...both of which were quite yummy! Everything is really cheap here (the money is called "Dong" (hehe) and 2 million is about $115. The boys went to the "Hanoi Hilton", but I refrained. Overall it's been ok, even though I am not a big city girl.
Today we are heading to Halong Bay and Cat Ba island. Then on to Hue, and Danag (to see the DMZ), then onto Nha Trang, and finally HCM city (Saigon). I am happy to be getting out of the city and hopefully will like vietnam a lot more than I do.
If you can believe it (I can't) I will be home in about a month! Seems like this time just flew by! I am very excited for the rest of my travels, but will be happy to return to civilization and experience the inevitable "reverse culture shock". I will update again soon when I do more in Vietnam!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Island hopping continues!!
I think I last updated from Krabi....since then, the adventure has continued!!
Scott and I met up with Rachel, and saw her rock climb in Ton Sai. The weather continued to be crap...monsooning every night...btu we managed to make the most of it!
After Krabi, we headed up the andaman coast to Ko Lak...a diving mecca. It continued to pour, but Matt dove on the Similan islands, and Scott and I managed to geta few hours of sun in.
After Krabi...we headed back to the Gulf of Thailand where we went to Koh Samui. The island was pretty nice, and we stayed in Bo Phun beach for 2 nights. We then headed to the next island, Koh Pagnan. We met up with Rachel again, and also Courtney, and her boyfriend Chris. We stayed on a gorgeous beach called Thong Nai Pan...and there was plenty of sun for once! Our bungalows had a pool and were surrounded by plumeria and orchids! The night of the 9th, we went to the full moon party. If you haven't heard of it, it is supposed to be one of the biggest parties in the world (google it...well, not you mom because it will probably scare you). It was right on the beach, and had body painting, fire limbo...and general craziness. To add to that, it rained the ENTIRE TIME! The 6 of us had a blast, and made it back safely! We said goodbye to Rachel, and Courtney for good :( on the 11th.
We are on Koh Tao now...the last of the islands we are visiting int he gulf. It is GORGEOUS! It has been sunny the whole time (yay). I went scuba diving today and saw a barracuda, and a sea snake!! I did 2 dives, and my dive instructor looked like Paul Walker (yum).
Tomorrow is songkran (a HUGE Thai holiday). Essentially the whole day everyone throws water at each other or gets giant super soakers, and there is a day long water fight! I am so excited!
After Koh Tao, our trip of Thailand is over. All in all the south has been great! Heading to Vietnam on the 15th!! I am trying to put up pictres now...we will see what happens!
Scott and I met up with Rachel, and saw her rock climb in Ton Sai. The weather continued to be crap...monsooning every night...btu we managed to make the most of it!
After Krabi, we headed up the andaman coast to Ko Lak...a diving mecca. It continued to pour, but Matt dove on the Similan islands, and Scott and I managed to geta few hours of sun in.
After Krabi...we headed back to the Gulf of Thailand where we went to Koh Samui. The island was pretty nice, and we stayed in Bo Phun beach for 2 nights. We then headed to the next island, Koh Pagnan. We met up with Rachel again, and also Courtney, and her boyfriend Chris. We stayed on a gorgeous beach called Thong Nai Pan...and there was plenty of sun for once! Our bungalows had a pool and were surrounded by plumeria and orchids! The night of the 9th, we went to the full moon party. If you haven't heard of it, it is supposed to be one of the biggest parties in the world (google it...well, not you mom because it will probably scare you). It was right on the beach, and had body painting, fire limbo...and general craziness. To add to that, it rained the ENTIRE TIME! The 6 of us had a blast, and made it back safely! We said goodbye to Rachel, and Courtney for good :( on the 11th.
We are on Koh Tao now...the last of the islands we are visiting int he gulf. It is GORGEOUS! It has been sunny the whole time (yay). I went scuba diving today and saw a barracuda, and a sea snake!! I did 2 dives, and my dive instructor looked like Paul Walker (yum).
Tomorrow is songkran (a HUGE Thai holiday). Essentially the whole day everyone throws water at each other or gets giant super soakers, and there is a day long water fight! I am so excited!
After Koh Tao, our trip of Thailand is over. All in all the south has been great! Heading to Vietnam on the 15th!! I am trying to put up pictres now...we will see what happens!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
South of Thailand travel begins!
Scott, Matt and I have been traveling now for almost a week! We left for Bangkok, then flew to Phuket in the south of Thailand. Phuket was pretty nice...though we only stayed for 2 days. You can tell the Tsunami of 2004 wiped out quite a bit but they have recovered extremely well!
