For the Love of Money, I have decided to make a severe schedule change and I will be heading to my parents' place on June 24. Of course I would love to continue on to Europe, but it is just not going to happen this time around. With seven countries down and a few buck left in my bank account, mama I'm coming home.
So, let's see who really reads my blog. For all of you in the States, especially those of you out west, drop me a line. I will be spending at least a month with my family in Illinois, but thereafter, I am planning on heading out west to spend some time with the friends I left behind about 4 years ago. So again, get at me! I'll be looking for some couches to crash on...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Going Up
Vietnam has been amazing. Hence, I haven't been online for a while. The food, the people (i.e. the families), the landscape, and the language - it's all been a blast. The food is gradually changing as we make our way north: fresh spring rolls, sandwiches, pho, cau lau...
The people (save all the annoying people on the street trying to sell you anything and everything) are genuinely friendly and open to foreign cultures.
The landscape has healed profoundly. We haven't seen all the world heritage sites as of yet, but so far so beautiful...and apparently the further we go north, the better it's going to get...can't wait!
The language is crazy. Of all the countries I have ever visited, I feel so far from understanding that it is becoming really fun. The intonations and tones are perhaps impossible for me to discern or hear, but it's been a riot trying to pronounce anything. My friend Cathy (''Hi, Cathy! Get back to work!!) mentioned in her blog that the more retarded she could sound, the more she sounded like she was speaking Vietnamese. I completely understand. If you know any Vietnamese people, try to say 'good night' and let the good times roll. By the way, don't ask me because I can't do it and the more I try, the more I sound like an infant trying to spit out her first words...ngahy nhagy nhahg;alksdfj;aksgj.... :o)~
Ho Chi Minh City was fantastic. We spent a week there and it was cheap, had good food and we met some really great people. We only couchsurfed 1 night, but it was genuinely enriching. We took a bus about an hour out of the city (near the Cu Chi tunnel system - some 200km of underground tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the French and American wars...all dug out by hand tools in a period of 20 years...and let me tell you, if you ain't a small person, you ain't going very far...damn!), and stayed with a really nice family. They fed us 'til our bellies were full (fresh spring rolls, lots of meat and rice, and plenty of chilies!), introduced us to the southern Vietnamese lifestyle, guided us to the Cu Chi tunnels, and treated us like we were born into their family.
Nha Trang...I really cannot recommend this place. Unless you want to get drunk with a bunch of tourist and continuously get ripped off without a full blown price war with the vendor, don't go here. The beach was beautiful. On a side note, I've been told that if you have an inside connection, the mountains to the west have a lot of potential. We didn't get that far.
We are currently in Hoi An. It is really interesting, but there's not much going on here. So it's been good - nice and quiet. Actually, this place is one of the few places that didn't really get bombed during the wars, so there are several really old houses, bridges, etc. There's also a few ancient sites (nothing close to Cambodia) and marble mountain next to China Beach, but overall, this is just a nice area to chill out. And that's exactly what we are doing.
And that's about it. We're making the 24 hour bus journey to Hanoi on Monday to check out the north end of the country and we're looking forward to it. We will miss a bunch of great sites, but our visa is only good for a month and we want to spend some time up north before we leave. So, when we get there and I see some stuff, I'll find a computer and fill you in. Until then, chao!
The people (save all the annoying people on the street trying to sell you anything and everything) are genuinely friendly and open to foreign cultures.
The landscape has healed profoundly. We haven't seen all the world heritage sites as of yet, but so far so beautiful...and apparently the further we go north, the better it's going to get...can't wait!
The language is crazy. Of all the countries I have ever visited, I feel so far from understanding that it is becoming really fun. The intonations and tones are perhaps impossible for me to discern or hear, but it's been a riot trying to pronounce anything. My friend Cathy (''Hi, Cathy! Get back to work!!) mentioned in her blog that the more retarded she could sound, the more she sounded like she was speaking Vietnamese. I completely understand. If you know any Vietnamese people, try to say 'good night' and let the good times roll. By the way, don't ask me because I can't do it and the more I try, the more I sound like an infant trying to spit out her first words...ngahy nhagy nhahg;alksdfj;aksgj.... :o)~
Ho Chi Minh City was fantastic. We spent a week there and it was cheap, had good food and we met some really great people. We only couchsurfed 1 night, but it was genuinely enriching. We took a bus about an hour out of the city (near the Cu Chi tunnel system - some 200km of underground tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the French and American wars...all dug out by hand tools in a period of 20 years...and let me tell you, if you ain't a small person, you ain't going very far...damn!), and stayed with a really nice family. They fed us 'til our bellies were full (fresh spring rolls, lots of meat and rice, and plenty of chilies!), introduced us to the southern Vietnamese lifestyle, guided us to the Cu Chi tunnels, and treated us like we were born into their family.
