Treasure of Mekong tours in Vietnam

16 days -15 nights: Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh - Siem ReapDay 1: Luang Prabang - Arrival (D)Upon arrival at the airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos . After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave - Kuangsi Water Fall (B/L)After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, return to the city by late evening, for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.Day 3: Luang Prabang - Hanoi (B/L)Free time for relax until time for transfering to airport for flight to Hanoi. Once again our guide will meet you and transfer you to Hanoi city. Lunch at local restaurant before check-in at hotel. After two or more hours relax, our cyclo tour do not make you more tired but more relax. After one hour ride around the trading area in Hanoi Old Quarter, the cyclo will stop you at Ngoc Son Temple for a short visit, then take one minute walk to Thang Long theatre for Water Puppet show. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.Day 4: Hanoi (B/L)In the morning to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, Quan Thanh temple, Army Museum and Hanoi Flag Tower. Time for lunch and check-out. In the afternoon, visit Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (The First National University established in 1076). The next visiting place should be the Museum of Vietnam Ethnology in Cau Giay District or just go shopping around Silk shops and Art shops in Hang Gai street. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)Today we leave Hanoi to Halong Bay, "Dragon Descending to the Sea". Upon arrival, we will embark to a junk /boat for a cruise around Ha Long Bay. While the junk cruising caves, grottoes, floating villages and beaches on Ha Long bay, having fresh seafood lunch on boat. Stop for a while for an excursing to Surprise Caves, (Grotto of Surprises) and Swimming, Kayaking (kayak cost is not include in this package) if weather permitted. Have dinner on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (if weather permitted). Overnight on board.Day 6: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B/L)In the morning, cruising more in the Halong bay before return to the Halong pier. Having lunch in Halong before return back Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.Day 7: Hanoi - Hue (B/L)Free time in the morning before transfer to the airport of Hanoi for noon flight to Hue. Transfer to a local restaurant in the city for lunch before check in. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the Imperial Citadel, constituted from the Real Fortress and the Forbidden City, and the market of Dong Ba. Overnight in Hue.Day 8: Hue - Hoi An (B/L)In morning we embark on a dragon boat sail along the Huong River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, and the tomb of Khai Dinh Kinh. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Hoi An through the famous of Hai Van Pass. Passing Danang, the car will stop for the visit to Cham Museum. Cham Museum is the open air collection of Cham sculpture. Overnight in Hoi An.Day 9: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City B/L)In the morning, you will walk to visit ancient tiny town Hoi An. The visit will includes Japanese covered bridge, some Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical Vietnamese houses of 18 century. In the afternoon, transfer to Danang Airport for evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi (B/L)In the morning drive to Cu Chi, one incredible city basement constituted from one series of tightened tunnel, used from the Vietcong during the war with the Americans. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon pause to the colonial buildings of Saigon like the Independent Palace, Post Office and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho (L)Our car will pick up at your hotel in early morning. Upon arrival at Cai Be, embark a private boat to cruise around Cai Be Floating Market to see local people being selling, buying, exchanging goods from their boats. Visit local garden and house to see orchard, rice crisped producing process, .. After lunch taking a cruise along river to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural natural setting of Mekong Delta region. About 3 pm, the boat will arrival at Vinh Long, walking around to explore Vinh Long Market. Then transfer to Can Tho City. Over night in Can Tho. Day 12: Can Tho - Cai Rang - Chau Doc (B/L)Cruising along the small and picturesque tributaries by boat, we will see the Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats). Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals who lives along the Mekong canals and you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles making shop. Then continue going to Chau Doc via Long Xuyen. Check in on arrival. Visit the Sam mountain to enjoy the a breath-taking view on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border with flat rice fields and nice canals, visit caved pagoda. Over night in Chau Doc.Day 13: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh (B/L)In morning departure in boat to Phnom Penh going back one of the arms of the Mekong. Arrival and lunch. In the afternoon, visits of the city, in particular of the National Museum, rich art of Khmer, of the Silver Pagoda, inserted in the fencing of the Royal Palace, Preahkeo Morokot & Central Market. Overnight in Phnom Penh.Day 14: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/L)In morning departure by flight to Siem Reap and transfer your hotel in the city. Angkor, luminous understood them of the great reign Khmer, is one of more important testimonies that the human genius knew to create in the field of the limbs, the architecture and the urban planning. Lunch at local restaurant. Then start tour to visit famous temple Angkor Wat with enjoying sunset from top of Bakheng Hill. Overnight in Siem Reap.Day 15: Siem Reap - Angkor Complex (B/L/D)Breakfast at hotel, then visit the Angkor Thom: South Gate, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King and Phimean Akas temple. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, transfer to visit Angkor Ruins: Thommanom, chao Say Tevoda, Takeo, Ta Prom, Banteay Kdey and Sras Srang until Sunset. Dinner at local restaurant with Apsaras show & overnight in Siem Reap.Day 16: Siem Reap - Departure (B)After breakfast, transfer to take the Tonlé Sap for a cruise on the lake with the visiting to floating village to explore the fish man life. Then visit Chantier Ecole-Artisant d’Angkor. Free time for shopping before departure home.Type of tour: - Private tour. (This is the sample tour, you may go with all details above or we can modify to fix your way of travel) - Easy tourDeparture: Any dayFeature of tour: This Indochina vacation tour organize for travelers, who want to know the charmng of Angkor - Siem Reap and charming of Vietnam. You will understand Cambodia and Vietnam with:- Our history- Our literature- Our religious

