Google ‘sleeper bus Vietnam‘. I guarantee you will not feel particularly inspired to try this form of transportation which has been described as “It’s sort of how I would imagine taking off in a rocket ship to mars would feel like non stop for 12 hours” or similar by the numerous blog posts and articles. […]
Vietnam
The Bus to Vung Tau
My friend Jess wanted to go to the beach while visiting me, and I had never been to a beach in Vietnam despite being only (“only?”) two hours from it, so on our free day we decided to go to Vung Tau. “Seaside status makes Vung Tau a nearby paradise for Saigonners. However, for well-travelled […]
Motorbiking it to Saigon – Attempt 1
Well, three months ago I didn’t even dream of owning a motorbike. Two months ago I considered the idea crazy. A month ago I thought the idea quite likely, but one thing I definitely would not do for a while is the crazy trip nick-named the ‘death ride’ or something like that by one of my […]
My motorbike and I
6.1.2015 Chúc mừng năm mới! Hello from my new apartment! Not completely sure how I feel about it – it’s lovely having so much space but simultaneously everything is quite… ancient. Just ate some of the foulest things ever. Well, the first one was fine, but I made the stupid decision of having a second one. It’s […]
3 motorbikes, 2 custard apples and a Vietnamese wedding
(written during one or two weeks up to 29.12.2014) SUP PEEPS. MORE VIETNAMESE MILESTONES/EXPERIENCES/THOUGHTS. Except hopefully by the time I publish this I will have thought of a more original title… (Edit: Hurrah just did. Sing it to the melody of “12 days of Christmas”) So here goes: #1. A few […]
A less fun Viexperience
Last week I spent in Saigon again due to our company’s epic CHRISTMAS PARTYYYY. I arrived on Monday and this is how it started off… After an amazing cocktail at the epic View Bar (which has, trust me, a view), we walked out onto Bui Vien, my beloved backpacker street, the first one I ever […]
Vietnamese Milestones so far
04.12 So, it’s been nearly six weeks. Here are a few things I have finally succeeded in accomplishing… First driving a motorbike! “Make sure you keep your hand on the brake…” Ph, the owner of the motorbike, reminded me frequently… Not on roads yet, but I have now tried an automatic motorbike and I […]
Two Days in the Mekong Delta
So, earlier this week I ventured out of the Ho Chi Minh City area, towards The Mekong Delta!! It was me and three of my Saigon friends, and we went with a tour company called TNK tours, it was brilliant. A busload of about forty people from a variety of countries – I spoke French with […]
Chicken feet, cockroaches and plane-spotting
19.11.2014 Xin chao! Long time no write, I seem to have phases. But now I MUST write it’s been a while… So, what’s happened since I last wrote. Well, I’ve settled more into BH life, and I really do enjoy teaching and lesson planning, and our group of BH teachers are a great bunch. We’ve gone for […]
The Bus Number 5
I will now tell you the story of my experiences on The Bus Number 5, the bus that goes between Bien Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City. 45 minutes at its best, x minutes at its worst. (Two hours is probably a reasonable maximum.) 20 miles/35km. My bus ride to HCMC was pretty smooth, about […]