Mekong Delta

Did a trip out to the Mekong Delta area. It was awesome. A beautiful area of Vietnam. We traveled between several different islands also saw various cottage industries and had a lovely lunch out there. We got to try many

different fruits. We hated our coconuts and spent an hour or so working out where to leave them behind without anyone noticing. Looking forward to our last day in Saigon tomorrow. There were various Vietnamese women who sang to us in between cleaning the tables and setting up for the next group of tourists. Everyone

works super hard here for very litte. Despite this the whole city is looking forward to celebrating Uncle Ho's 35th year of 'liberation'. Everything is being 'spruced up' no end.

Cu Chi Tunnels

We went out to the Cu Chi tunnels today. 250 km of tiny tunnels by which the Viet Cong moved all around this area. It is incredible to think that they lived down there for so many years. Children were born down there. we went down an enlarged version but I still felt claustrophobic and had to get out after 10 metres or so. John got stuck and is still down there!!! After the tunnels they show you how the VC lived and trained. Josh had the opportunity to fire off a real AK- 47 machine gun. Off course like a good mother I said, "okay, why not? You don't get to do this every day'. It was truly loud and not much fun for anyone except Josh. The kids loved the propaganda movie which they showed at the end of the tour, NOT!

Playing Frogger

Well we didn't get to the Cu Chi tunnels today. We have booked a tour for tomorrow and another tour out to the Mekong Delta, which I think Stacey recommended, for the following day. The fitness centre at our hotel turned out to be a single exercise bike built in 1958 so John and I decided to go walking this morning. It was a heart stopping exerience as we played frogger with the traffic crossing major (and minor) roads for an hour. We had fun finding all the historic sights around Saigon. We bought a bootleg Lonely Planet Vietnam for about $4.50 AU which has been invaluable. (Complete with photocopied notes from the original owner...) Our hotel is in a great location. Every time you turn a corner there is some famous landmark or other. The hotel is not luxurious for what we are paying (welcome to communism) but it is so quirky!!! Josh likes the buffet breakfast which is a feeding frenzy of an ethnic group which John has forbidden me to mention. The shopping here is very cheap. We are getting a great exchange rate of Dong to the Aussie dollar. Food is good too. Not as spicy as Thailand but you can't have everything. Kids are looking forward to getting home. Josh wants to see Issy and Maggie wants to see the animals. I can't wait to see Nikko!!!!! I have a picture of him on the camera which gets me through...

Good Morning Vietnam!!!

Left Bangkok yesterday for Vietnam using Asia air which is budget but okay. I met found m and m friends at the airport which made the transition for Thailand to Vietnam easier. When we got into Saigon it was almost dead, spooky experience to be in an almost shut down airport. Don't know if that is because of volcano in Europe or what is going on. John Loves Saigon. It is Thailand on steroids! It reminds me of Thailand 20 years ago before Thailand became safe and sanitised. Maggie absolutely hates it. She screams every time she has to cross the road which is admittedly a hair raising experience. There are so many scooters here and no lights to cross the roads. They swarmed around the taxi from the airport like a million ants. Our hotel is fantastic, The Palace Hotel, right in the centre of the historic old part of Saigon. I am reliving every minute of the Quiet American also Saigon, the Caravelle, Intercontinental and the Rex all near by. We walked to the Ben Thanh markets today. So hot and very crowded. They grab your arms and pull you into their stalls. Hard to believe people live and work in these conditions every day. Tomorrow I want to see the Chu Chi tunnels and the American Embassy. Loving Vietnam!

Back in Bangkok

We are back in Bangkok. It was touch and go leaving Jungle Club and making our ferry connection in time. We thought the bus we'd booked wasn't going to arrive despite numerous phone calls to the travel agent who kept reassuring us it was just on it's way. When we knew it couldn't possibly get around the island to the ferry on time (last one for the day) we were sick with worry. John was having a coronary by the side of the road. Even the evil taxi mafia were being helpful trying to ring our travel agent and see what was going wrong. Anyway, long story short it turned up, VERY late. They told us they would hold the ferry for us and guess what? Being Thailand, they did! I bet the other passengers had no idea why they were so late leaving. It was the usual hoo ha getting from ferry to train involving bus switching, songthaew and finally PUBLIC bus (yes you read right, I couldn't belive it either) for the last leg to the railway station. I took a photo of it.
Anyway early yesterday morning we got into Bangkok. We arrived by the night train which is really good and comfortable. Better than many European trains. We were able to check into our hotel straight away. It is called the Chateau de Bangkok which is a ridiculous name for a Thai hotel. I have rechristened it the Chateau de Chatelet (you need to know your Monty Python). It is near Sukhumvit Road which is an area of Bangkok I don't know so well, near sky train too. We went into the centre of Bangkok but kept being impeded by Red shirt protesters wherever we went. There are signs all over the hotel about the declared state of emergency and warning to stay away from the protests. This is hard to do as they are all over the streets and have gathered in momentum since we were last here. In fact we had to walk through the rally to get to our destination yesterday. This was not funny, especially with the kids in tow. There has been violence and killings a couple of days ago so althjogh I feel relatively safe I feel no where near as safe as 2 weeks ago. Bangkok is quiet (well as quiet as this city gets.) I assume people don't want to risk coming into the city. Our hotel is practically empty.