Vietnam travel in brief 05/09

Mui Ne attracts more visitors
Domestic and foreign travelers are increasingly flocking to Mui Ne in Binh Thuan Province. According to the provincial tourism authority, the coastal city received more than 35,000 guests during the recent extended holiday weekend from last Friday to Tuesday.

In the first eight months of the year, some 1.3 million people made their way to Binh Thuan, a year-on-year increase of 14 per cent. About 125,000 of them were foreign tourists from Germany, Russia, Australia and the US, among others.
Quang Ngai hosts Korea-VN festival
The Central province of Quang Ngai is hosting a four-day cultural exchange festival beginning today to showcase Quang Ngai’s cultural highlights and Jeju Island, a self-governing province in South Korea.
Local artists will recite traditional Vietnamese poetry, play music and exhibit local artwork. Panpipe and gong performances will be also featured. Ethnic H’re musicians will play kaleu folk songs accompanied by their traditional ching and aradon musical instruments.
Festival-goers can get a look at a traditional Jeju house, notable for lacking any front door or gate. A photo exhibitition will flaunt Jeju’s natural beauty with shots of Mount Halla, South Korea’s highest peak.
A photo exhibition highlights Jeju’s natural beauty with shots of the Dolharbang Grandfather Stone, Baeknok Lake, Manjanggul Lava Tube Cave and Mount Halla.
Jeju’s Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes were recognised by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site last year.
Eco-tourism tour in central province
The Nuoc Mooc eco-tourism site in Quang Binh Province opened to visitors last Saturday.
Some 30 km from world natural heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Nuoc Mooc boasts spectacular natural landscapes such as the Gio (Wind) Waterfalls and other ecotourism potentials.
To mark the occasion, a drive for locals and visitors to vote for the park as one of the world’s natural wonders was launced.
Ben Thanh Tourist’s honeymoon tours
Ho Chi Minh City-based Ben Thanh Tourist is promoting special honeymoon tours to central and northern provinces. Couples looking for sand and surf can choose from tours to Hoi An, Nha Trang, or Halong Bay, while those in the mood to escape the heat would enjoy the Da Lat tour.
The tours cater to couples who do not want to travel alone rather than with large tour groups, and are tailored to suit customers depending on how much time they want to spend with other tourists and how much time they want to explore the cities on their own.
Dinner parties with candles, flowers and wine can be arranged for couples, who will receive special gifts, such as fruit and flowers in their room, as part of the package.
HaLong Bay drops in popularity
Halong Bay has fallen to 16th place on an online poll of the top 77 vote-getting natural wonders at www.new7wonder.com. This is the fourth consecutive drop in the last month.
Taking the lead in the race to become one of the new seven world natural wonders is Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar. Bangladesh’s neighbour India has two spots in the top 15: Sundarbans Forest at 2nd place and the Ganges River at 14th.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is calling for domestic and overseas tourists to vote for Halong Bay. If it drops out of the top 21 before the end of the year, it will be ousted from the poll.
Vietnam culinary and art week in Bangkok
Bangkok got a taste of Vietnamese cuisine and culture at an exhibition last week.
The Vietnamese Modern and Classic Culinary&Art Week served up a Vietnamese buffet at Thailand’s Triple Two Hotel, courtesy of Vietnamese chefs from Que Huong – Liberty hotels, Metropole Hotel and Madagui Theme Park. Photos and drawings of Vietnam’s landscape and people were on hand.
The cultural event, which ran from August 22-31, was part of a co-operation programme between the Thai Narai Hotel and the Vietnamese Que Huong Liberty Group.

