Well, we made it! The flights were long both smooth, with no major hiccups and minimal jetlag. Saigon was great, we spent a couple of days there meandering about and getting adjusted, and then this morning we caught a bus to a beach town called Mui Ne (about 5 hours). Travel has been extremely easy so far, much easier than was thought it would be. The people are nice, and everything is cheap! For example, today we've booked a basic beachfront bungalow ($7, $3.5 per person), had a meal consisting of drinks, fried rice, red snapper w/ garlic and chilli ($5 including large tip) and breakfast of huge banana pankakes ($3ish). We've come in right at our 12 month travel budget every day, even in the most expensive city, which is great
We haven't had any huge problems so far... but we've madea few rookie mistatks. Most notably, we took our anti-malaria medication this morning at 6am (on an empty stomache) right as we walked out to go get breakfast. Apparently that stuff works fast, because by the time we got to the restaurant 15 min later we were both throwing up. Alas, it passed quickly and we're great now!
We purchased what's called an 'open-bus' tour in Saigon, which is really a pretty neat deal. It was just under $40/person, and it allows us to take a bus from Saigon all the way up to Hanoi (approx 1000miles) and get off at any of the stops we'd like to. Mui Ne is the first stop. In a few days we'll head to a mountain city called Dalat, then on to Nha Trang (another beach town), Hoi An, Hue, and then to Hanoi. The buses are very nice, with air-con, nice seats and on the longer rides even sleeper reclining seats. Not a bad deal! Feel free to Google any of these places, pictures should be easy to find.
Tomorrow we'll probably rent a scooter and go check out the huge sand dunes that run into the ocean just outside of town. Beyond that, we'll just be lounging around.
That's all for now, take care!
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Sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time so far. It was nice to have a post today. Been checking the Blog every day for an update. Sorry you had to learn the hard way about the malaria meds. :(
ReplyDeleteAweseome! Sounds exactly like what you guys were looking for (except the rookie mistake:)). Glad to hear from you as we've been watching your blog eagerly. Remember, we're living vicariously through you guys as we trudge to work every day. Be safe... and keep in touch! Love -- Mom & Dad
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from both of you. Been checking your Blog. Sorry to hear you guys were a little sick. Have a GREAT time and be safe. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Love Terri
ReplyDeleteMy plan lands in Vietnam on Oct 4th! I've decided to go all native on your dad and travel with you guys!
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. Are the beaches beautiful? What color is the sand? Do the people there wear swimsuits similar to us? How hot is it? Can you find American speaking people in the outskirts of the city?
I hope you didn't throw up all of your malaria pill. Is it a pill you take several doses of?
So glad you're having fun. The trip sounds fantastic so far. How do you say goodbye in Vietnamese?
Love, Mom
Lol, you signed it 'Mom' but Michelle and I both new which Mom it was by reading it LOL.
ReplyDeleteBeaches are pretty, but nothing spectacular yet.. the typhoon that hit a few days ago has riled up the water so it's pretty rough seas and dark right now. Very little english is spoken at all, many locals speak just enough to sell you stuff in their particular business. I have no idea how to say good-bye LOL... I can't say anything. We use hand signals and point. We'll be hella good at charades when we get back!
The locals don't seem to wear swimsuits... they swim in their regular clothes. Not at all ucommon to see a whole family coming out of the water fully clothed.
Malaria pill is daily for the whole trip... so we just missed the one day. No prob!