Finally I have taken a photo of the keyboard with Thai/English character which is a bit confusing (especially when the characters have worn off.) The Thai is the 'squiggles' in the bottom right hand corners.

Water!

Yesterday was SongKran proper. We spent the day hidden away at Jungle Club where we were safe from water bombers!!! Not quite all of us. Josh went up and down with the guys to collect the new guests. He got water bombed heaps. They also throw coloured talc. He had red all over him. It was noisy even up here. There were fireworks and lots of excitement. Josh is loving it here. It is a laid back rasta type place and is mostly run by young hip guys. He thinks it would be great to work here. (He mightn't like the wages too much...) I am going to have another go at uploading my video. I am not too hopeful as it is HUGE.

Song kran

We went down to Chaweng for the day to shop and check out Song Kran. I think Song Kran officially begins tomorrow but everyone is going wild already today. This is Thai new year. It is a water festival and is celebrated by throwing water onto unsuspecting passers by. Foreigners are the number one target. The water is ice cold. Sometimes they follow it up with talc to really leave you messy. It is SOOOOO HOT today. Muggy too. Kids stalk you with giant super soakers. Shop keepers indulge in across the street water battles. You have to laugh as it is all meant to be fun. Last time John got his passport soaked so this year we are being more careful. I am also going to try and upload a video of Jungle Club which I took on our new camera. (I'm getting cocky now!!!) We are at JC for a couple more days before taking the night train back to Bangkok. It's BK for a couple of days then on to Vietnam, yay! Having trouble uploading video. will that bit again later

Jungle Hut

Okay, this is our favourite place in all of Thailand to stay. It is a bit of a bother to get to but worth it. Jungle hut is probably the only reason we still keep coming back to Samui. This place is away from the beach high on the mountain and overlooks a stunning coastline. Although the road is improved since our last visit it still only accessable to 4 wheel drive and even then is a hair raising trip. Once you arrive you are in paradise.

The infinity pool is just glorious and is where most of the guests spend their time. Our villa is just set down a little from here. It has views of endless ocean, the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea and coastline of Samui. You can lie in the hammock and just chill, read or sample the Thai beers if you prefer... John suggests all of the above. Maggie has renewed here friendhip with the French/Thai girl who is daughter of the owners of Jungle Club. As far as I can tell her name is Chilli. This may not be correct because I thought for the last 4 1/2 years that her brother was called Bobo and Maggie told me last night he is called Thae Wee.

The only bad thing about Jungle Club is it is no longer a secret. People come up for the day to chill by the pool. This disturbs the quiet ambience somewhat but hey, it's an imperfect world. We are doing the best we can to enjoy it anyhow!!!

Koh Samui

It is super hot even for Koh Samui. We have been here several times now over the years and it is the hottest I can remember it. We have spent a lot of time at the beach and at the hotel pool. The hotel is sooo quirky. It has strange little touches in unexpected places all over. We arrrived hot, late and tired after getting lost. The place is like an old Thai teak house, really charming. The place has an amazing pool that looks out across Lamai beach and township. Tomorrow we move out of this place to Chaweng. Luckily not the beach which is really crass and touristy but to the Jungle Club which is a tiny boutique hotel in the hills high above. We went here once before, magic! Today we decided to walk out to a local waterfall. Bad idea! It was much further than I first thought so we took a songthaew out to it. Once we were dropped off it was a long walk up a vertical hill. The kids skipped along. John and I nearlly died!!! Once we got there it was lovely. Same story on the way back. took ages to flag a songthaew down on the way back. Interesting just walking along the road. I saw a fat blade of green grass that turned into a green snake on the way. You play Russian Roulette walking along the roads in Thailand. There are no footpaths so you basically walk along the road whike trucks, motorbikes and cars hurtle past you at 250 kmh. Don't turn around at the wrong moment....