VIETNAM TRAVEL IN BRIEF 30 - 8 - 2008

Thac Bo Temple Thac Bo Temple recognizes historic culture relic Hoa Binh’s People’s Committee has just issued the decision No.1858/QD-UBND that recognizes Thac Bo Temple as a provincial historic cultural relic. Thac Bo Temple is located in the Vay Nua Commune of Da Bac District in the northern province of Hoa Binh. Hoa Binh authorities expect to attract more visitors after this important announcement.
Every year, over 1 million visitors come to Thac Bo Temple. At present, the Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Hoa Binh is working on a campaign to develop tourism for Hoa Binh Lake. The authority is waiting for the decision from the Government to recognize Hoa Binh Lake as a national tourist area.

Corn noodles of Phu Yen

Corn noodles are made from corn and is very delicious and sweet-tasting if noodle makers use the corn from the Tuy An and Dong Xuan areas of the central province of Phu Yen.

For a long time, corn noodles were a traditional product of the Tuy An people. Over 90 percent of the population of Tuy An made corn noodles however in modern times young people have not followed family traditions. At present, only a few families remain making crn noodles in this area.

Visitors will have a chance to taste corn noodles during festivals or Lunar New Year. Corn noodle soup is quite different from other soups as the soup is cooked with Giang leaf and goby fish which is caught at the O Loan lagoon. If one doesn’t have the time to follow the traditional recipe, mixing fish sauce with chili then adding the mixed fish sauce to the broth and the corn noodles will make a satisfactory variation.

Those who travel to Phu Yen shouldn’t miss the opportunity to taste the corn noodle soup at the Chi Thanh market in the An Dan commune.