Nha Trang...I really cannot recommend this place. Unless you want to get drunk with a bunch of tourist and continuously get ripped off without a full blown price war with the vendor, don't go here. The beach was beautiful. On a side note, I've been told that if you have an inside connection, the mountains to the west have a lot of potential. We didn't get that far.
We are currently in Hoi An. It is really interesting, but there's not much going on here. So it's been good - nice and quiet. Actually, this place is one of the few places that didn't really get bombed during the wars, so there are several really old houses, bridges, etc. There's also a few ancient sites (nothing close to Cambodia) and marble mountain next to China Beach, but overall, this is just a nice area to chill out. And that's exactly what we are doing.
And that's about it. We're making the 24 hour bus journey to Hanoi on Monday to check out the north end of the country and we're looking forward to it. We will miss a bunch of great sites, but our visa is only good for a month and we want to spend some time up north before we leave. So, when we get there and I see some stuff, I'll find a computer and fill you in. Until then, chao!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Cambodia to Vietnam
Cambodia has come and gone. We spent nine days in Cambodia and it's still as beautiful as it was two years ago. The country is still really poor and you can definitely feel post war vibes (i.e. Khmer Rouge), but the people are so friendly. Nevertheless, the ruins of Angkor Wat and the other temples in the area are amazing. If you're interested in ancient cities, these are probably the best ruins left in the world. I'll have pictures up as soon as I find a computer with a fast connection. Anyway, Cambodia - get there!
As for now, we're chillin' in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is really nice so far. We're both dealing with a bit of a stomach bug right now, but otherwise we're enjoying the city. Everything is cheap here, and I'm looking forward to heading North. We'll end up in Da Nang, which is located on the coast in central Vietnam, and stay with friends for a little while. Thereafter, we'll hit up Hanoi and then decide to either go to Laos or Nepal. Whatever the case might be, we're having a great time exploring this new country.
So until next time, take it easy...
As for now, we're chillin' in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is really nice so far. We're both dealing with a bit of a stomach bug right now, but otherwise we're enjoying the city. Everything is cheap here, and I'm looking forward to heading North. We'll end up in Da Nang, which is located on the coast in central Vietnam, and stay with friends for a little while. Thereafter, we'll hit up Hanoi and then decide to either go to Laos or Nepal. Whatever the case might be, we're having a great time exploring this new country.
So until next time, take it easy...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Final Hours in Thailand
After about three weeks in Thailand, we are officially moving on tomorrow. Our bus leaves at 9:00 am for the Cambodian border at which point we will hire a taxi to take us to Siem Reap: the home of Angkor Wat. I have had yet another great time here in Thailand from the tropical paradise of Koh Phangan in the south to meeting and temporarily living with an extraordinary family in Bangkok.
There is, however, very little to tell. The island was beautiful and full of such activities as hammock Olympics (e.g. book reading and snoozing), cruising around on a scooter, cooling off in crystal clear water, hiking through the jungle, and eating as much as possible. Bangkok has been about the polar opposite (save the eating as much as possible): full of traffic, con-artists, touts, temples (check my pictures!), taxis, buses, boats, video games, thunder and lightning...very, very frightening!
Basically, if you have been to Thailand, then you can obviously relate. If you have never been here, it is well worth the trip. As for advice, spend two or three days in Bangkok, perhaps a week in the south on an island, and as much time as possible in the north. We did not make it north during this trip, but for you travelers out there, it is cheaper and more traditional insofar as everything concerning Thailand. Overall, it is really hard to go wrong here unless you are smuggling narcotics in or out of the country, talking shit about the king, trying to stop the people from protesting, or as I mentioned in my last post, trying to relax during your Thai massage. Thailand is beautiful - rich in culture, chilies, and smiles.
On a final note, don't be afraid of eating food made on the street: it will cost you about $1.00 for an entire meal and it will be spicy enough to kill anything that might make you sick. Don't be afraid to use the buses: you will save heaps of cash. Don't be afraid to bargain for anything you want except food...and be strong! Don't forget to wear pants and a shirt with sleeves to every temple. Don't forget to never put anything down the toliet that didn't naturally come out of your body: the plumbing is terrible. Don't forget to smile. And don't forget to relax. Come, see and enjoy for yourself...