After Phuket we headed to the Phi Phi islands. Koh Phi Phi was the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life! We went on a boat/snorkel trip...saw this lagoon called PiLey bay on Phi Phi Leh island...so beautiful (google pictures of it). We also went to the beach where they filmed the movie "The beach" (but believe it or not, that was probably the least beautiful)! I took TONS of pictures that I will put up when I get back to the states. Scott and I hiked up the tsunami evacuation route/viewpoint and it was spectacular! We staed 4 days on Phi Phi Don (the bigger island) but spent a lot of time on Phi Phi Leh (the smaller and more beautiful island only a longboat ride away). On the cliffs they have "swift nests", that they use to make bird nest soup. I guess people have to scale these cliffs and steal the nests and make a ton of money, though it looks extremely dangerous. We also saw a viking cave, where pirates had made drawings on the walls. What else? Had some great food, saw some Muay Thai boxing, got an awesome sunburn...everything was great!
We are in Krabi now...a place called Ao Nang. It has been rainign all day. but tomorrow we are meeting up with Rachel in Railay beach (in Krabi) and hopefully doing some kayaking.
On saturday, we are heading to the similan islands (on the andaman sea). Scuba diving is some of the best in the world there so I think I might splurge and do a "fun dive"...you dont get certified and a guide goes with you (its through PADI so its safe mom), plus its less expensive. You go no more than 25 ft. so if something goes wrong you can swim up. I feel like it would be a shame not to when its the best in the world! Matt went diving the other day on Phi Phi and saw 3 sea turtles and a shark!! The dive I do counts toward part of a certification if I find that I love it. I have always been a bit apprehensive of diving, but I am pretty much a waterbaby and LOVE snorkeling, so I will probably LOVE it and be addicted. The snorkeling alone has been AMAZING! The visibility is about 12-18 meters from the surface and there are so many unbelievable fish swimming around (rainbow colored even!!) The water is so clear and warm (about 80-85 degrees)
The south of Thialand is very different...and A LOT more beautiful. There are huge cascading limestone cliffs, and turqouise water. I really love it down here!
I am having a blast! It is HOTTER THAN HECK, but we are dealing!
Miss you all, and I will try to update again soon!
After Phuket we headed to the Phi Phi islands. Koh Phi Phi was the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life! We went on a boat/snorkel trip...saw this lagoon called PiLey bay on Phi Phi Leh island...so beautiful (google pictures of it). We also went to the beach where they filmed the movie "The beach" (but believe it or not, that was probably the least beautiful)! I took TONS of pictures that I will put up when I get back to the states. Scott and I hiked up the tsunami evacuation route/viewpoint and it was spectacular! We staed 4 days on Phi Phi Don (the bigger island) but spent a lot of time on Phi Phi Leh (the smaller and more beautiful island only a longboat ride away). On the cliffs they have "swift nests", that they use to make bird nest soup. I guess people have to scale these cliffs and steal the nests and make a ton of money, though it looks extremely dangerous. We also saw a viking cave, where pirates had made drawings on the walls. What else? Had some great food, saw some Muay Thai boxing, got an awesome sunburn...everything was great!
We are in Krabi now...a place called Ao Nang. It has been rainign all day. but tomorrow we are meeting up with Rachel in Railay beach (in Krabi) and hopefully doing some kayaking.
On saturday, we are heading to the similan islands (on the andaman sea). Scuba diving is some of the best in the world there so I think I might splurge and do a "fun dive"...you dont get certified and a guide goes with you (its through PADI so its safe mom), plus its less expensive. You go no more than 25 ft. so if something goes wrong you can swim up. I feel like it would be a shame not to when its the best in the world! Matt went diving the other day on Phi Phi and saw 3 sea turtles and a shark!! The dive I do counts toward part of a certification if I find that I love it. I have always been a bit apprehensive of diving, but I am pretty much a waterbaby and LOVE snorkeling, so I will probably LOVE it and be addicted. The snorkeling alone has been AMAZING! The visibility is about 12-18 meters from the surface and there are so many unbelievable fish swimming around (rainbow colored even!!) The water is so clear and warm (about 80-85 degrees)
The south of Thialand is very different...and A LOT more beautiful. There are huge cascading limestone cliffs, and turqouise water. I really love it down here!
I am having a blast! It is HOTTER THAN HECK, but we are dealing!
Miss you all, and I will try to update again soon!
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