US$100mil tourism complex to be built in Thua Thien-Hue
The Thua Thien-Hue Province administration has approved development of a giant tourism complex on Con Son Island that will have residential and amusement facilities.
To be built by the Vietnam Construction and Technology Development Joint Stock Company, the complex will have an urban zone, resort, five-star hotel, theater, exhibition and convention center, tennis courts, luxury villas, and water sport and aquatic entertainment facilities on a 200-hectare area in Thuan An town.
To cost VND1.6 trillion (nearly US$100 million), it will be developed in three stages from 2009 to 2015.
AirAsia launches 1 million free seats
AirAsia - the largest and leading low-cost carrier in Asia- will be giving away 1 million free seats for all its domestic and international destinations from all of its seven hubs primarily in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor), Thailand (Bangkok) and Indonesia (Jakarta and Bali).
This free seat campaign includes over 105 routes in Asean, and China network including AirAsia X’s long haul destinations. Some of the hottest international destinations included in this campaign and which only AirAsia flies directly from Kuala Lumpur are Makassar, Manado, Solo, Krabi, Chiang Mai, the newly launched Guilin, Shenzhen, Haikou, Bandung and Vientiane.
Other destinations include Bali, Jakarta, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Macau, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and many others. And to make the deal sweeter, AirAsia’s new destinations like Perth and Melbourne (Australia) serviced by AirAsia X are also included in this free seat campaign.
The free seats are available for the following booking period from 26 – 31 August 2008 and travel period from 1 April to 31 July 2009
This 6 days offer is available exclusively online at www.airasia.com
Quang Ninh greets over 3.5 million tourists in first 8 months
Quang Ninh Province’s Culture, Sport and Tourism Department said that the province had attracted an additional 1.7 million tourists over the past eight months, contributing to increasing the number tourists visiting the province to 3.5 million for the period.
In August, Quang Ninh welcomed nearly 360,000 tourists. Total turnover from tourism reached an estimated nearly VND 1.7 trillion in the first eight months this year. Mr. Le Toan, the Director of the Quang Ninh Provincial Culture, Sport and Tourism Department said this is the largest-ever number in economic terms.
In spite of having only been in operation for a short time, the establishment of Quang Ninh Province’s Culture, Sport and Tourism Department has helped the province’s culture and sport sectors connect to tourism activities, and the province’s tourism is expected to continue to prosper in the future.
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts begins operations in Vietnam
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ first foray into Asia’s hottest hotel development market centres on the country’s very first upscale property.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, a Swiss hotel chain with more than 90 hotels existing or under construction worldwide, made Ho Chi Minh City’s five-star accommodation scene this month by assuming management of the Omni Hotel Saigon, which opened in 1994 as the city’s inaugural international-standard hotel.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ arrival in Ho Chi Minh City is the first in a series of steps the group plans for a country that welcomed more than four million visitors in 2007—a 16 percent increase over the previous year. A similar overhaul-and-operate strategy has been scheduled for the former Guoman Hotel in Hanoi starting in January, as well as the development and handling of up to three more hotels in Vietnam by 2010.
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1973 and moved into Germany in 1980. In 2003, it was recognised as the “fastest growing hotel chain in the Middle East” at the World Travel Market in London.
The business began its Asian expansion in 2006, when it signed a management agreement with a hotel in Bangalore, India, and assumed operations of a holiday resort in Phuket, Thailand. Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ current plans for this region include adding three or more properties to its portfolio in Vietnam.
Vietnam-RoK charity golf tournament helps homeless people
A Vietnam-RoK charity golf tournament will be held in northern mountainous Phu Tho province to raise funds for homeless people, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam announced on August 30.
The tournament, the first of its kind in Vietnam , will take place at the Tam Dao Golf Course on September 2 and is expected to draw the participation of RoK Ambassador Im Hong Jae and businesses from the two countries.
The organising board said it hopes the event will help attract more attention and support from businesses for charitable activities. The board has so far raised over 10,000 USD in support for the local homeless.
The tournament is organised by the RoK’s Pang Rim Neotex Co. Ltd, a fibre material company operating in Phu Tho province.
(Source: SGGP, ND, CPV, VNA)

Sapa Information

Despite its commercialization during the last seven years, Sapa is still a must-see on any northern Vietnam itinerary. On a clear day you will treated to views of steeply terraced rice fields, towering verdant ridgelines, primitive mud-thatched villages, raging rivers and astounding waterfalls.
Nestled high in the Tonkinese Alps near the Chinese border, Sape was built as a hill station during French colonial days, to serve as a respite from stifling Hanoi summers. These days, weekends are still the biggest draw in this crumbling hill-tribe center. Visitors from the capital flock to Sapa for a glimpse of the famed "Love Market," a trek to local hill tribe villages, or an ascent of Vietnam's highest peak, Fan Si Pan.
Some eight ethnic groups inhabit Lao Cai province: Hmong, Dao, White Thai, Giay, Tay, Muong, Hao and Xa Pho. The most prominent in town are the Red Dao, easily identified by the coin-dangling red headdresses and intricately embroidered waistcoats worn by the women, and the Hmong, distinguished by their somewhat less elaborately embroidered royal blue attire. Groups of ethnic Hmong youngsters and women can be seen hauling impossibly heavy, awkward baskets of wood, stakes, bamboo, bricks, mud and produce. Deep in the valleys surrounding Sapa, the Muong Hoa River sluices a wild, jagged course among Giay, Red Dao and White Thai settlements, their tiny dwellings poking out of the neon rice fields like diamonds on a putting green. One- to four-day treks are offered by a handful of outfitters. Guests sleep in tents or in the homes of villagers, their gear hauled by Hmong porters. Be warned: Despite what the local innkeepers will tell you, both the Hmong and the Dao really do not enjoy having their photographs taken unless they're paid for it. It's a certainty that any brochure you see of smiling, care-free ethnic hill people was shot under a Screen Actors Guild contract. Sa pa is famed for its "Love Market" – sort of a cross between a peacock mating ritual, a Middle Eastern arms bazaar, an Amish square dance, a bad Pavarotti concert and Bangkok's Patpong (except here the people wear clothes). On Saturday nights, Red Dao hill tribe youths of both sexes congregate in a weekly courting rite, singing tribal versions of Loretta Lynn love songs to woo the opposite sex. The songs are highly personalized and boast of the composer's physical attributes, domestic abilities and strong work ethic. While Dao women are indeed highly industrious, the men, it seems, prefer to spend most of their time drinking, smoking opium or sleeping, only occasionally slapping the rump of a lethargic bovine moving more slowly than they are. Few of their songs, though, are about drinking, smoking opium, sleeping or slapping rumps.
Topping out at 3,143 meters, Fan Si Pan has become the Mount Everest of Vietnam, with queues of yuppie trekkers in their latest TravelSmith "totally-packable" rainwear forming mountaineering traffic jams at base camps. Footprint Travel can arrange guided ascents. Sapa itself is a somewhat bedraggled village meshing crumbling, mildewed French colonial architecture with the pencil-thin, brick-and-concrete mini-hotels that have become so ubiquitous in recent years all across Vietnam. This neglected, cultural mishmash would be an eyesore in any place less spectacularly scenic than Sapa. Because of its Shangri-la-like setting, Sapa actually seems quaint – a tranquil, restful village. Which is, of course,
Sources: Sapa Vietnam
http://www.footprintsvietnam.com/destination_sapa_mountains.htm
what the French originally intended the place to be. Amenities are limited unless you choose to stay at the Four Star Victoria Sapa, a sprawling alpine campus nestled discreetly into a hillside in the center of town. More

