we are in vietnammmm... its crazy. our hotel is really nice... it is monday may 5 at 8:30pm...
we had an extremely long flight... and it was night for about 24 hrs or something. Everyone looks really tired today.,\
we are in the business centre because the wireless wont work.
I can't even think of what to write...
long plane, really long... then we got here this morning... we had a delay at the airport because one girl had a mistake on her visa, it had the wrong date so she had to stay at the airport all day to get it sorted out.
We walked around the streets and went to the water puppet theatre and walked around following our guide and taking pictures. There is so much traffic and its mostly motor bikes. It is really scary to cross the street.
Some old lady almost hit me.. it was funny.
I stepped on a dead rat.
Our hotel is cool with big old wooden doors and panels and high ceilings and really big shutter windows that you can open and look into the street.
It is exactly what I imagined for windows.
Tomorrow we get up early.. sunrise here is 5:30am and sunset is 6:30pm.
We are going on tours of a bunch of places and later on a night train where we have to sleep and get up at 5am...it is my birthday tomorrow.
We will be back in a hotel on May 7.
For dinner we had to use chopsticks and I had to use the stabbing method for a few things but the food was good...fish and chicken with spicy sauce and sticky rice...etc.
The buildings here are really cool and tall and narrow. On the bus way from the airport I saw some people's homes that looked like fallen down haunted houses.
And people constantly come up to you on the street to sell you things. Our guide said to not make eye contact or answer them.
I took gravol awhile ago to make sure I can sleep tonight... I guess that is normal for me anyway/
Wellll nothing else to say right now. I am not sure when I will have internet again but thats OK!
As soon as more people came to the airport in Toronto I was way less scared...and now I'm not at all anymore.
It's summer here. Yay....
and the bathrooms are normal so far and there are showers so far.
OK well Karen is leaving now so I need to go. BYE WORLD.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
GILLAINE'S
www.gillaineinreallife.blogspot.com
that is gillaine's blog about vietnam and life apparently...so hopeflly she doesnt say anything embarassing about me.
that is gillaine's blog about vietnam and life apparently...so hopeflly she doesnt say anything embarassing about me.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
itinerary
May 3, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #829
Departs: Toronto at 11:35pm
Arrives: Hong Kong at 6:40am (arrives morning of May 5)
May 5, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #793 (operated by Vietnam Airlines)
Departs: Hong Kong at 9:00am
Arrives: Hanoi at 10:00 am
May 5~ Arrive in Hanoi. Get brought to our hotel from the airport then explore around the town. Have a Vietnamse dinner with our guide. Then go to the water puppet theatre.
May 6~City tour of Hanoi. Explore The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Ethnology Museum, One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th century Temple of Literature. After lunch, we’ll ride in rickshaws, touring the historic 36th Street Old Quarter.
You’ll have free time to dinner and prepare for this evening's night train to Lao Cai. Night train to Lao Cai departs Hanoi Station at 9:30pm and arrives in Lao Cai at 5:30am. Your sleeping berth has 4 beds and air-con.
May 7~Lao Cai – Coc Ly – Bac Ha (Hiking and Biking) The train arrives in Lao Cai between 5:00 – 5:30am. Have a hearty breakfast then drive to Phong Hai to visit a small hill tribe market. Then trek approximately 10 kms to Coc Ly and board a local boat for a 2.5hr trip down the Chay River, stopping at a'Fairy Cave' and have a picnic.Then back to Bac Ha and check in to our hotel, then have a drive around town with a stop in Ban Pho Village to have tea with an ethnic family. Finally it's a singletrack stretch that winds through plum gardens and rice fields and past the mud homes of the local inhabitants. We return to Bac Ha for dinner and overnight at a comfortable hotel. O/N at Sao Mai hotel.
May 8: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Sapa After breakfast, we drive to Sapa, which takes up to 3 hours and gives you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll have the afternoon free to explore the old hill station of Sapa, a centre for local minorities in northern Vietnam. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
May 9: Sapa – Ban Ho (Trekking) ~breakfast at the hotel, two hour trek to the heart of Golden Stream Valley - Ta Van, a wonderful village of the Dzay people nested on the foot of Fan Si Pan Mountain. After a picnic, trek along the river to the end of the valley before contouring the mountainside and trekking a final few kms uphill to Ban Ho, a peaceful village of Tay people where we can see houses on stilts and where we'll stay overnight. We'll have a traditional Vietnamese dinner cooked by our local guide. Overnight at homestay.
