The Bridge on the river Kwai

On the last of my trip I have went for a day tour to Kanchantaburi. This is the town where the famous bridge on the River Kwai is located. We visited the military commentary, later visited the War Museum and the bridge, took bamboo rafts down the river Kwai later had a 30 elephant trekking, visited a pleasant waterfall and finally took the old train along the Burma railway tracks. Very busy day. Leaving back to Canada tomorrow.

Busy day in Bangkok

Today was a super busy day. I switched the hotel in the morning, later went to see the King's palace complex with the sourounding temples. After that I have taken a cool boat tour through Chao Praya and the connecting channels. I have seen another amazing temple and ended up in Khao san Road. There is a festival going on in the town to celebrate the 50th birthday of the princess of Thailand. There was lots of things going on on the streets. Around 6 pm I have taken the tuk-tuk to the IT mall (Pantip Plaza or something like that) and got mod chip for Alex. Did some shopping and ate a yummy meal on the street for 40 bhat ($1) and took the local bus with AC home for 12 bhat ($ 0.26). Its 11:30 now and I am super tired. ciao

Khao San Road - the mecca of "The Lonely Planet Cult"

I am in Bangkok. The internet is fast, the keyboard has all keys and its 35C. I have checked to the small hotel off the Kaho San road. Got a two hour power nap (the last 5 days travelling was quite intense). Will go now to get some food and check the mecca of "The Lonely Planet cult" (I haven't seen so many backpackers yet) :)

Sapa Highlands

I left for Sapa right after coming back from Halong Bay. I took the night train to Lao Cai and later caught a bus up to the 1500 m where Sapa is located. We have lef the main luggage in the hotel and went for the trek. The first day we have hiked about 9 km, crossed the Black Hmong village and eventually ended in the Zae village where we stayed in the homestay. The views were amazing with the 3100 m Fansipan range in the background.

There was four of us: Mick and Josh from Australia, me and our guide with minimal knowledge of English - Tot. In the Zae village we had a great dinner generously soaked with the rice wine and later ended up in the wedding party (we kind of invited ourselves...) We had amazing time but drunk too much rice wine and ate dog (not knowing that it was one) !!!

Next day we hiked 6km to Red Zhao village and eventually took jeeps back to Sapa. The weather was awesome, lots of sun and 22 - 27 C. At 21:15 we took the night train back to Hanoi, arrived at 5 pm, had a bowl of Pho at 5:30 and caught the taxi to the airport. Off to Bangkok

Halong Bay

I am back from a two day Halong Bay trip. There were twelve of us on the boat. The trip was great. Dis some kayaking and of course to complete the experience swam there as well. Met tree guys/girls from Ottawa and a cool couple from New Zealand. They (Canadians) will visit Van on April 13 (on their way back) and I am going to take them to Blarney Stone :). I have ran into many people I have met earlier on the trip in Vietnam...

Off to Sapa in two hours by a night train...

Hanoi

this keyboard has no left shift ... the flight from hue was smooth although they tried to rip me off on the aiport transfer fee. it was supposed to be included in the plane ticket so i just walked off saying thank you :) the guy was half of my size so i dont think he would have a chance ....

i am stying close to the "smith's street" in a dive called thu giang guesthouse. probably the simpliest place i have been so far, but has hot water :) it only 6$ a night. i have been strolling around the old quarter all day, bought few things, booked my halong bay and sapa tours and a plane ticket to bangkok. had problems finding a cd burning place but met a a cool couple from arizona (tim and cindie - www.downtheroad.org who are bicycling around the world) and tim helped me burning the cd with his laptop. they have written a book about their travel and sell it online. the sales from the book allows them to travel.

going to get some food and will hit the bed early tonite. weather is so so, no rain fortunately.

Bike tour in Hue

Just got back from the day long bike tour in Hue. It was rainy but still great. I have originally booked the $2 perfume river tour but after reading all the warnings about this lame trip in the "Cafe on the wheels" decided to do the $6 motorbike tour. It was well worth it. We have visited the pagodas, tombs, went to the country side seen the japanese bridge, the bunker hill, the citadel, drove through villages and remote areas and just had a great fun. There was about 8 bikes together. It was organized by Thu's cafe a Lonely Planet recomended cafe in the little alley right by the hotel. It is a hangout place for many backpackers. The cafe has many writings on the walls. I made my own inscription today... Leaving in half an hour on the plane to Hanoi.

Rainy season started and I am in Hue

Just arrived in a full on rain. Looks like rainy season started for good. I am staying in Hue's lil backpackers area. I have joined two Swedish dudes from Gotland (I am having a dinner with them later tonite). My knowledge if Swedish comes handy.