Sapa Easy Trek 3 days

Sapa Easy Trek 3 days
Feature: This is a perfect combination of trek and culture while visiting the hill tribes’ villages at a pace and style that compliments you. Journey away from the crowds and homestay a traditional Dao home. Learn and participate in village life and truly feel the warmth and hospitality of these incredible people. This is an unforgettable soft adventure to Sapa that should be part of everyone’s time in Vietnam, yet probably only offered by Footprint.

Sapa is a special place with an energy like no other. Take advantage of the secret spots we take you to, and make this an adventure you will never forget. This is the way travel truly should be.Difficulty: (2/5)

Itinerary in Detail:
Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa, trek to Ta Phin
trek to Ta phin Sapa Lao CaiThe Night Before: Transfer from your hotel to the Hanoi Train Station for boarding at 9:30 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabins of 4 to travel North to Lao Cai town.

Today’s Morning: The train arrives in Lao Cai at about 6:30 am where your Footprint guide will welcome you. Look for the “Footprint Travel” sign when you exit the train station. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car / van to Sapa (about 1.5 hours).

When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast. Then we will take a short ride from Sapa to our trekking base where we start our trek through terraced rice fields and Hmong villages. Chances to meet and talk with locals working in the fields are plentiful. We will break for a picnic lunch en route then continue trekking to Ta Phin village of the Dao people (4 hours). Your Dao host family will warmly welcome you to their traditional home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night.

Included: Transfers, train tickets, tour guide, morning shower, all meals, entrance fees, homestay
Day 2: More trekking and back to SapaMore trekking and back to Sapa At the first of gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join them in some of their activities, like feeding the animals; cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we will complete our trek on a valley route to the main road (4 hours) linking Lao Cai and Sapa. Alternatively, for this long trek, you can choose to take a short morning wander around the village for about 1 hour, resulting in more time spent with the host family and other villagers. For both options, you will be supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes).

When we arrive back in Sapa we will check in to the hotel, shower, and break for lunch. At 2:30 pm we will visit the gardens of beautiful Ham Rong mountain & take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people. Then return at your own leisure with free time to discover the secrets of this colorful town. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa town.

Included: Transfer(s), tour guide, breakfast, entrance fee(s), hotelDay 3: A visit Sin Chai village, Sapa – Lao Cai & night train to Hanoi
Sapa night train to Hanoi

Wake up in Sapa town, breakfast at the hotel then enjoy the morning with some of your new friends that you may have met the afternoon before. You have the entire morning and lunch for free time and visiting the lively markets. At 2:00 pm travel by car/van to visit the Hmong village of Sin Chai to learn more about the Hmong people in an area close to the tourist path but still untouched.

Sources: Sapa Easy Trek 3 days
You will return to Sapa in late afternoon and finally depart for the Lao Cai train station at 5:30 pm. The train leaves Lao Cai at 8:50 pm and arrives after a pleasant sleep in your first class, shared AC soft berth to Hanoi by 4:30 am. Please find your own way to your hotel, a taxi normally costs you a set of 50,000 VND.