There is, however, very little to tell. The island was beautiful and full of such activities as hammock Olympics (e.g. book reading and snoozing), cruising around on a scooter, cooling off in crystal clear water, hiking through the jungle, and eating as much as possible. Bangkok has been about the polar opposite (save the eating as much as possible): full of traffic, con-artists, touts, temples (check my pictures!), taxis, buses, boats, video games, thunder and lightning...very, very frightening!
Basically, if you have been to Thailand, then you can obviously relate. If you have never been here, it is well worth the trip. As for advice, spend two or three days in Bangkok, perhaps a week in the south on an island, and as much time as possible in the north. We did not make it north during this trip, but for you travelers out there, it is cheaper and more traditional insofar as everything concerning Thailand. Overall, it is really hard to go wrong here unless you are smuggling narcotics in or out of the country, talking shit about the king, trying to stop the people from protesting, or as I mentioned in my last post, trying to relax during your Thai massage. Thailand is beautiful - rich in culture, chilies, and smiles.
On a final note, don't be afraid of eating food made on the street: it will cost you about $1.00 for an entire meal and it will be spicy enough to kill anything that might make you sick. Don't be afraid to use the buses: you will save heaps of cash. Don't be afraid to bargain for anything you want except food...and be strong! Don't forget to wear pants and a shirt with sleeves to every temple. Don't forget to never put anything down the toliet that didn't naturally come out of your body: the plumbing is terrible. Don't forget to smile. And don't forget to relax. Come, see and enjoy for yourself...
60 Minutes of Hell
For just $2.80, I experienced an hour of what most countries would consider torture. As for Thais, it was just another day in the life of a traditional Thai masseuse. This woman broke me. Not physically, thank God, but my mind was shattered to pieces. I would have confessed to anything she asked of me. However, I have to admit that after she finished with me, I had the deepest feeling of relief. I suppose anyone would be relieved after such a strenuous display of pressure point manipulation. Nevertheless, at least I can say that I had a true Thai massage - and let me tell you, it will probably be my last.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thunder and Lightning
After 15 nights on Koh Phangan (also referred to as paradise), we have made our way to Bangkok and the beginnings of the rainy season. Despite having to plan our days (as well as minutes) around the rain, the storms are quite amazing. While walking to the steps of Bangkok's sky train, a bolt of lightning hit the roof of those steps, which was followed by smoke and a 3 second blackout in the surrounding area. It was quite the "excuse me while I change my pants" incident. And we are currently couch surfing just outside Bangkok - the time we spend here is spent with flashes of light quickly (as well as oftentimes immediately) followed by deafening cracks of thunder. Shiori finds herself jumping fr0m time to time, but I have enjoyed the electric show.
Otherwise, things are grand. Bangkok is the same as I remember - busy. We have made our way up and down the river to several temples and districts, but we are ready to move on. Unless you enjoy the hustle and bustle of large southeast Asian countries, I would not recommend staying in Bangkok for more than three days. Of course, we have a place to stay a bit outside of the city, so we will have been here for a week when we leave on Monday.
As for this upcoming Monday, we will be catching a train to the Cambodian border en route to the ruins of Angkor Wat. Until then, we will be hanging out, watching some movies, hitting up the markets for fresh food and who knows what else, playing some video games with our host's children, and avoiding the thunder and lightning as much as possible.
Otherwise, things are grand. Bangkok is the same as I remember - busy. We have made our way up and down the river to several temples and districts, but we are ready to move on. Unless you enjoy the hustle and bustle of large southeast Asian countries, I would not recommend staying in Bangkok for more than three days. Of course, we have a place to stay a bit outside of the city, so we will have been here for a week when we leave on Monday.
As for this upcoming Monday, we will be catching a train to the Cambodian border en route to the ruins of Angkor Wat. Until then, we will be hanging out, watching some movies, hitting up the markets for fresh food and who knows what else, playing some video games with our host's children, and avoiding the thunder and lightning as much as possible.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Just Like Heaven
After three mini-buses (one of which included fifteen passengers in a ten passenger bus), a bus and a boat, our 12 hour journey left us in paradise. After two previous visits, I have found myself on Koh Phangan once again. We're not couchsurfing this island, and have agreed to pay about $80 for 14 nights on the beach. This is a bit of a holiday on our holiday, but if you get the chance to visit heaven before it's your time, I figure that you might as well take the opportunity whenever it comes your way. So we are.
If you ever come to Koh Phangan, let me know and I'll give you the scoop. Until then, heaven awaits...
If you ever come to Koh Phangan, let me know and I'll give you the scoop. Until then, heaven awaits...
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