Bus Travel In Thailand

Khao Lak to Koh Samui is right across the country. At this part of Thailand it is not so far across as the crow flies but where there is a baht to be made (and there are many) the Thais manage to turn this trip into an epic journey. We began our trip at 8am with a small mini bus from Khao Lak. It was a windy 1 and 1/2 hour journey to Krabi. The road was beautiful and mountainous. Very windy and Maggie was sick along the way. We stopped off part way for toilet break (squat) and eats. At Krabi we were all told to get off the bus. "Everyone out, out!" From here the passengers all disperse to different parts of Thailand. It is basically a waiting depot. You are given a coloured sticker according to your destination. You feel like cattle in a cattle yard of back packers. Your 'brand' is a massive B for Thai Baht. After 10 minutes or so a songthaew turned up. At first I thought we were doing the rest of our trip on this. It took us to another cattle yard (I mean bus depot) still in Krabi but about another 10 minutes away. Every place you wait you are encouraged to spend, spend, toilet, drink, food, accommodation at your destination etc. Finally our next bus arrived, large and decrepit. It took ages to make the trip to Surat Thani. It was stuffed with back packers and flash packers (that's our demographic, aging BP's with more cash.) It also transformed at some point into a local bus picking up locals all along the way. It noted 152 km to Surat Thani when we left Krabi then 148km on the outskirts of Krabi. I went to sleep and when I woke up 1/2 hr later it was 152km to Surat Thani!!! (Bus trip to Hell!!) Finally we arrived at Surat Thani. The bus doesn't take you directly to the ferry. It goes right into town to, you guessed it, another bus depot where you wait and wait for another bus to the ferry. BTW Surat Thani is probably the most boring town in Thailand. Of course while you wait you are encouraged to buy, buy again. Everyone has an angle. Finally the last bus rolls

up. This is the worst of the lot. It stank (of unmentionables). My seat was by a window where my head proceeded to cook for a whole hour. We arrived on the dot of 4 pm while a Thai guy literally screamed at us, "Get off the bus! get OFF THE BUS!!! Ferry leaving now, NOW!" We ran to ferry and threw backpacks and kids down onto gang plank. That was the worst of the journey over. The ferry to Samui was lovely. Samui always looks beautiful from a distance and some parts are still beautiful close up too. We had dramas finding our accommodation but it was worth it. It is probably the quirkiest place in Lamai. Josh said Issy would love it. Will share all in an upcoming post.

Easter Morning in Khao Lak

Happy Easter morning from Khao Lak! Our last day here. Great place but nothing to do but laze around eat and drink. On to Koh Samui tomorrow. I hope the bus and ferry connections match up okay. This doesn't always happen. Thai's aren't phased. I'm sure we will be okay one way or the other. Still need to sort out accomodation too. Nothing sems very full here so we shouuld be able to bargain for a good rate in KS if same.

James Bond Island

Today we went out to James Bond Island. It is the island in the man with the golden gun. It was very beautiful. First we went out to the island. Technically we went to the island next door

so we could take photos. Next we went on sea kayaks. They go into these really inaccessable caves so you have to crouch really low. Josh kept putting his head up, major stress. After that we went to a Muslim village for lunch. The whole town is built on stilts over the sea. We got to have our photo taken with a monkey wearing a nappy, lucky us!!! Later we went to a monkey temple which is really a Buddhist temple repackaged to be accessable to non buddhists like us. By the way Nikko did you notice we have a new pet? A cute monkey since you don't love us any more????!

Maggie Turns 12!!!!

Maggie had a lovely birthday doing all her favourite things. She swam in the pool. She ordered all her favourite things and has been thoroughly spoilt. We organised a birthday cake through the hotel which she loved. She hasn't decided what to spend her birthday money on yet. (Thanks Grandmas.)

Bus Trip To Khao Lak

Left Bangkok lateish because Josh went to get a haircut in Mah boon krong. It took hours. They cut it strand by strand. Shampoo wash, pamper pamper. All for less than $7 aust. It took the taxi ages to get us down to the southern bus terminal. It is so far out of Bangkok and the traffic was at it's worst. Once we got on the bus my anxiety levels went down. We have been on Thai long distance buses before. They are so funny because they act like you are on a flight complete with hosties and little meals. Towels to refresh, the works. The hostie wore a uniform like the 1960's uniform in 2001 a space odyssey. The bus left after 7.30. It seems quite roomy and comfy to start with after a few hours you wonder how you will ever stand a night of it. Eventually we got to sleep only to be woken in the middle of the night. Goodness knows where. Everyone off the bus for quick food break then on again to start the falling asleep stuff all over again. The highlight was they show Thai soapies!!! We got to KhaoLak (which is really a very big area of coast) about 7 the next morning. Luckily we spotted our turn off so we were able to get dropped quite close to our hotel. Khao Lak is quite isolated and beautiful. Only downside is it is full of Germans. (Sorry Mum) more Germans than Thais and the Thais speak German like natives (German natives that is.)