More sapa tours Sapa Tours

Until Next Time Vietnam...

The cycling part of my last journal entry finished on somewhat of a sour note due to the fact that I had ingested more mountain dirt than food over the previous three days. However, I said that I would look forward to better days and fortunately they arrived sooner rather than later.When I hit the road again, the sensation of the super smooth surface beneath my wheels felt so unfamiliar that I thought that something was wrong with the King Brown. The sight of three lanes in each direction plus a shoulder wide enough to be another lane was equally unfamiliar, so much so that I thought that I must still be fast asleep and dreaming in my hotel bed. However, as per usual, the King Brown was running to perfection and I was well and truly awake with a feeling akin to that which a baseballer gets when he warms up with three bats and then goes out to bat with one; my legs felt lighter and the road passed beneath me with ease. Cycling had become enjoyable again.After a few days of these much improved conditions, I rolled into Mai Chau on the back of a 20km downhill. A town much like any other in rural Vietnam, Mai Chau sees its fair share of visitors due to the fact that the local White Thai tribes have opened their homes up to tourists as guesthouses. I found myself in a beautiful wooden and bamboo home complete with a balcony overlooking the vast rice fields in the valley below where local villagers toiled beneath the huge mountains towering above. The accommodation was authentic, meaning basic. My bed consisted of a mat on the floor of a large communal bamboo-floored room, but it came with all the creature comforts one needs including electricity and cold beer. In any case, I spent the majority of my time there lounging in the balcony hammock, which is the most under-utilised piece of furniture in the world, particularly in Oz where the climate just screams for them.For anyone feeling a bit stressed or suffering from anxiety, my suggestion would be to forget shrinks and prescription drugs and to buy a hammock and stretch out for half an hour a day because once snug in that cocoon, it is impossible to do anything but relax.I could have spent quite some time in such a chilled-out, slow-paced and downright beautiful environment, but i wanted to be in Hanoi for Christmas where I was to meet cousin Luke. Besides, I would be passing through this way again in not too long.Seeing Luke step out of his airport taxi after fumbling with all of his dong as he paid the driver, was fantastic. We gave eachother a typical awkward, manly, half-handshake, half-hug that put our inhibitions on display, went for some noodle soup and a much-needed chat and a laugh (it's ok, I made him give me a decent embrace a couple of days later in the street).With Luke just finishing another year at uni and me having been on the road for six months, we felt the need to celebrate and soon became creatures of the night, returning to our hotel at 7, 8, 9am and sleeping until dusk. This meant seeking out the pubs and clubs that remained open late, either defying local law or simply paying off those who enforced it. These establishments gave the outward appearance of being closed, but upon opening the door, one would find groups of rowdy, drunken backpackers playing jenga, seasoned travellers with blackened feet laying on cushions smoking sheesha while listening to Bob Marley or a bunch of baby boomer expats rocking out to a DVD of a live concert by The Who.Whatever the crowd, there was always a good night to be had.Christmas in Hanoi was somewhat of a non-event with a few decorations placed on shopfronts to gratify the tourists, so it was good to see that New Years was widely celebrated and done so in style. Luke and I ended up at Titanic, a floating nightclub in a beautiful setting on the Red River. In saying that, not much time was spent enjoying the scenery, at least not the type that didn't shake their stuff on the dance floor. It turned out to be a fantastic party; the music was pumping, there was plenty of dancing to be had and the crowd was a very friendly mix of Hanoians and Westerners. It was a great way to bring in the massive year of 2008!It also marked a turning point for Luke and I whereby we decided to try and get back to some kind of normality and see Hanoi during the light of day. This meant engaging in some slightly more tame, though no less enjoyable, activites such as visiting the botanical gardens and hiring a giant swan in which we pedalled around West Lake, something we both agreed was very romantic.I also used this recovery time to do something I haven't done in two years; get a haircut. So in true Vietnamese style, I sat out on the footpath looking into a mirror that leant against a concrete wall while my barber/bia hoi drinking buddy, Cuong, removed the locks I had worked so hard for. By the time it was over I looked like a cross between a paedophile on crimestoppers, a teenage goth and Prince Valiant, but what do you expect for $1?Finally, we decided it was time to take our leave from Hanoi where the weather over the previous two weeks had been overcast, grey and often downright cold, in search of sunshine and open spaces. Luke signed up for a tour of Halong Bay while I pedalled off in the direction of the Laos border. We met again 10kms from Mai Chau when I saw Luke hanging out of a bus window as it crawled past me on the steep incline of a mountain. I whizzed by it 15 minutes later going down the other side.Luke took to Mai Chau as much as I had, for this was his first sight of rural Vietnam, which is in total contrast to the urban parts of the country. As we sat on the patio enjoying a cold Tiger, he decided that we should climb one of the mountains that stood over us in the distance. He assured me that he could see a path leading to the top, though try as I might, I could see no such path, only dense jungle on steep mountain slopes.Regardless, the following day we set out under the midday sun and proceeded to climb Luke's path, that was in fact a dried creek bed. It ended up being a challenging though rewarding hike that provided great views over the plains below and the rolling hills beyond. We did have aspirations to reach the summit, but no matter how many times we walked for "just 15 more minutes" amongst foliage that was getting thicker and thicker, it never appeared to get any closer. So eventually, satisfied and buggered, we began the slippery descent.We parted ways again the next day as Luke stayed behind to attempt to buy a motorbike so that he could follow his dream of riding in front of me while I choked on his exhaust. We are still yet to meet up again and I'm not sure exactly where he is, but I know he successfully crossed the border on a moto because the Lao immigration officer had no problem with me going through his documents.After a couple of days of tough riding through the scorching hot mountainside where the jungle was as dense as anywhere I've been, I arrived at the tiny, little-used border town of Nam Xoi. The following morning, after four months or two-thirds of my entire time on tour, I farewelled Vietnam......................just as I was starting to get used to being constantly felt-up aswell.Perhaps it's the close living quarters or the tight family and community ties, but something I have noticed throughout my travels is that the people within these asian cultures are far more affectionate towards one another than those of us in the West. It is not uncommon to see two male friends walking down the street with their arms around one another or five crammed onto a bench that should really only seat three or two girls holding hands while riding their bicycles home from school. It is only in Vietnam however, that this physical affection has been extended to me, usually from men who have just had their daily quota of rice wine.It would start when they noticed my hairy arms, which they would all take turns to stroke and compare to their own hairless limbs. They would then move down to my calves and thighs, which would be cause for particular excitement if they knew I was a cyclist. They would give them a firm, tight squeeze and make strange grunting noises. If I was lucky, that would be the extent of the encounter that left me feeling like some exotic animal in a petting zoo. If not, I would soon find hands reaching down my shirt to caress the curls of my hairy chest.Even after the initial excitement, hands would linger and it would not be uncommon for me to be sitting around a table, being practically forced to down shots of rice wine (just what I needed at 9am to wash down my breakfast before a big ride) while the man next to me stroked my thigh beneath my shorts.There will be things I will miss about Vietnam and there will definitely be things I won't, this experience encompasses both sides of that spectrum.Most notably, what I will miss is the amazingly diverse scenery and the equally diverse inhabitants of these places, from beautiful, white-sand beaches to lush, thick, green jungle to vast rice plains to enormously overbearing mountains to the absolutely unique characteristics of The Gulf of Tonkin. It truly has been second to none for the tour and I am so thankful that I've had the opportunity to experience it all on such an intimate level.Goodbye Vietnam.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia Day 2

