Saigon July 5,2012
Its been a about a week since last time i wrote. Alma could not fly to Laos because the tickets were too expensive so we decided to meet in Saigon.
What a crazy city. I thought Hanoi was crazy,well, this is a new level, after the peace and tranquility on Laos, to arrive here was like to be dropped in the middle of a motorcycle race. They are everywhere..everywhere. Luckily we already mastered the art of crossing the streets, but believe me, it is intense.
After spending one day here we headed to the delta of the mekong. What a disappointment. So far we have not done one single organized tour, we just went to the agency, ask about the places and then in our own do it, a much more rewarding experience. Here, for some reason we decided to do it with an agency and it was a bad idea. They took us to super touristy places and the things they promised, while true, were just ridiculous. After 4 hours, we decided to leave the tour and on our own continue the trip.
Because the weather was not the best, we decided to change directions and go north. We took a bus to Mui Ne. A very nice and relaxing beach 5 hours north of Saigon. Beautiful sand dunes, excellent food and more vietname people trying to rip us off every moment made for a very interesting trip.
After that, we went to Dalat, a city in the highlands and the first place in 4 months in which i have to wear a sweater. There we took a motorcycle tour around the region and it was incredible. Alma and i riding along coffee plantations, silk factories and the most beautiful pagoda I have visted so far.
When we arrived, women were doing their daily rituals and it was a magic moment. One of those where one feel that is better to leave it in your memory and not to spoil the moment by trying to take a picture. Also, I have come to realize thatthey are so many pictures being taken that sometimes i ask myself, are these pictures for me or for others...i guess for both..but honestly they should only be for oneself.
We came back to Saigon because Alma had to go back to HK. I am going north again..yes i know..its been crazy the amount of buses and trains i have taken in Vietnam...to meet my sister. Then Cambodia for three weeks and then BK again to make my way to Mongolia.
It is interesting how I now feel the bug, the desire to keep traveling..I did not understand it before, all the long term travelers i have talked to told me about it and now finally I understand..moving every day, living day by day, always knowing that ahead of you there is something else to discover..something new.
In Mui Ne and this morning I meet people I had met in Thailand and Laos. So fun to see people you shared a meal, a room, an afternoon with in the middle of a street in saigon.
I am looking forward to smaller cities, my entire trip is been along them and it is much nicer. BK, Saigon, they are huge.
Hue is waiting for me. Then I will cross the border to Cambodia through the north. A very sketchy and complicated border cross. The few people i know have done have told me the same thing. Expect longgg delays and overcharging for everything. From visas to transportation. I guess i just have to smile and thats it.
Next time from Hue.
Its been a about a week since last time i wrote. Alma could not fly to Laos because the tickets were too expensive so we decided to meet in Saigon.
What a crazy city. I thought Hanoi was crazy,well, this is a new level, after the peace and tranquility on Laos, to arrive here was like to be dropped in the middle of a motorcycle race. They are everywhere..everywhere. Luckily we already mastered the art of crossing the streets, but believe me, it is intense.
After spending one day here we headed to the delta of the mekong. What a disappointment. So far we have not done one single organized tour, we just went to the agency, ask about the places and then in our own do it, a much more rewarding experience. Here, for some reason we decided to do it with an agency and it was a bad idea. They took us to super touristy places and the things they promised, while true, were just ridiculous. After 4 hours, we decided to leave the tour and on our own continue the trip.
Because the weather was not the best, we decided to change directions and go north. We took a bus to Mui Ne. A very nice and relaxing beach 5 hours north of Saigon. Beautiful sand dunes, excellent food and more vietname people trying to rip us off every moment made for a very interesting trip.
After that, we went to Dalat, a city in the highlands and the first place in 4 months in which i have to wear a sweater. There we took a motorcycle tour around the region and it was incredible. Alma and i riding along coffee plantations, silk factories and the most beautiful pagoda I have visted so far.
When we arrived, women were doing their daily rituals and it was a magic moment. One of those where one feel that is better to leave it in your memory and not to spoil the moment by trying to take a picture. Also, I have come to realize thatthey are so many pictures being taken that sometimes i ask myself, are these pictures for me or for others...i guess for both..but honestly they should only be for oneself.
We came back to Saigon because Alma had to go back to HK. I am going north again..yes i know..its been crazy the amount of buses and trains i have taken in Vietnam...to meet my sister. Then Cambodia for three weeks and then BK again to make my way to Mongolia.
It is interesting how I now feel the bug, the desire to keep traveling..I did not understand it before, all the long term travelers i have talked to told me about it and now finally I understand..moving every day, living day by day, always knowing that ahead of you there is something else to discover..something new.
In Mui Ne and this morning I meet people I had met in Thailand and Laos. So fun to see people you shared a meal, a room, an afternoon with in the middle of a street in saigon.
I am looking forward to smaller cities, my entire trip is been along them and it is much nicer. BK, Saigon, they are huge.
Hue is waiting for me. Then I will cross the border to Cambodia through the north. A very sketchy and complicated border cross. The few people i know have done have told me the same thing. Expect longgg delays and overcharging for everything. From visas to transportation. I guess i just have to smile and thats it.
Next time from Hue.
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