I slept till pretty late today because Makara said she will only come and pick me at 1pm. I really didn't want to go out so I stayed in to catch up on my blog. I ordered some room service in and basically just waited. I was quite happy to see that one of the cable channels my hotel has is Channel News Asia. I’m a big fan and they’ve got some pretty good documentaries. Plus, they have Singapore's Channel 8 as well at night. I'm not sure why only at night but hey, better then nothing.Anyway, Makara came quite late. When she came, it was about 3pm. She told me there was someone who wanted to meet me and we were going to meet her before going to see Naomi. It turns out it was my ex student who wanted to meet me. For those who don’t know, I worked in Phnom Penh for about 4months teaching English to ladies from the ages of 18-25. This ex student, her name is Kanga. She is studying economics at Norton University. She was one of my better students in class. We met her just opposite her school at one of the Campus Crusade for Christ’s branches. She is currently working as a volunteer at CCC in the afternoons after school.Me and KangaAfter meeting Kanga, we left to go to Naomi’s house. Naomi used to be the administrator at the school I taught in. Now she has left to teach in another school. We were pretty close when I was in Phnom Penh. So it was a good time just catching with each other. We were at her place pretty long…at least for 2hours or more. I had bought a hamper for Naomi and her son Kevan was so excited and kept wanting to open it because he saw the tibits inside. His mother was so embarassed and kept asking him to stop. It was dark when we prepared to leave. As we were putting on our shoes preparing to leave, Makara couldn’t find her shoes. It turns out Sophie, Naomi’s daughter, likes to hide people’s shoes around the house. So all of us went searching round the house for Makara’s shoes. It was about ten minutes later when Sophie found her shoes behind some potted plants. Once Makara wore her shoes, we left.Naomi, her daughter Sophie, her son Kevan and me.Since Makara had to go home for dinner, I went to the nearby internet shop near my hotel to use the internet and print some stuff. I was there from 1930 to about 2300. By the time I left, I couldn’t find anywhere serving food so I went back to the hotel hungry.I watched a little of Norbit then went to sleep.

Home Stay

During our trip round Cambodia we had the chance to stay with a local family to give us a taste of Cambodian riral life. After being introduced to the family they cooked us feast which was delicious and we played party games (Michelle won one and hasn't stop rubbing it in!) and keepy up football. We were aloud to get a carry out and sat outside chatting all night.Next morning as i was packing my rucksack to leave i was confronted by a big ass spider just lying their as if he wanted to come with me. I mean big!! Thank God michelle didn't see it.

China - Zhongguo - The Middle Kingdom

Zhongguo (pronounced Jong-Gwa) is Chinese for China. Literally, it means center country or middle kingdom as some translate more eloquently. The name stems directly from the long-held belief that China was situated at the center of the world with outlying lands surrounding it. Indeed as one of the most prosperous nations in the world up until the last century or two, perhaps it merited this name. Now, after years of obscurity and relative lack of influence, China is witnessing a revolution and the whole world is again eyeing the potential this vast nation possesses and knocking at its doors to get in as it increasingly reclaims its right to global prominence. With China currently the center of attention for businessmen and women, governments, human rights activists, tourists, environmentalists, and even athletes (Beijing Olympics 2008), perhaps China now more than ever merits its self-given distinction as The Middle Kingdom.As an international business major, it’s easy for me to justify spending two years to study Chinese and now living in the country for seven months to learn something more about the language, culture, and Chinese business. All I have to do is cite The World is Flat, One Billion Customers, The Wall Street Journal or any other of the ten thousand current books and publications that reiterate the same theme: China is where it’s at. And although they’re right, and although I’m extremely interested in the incredible economic possibilities China and its investors currently face, I was also drawn to China on another level. Unlike Europe which I have heard described as “like America but strange,” China is worlds apart both in distance, history, and culture. In fact from Columbia, South Carolina, where I study, if I were to dig directly through the Earth, I would probably end up somewhere near Shanghai. This fascination for the unknown coupled with my desire to witness China’s historic transformation drew me The Middle Kingdom. A little bit of spontaneity and a huge love for Chinese food contributed too.Now I’ve been in China for almost two months. I’m currently interning for ZF Industries, a German automotive company for another month in Hangzhou, and then I’m going to Beijing for four months to study Chinese at its infamous Beijing University. I will try to keep you up-to-date with my experiences here.

Ha Noi Overview

Hanoi is the elegant capital city of Vietnam sprawling its way along the Red River banks. There are many lakes, parks and leafy quarters which make the city just freshly green all year round. Ha Noi was first built in 1010 by King Ly Thai To who checked and found out that Feng-shui here was exceptionally good for the prosperity of the kingdom that time; Ha Noi was called Thanh Long meaning "the city of ascending dragons" then.Hanoi's architecture is the blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and French. The city is known to the locals as three main areas: The Ancient Citadel Area (11th century) which was home to the Royal Family; The Old Quarter (Ancient Business Area) dated back from the 11th century was the business quarter of Old Hanoi; The Frech Quarter with French architure dated back from the 19th century were home to the French residents of Hanoi during their time here.