May 10: Trekking Ban Ho – Sapa (Trekking) After breakfast and a farewell with our Tay hosts, we’ll continue trekking through the valley, stop for a picnic lunch then continue trekking to the main road. Our support vehicle will pick us up and drive us back to Sapa. We’ll pick up our gear from the hotel and drive back down the mountain to Lao Cai. Relax and enjoy dinner in Lao Cai before taking the night train back to Hanoi.
May 11: Market Day in Hanoi The train arrives in Hanoi around 5:00am. We’ll be transferred from the train station to a cafĂ for breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll head to the outskirts of Hanoi and visit the handicraft villages, including Bat Trang Ceramics, Van Phuc Silk, Dong Ky woodcarving and So noodle villages. The villages are famous for their arts and crafts. Overnight at hotel.
May 12: Halong Bay Cruise on Deluxe Junk (Cruising) After breakfast, the bus will pick us up at our hotel at 8:30 am and we’ll drive 3.5 hours to Ha Long. From here, we'll board the boat and start our cruise. After having lunch on board, we'll continue cruising and make stops at Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, and Sung Sot cave. There is also the opportunity to sea kayak from Titop beach to Luon Cave. Enjoy the sunset before having dinner on board. Overnight on boat.
May 13: Halong Bay (Cruising & Kayaking) Have an early breakfast before beginning our kayak exploration. Paddle from Luon Cave toward islets in shape of a Man's head, Tortoise island, and Cua Van fishing village. Have lunch on board. Paddle to Three Tunnels lake (depending on the tides). Have dinner on board. O/N on boat.
May 14: Halong Bay (Kayaking) Early risers can enjoy a morning swim before breakfast. We'll then embark on a morning paddle to explore a little bit more of the bay, stopping at small islets along the way. Midday we'll return to the boat, arrange our luggage and check out. We'll return to the dock and arrive back in Hanoi around 4pm. Overnight in hotel.
May 15: Hanoi - Hue After breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hue at 10:10am. Upon arrival in Hue, we'll transfer to our hotel. After getting settled, we’ll make our way to the Imperial Palace and Forbidden City. Overnight in hotel.
May 16: Hue – Hoi An We explore Hue in depth, enjoying a morning boat cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of the city. We also visit the tomb of Emperor Ming Mang. After lunch at a local restaurant we'll leave Hue stopping at Lang Co beach, before crossing the mighty Hai Van pass and the impressive Cham Museum, home to the best sculpture in the country and Marble Mountain. Arrive in Hoi An and check in to our hotel.
May 17: Hoi An walking tour and My Son (Walking) In the morning, we'll drive to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My Son is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with the introduction of Hindu architecture of the Indian sub-continent into South-East Asia. It also illustrates the Champa Kingdom - an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of South-East Asia.
Hoi An is undoubtedly one of the most charming towns in all of Vietnam. After lunch, we’ll take a walking tour of the historic pagodas, houses and bridges. In the late afternoon, we'll transfer to Da Nang airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival we'll transfer to our hotel and soak up the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City.
May 18: Saigon - Mekong Delta (Walking) We'll depart at 8:00 AM for the Mekong Delta. We'll board a boat and take a cruise to see the rural landscape along the small canals. There is also time to walk along the small village roads and enjoy the lovely natural scenery and the simple daily life of villagers. Enjoy traditional music & fresh fruits. In the afternoon, drive to Can Tho. O/N in Can Tho.
May 19: Mekong Delta In the morning, we'll take a boat trip to visit Cai Rang & Phong Dien floating markets, and to witness the daily life of local people in the Mekong River. In the afternoon, we'll return to Saigon. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
May 20: Saigon - Departure You have the morning free. 2 hours before your flight you will be transferred to the International Airport.
May 20, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #766 (operated by Vietnam Airlines)
Departs: Ho Chi Minh City at 11:25am
Arrives: Hong Kong at 3:10pm
May 20, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #826
Departs: Hong Kong at 4:35pm
Arrives: Toronto at 7:15pm
Departs: Toronto at 11:35pm
Arrives: Hong Kong at 6:40am (arrives morning of May 5)
May 5, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #793 (operated by Vietnam Airlines)
Departs: Hong Kong at 9:00am
Arrives: Hanoi at 10:00 am
May 5~ Arrive in Hanoi. Get brought to our hotel from the airport then explore around the town. Have a Vietnamse dinner with our guide. Then go to the water puppet theatre.
May 6~City tour of Hanoi. Explore The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Ethnology Museum, One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th century Temple of Literature. After lunch, we’ll ride in rickshaws, touring the historic 36th Street Old Quarter.
You’ll have free time to dinner and prepare for this evening's night train to Lao Cai. Night train to Lao Cai departs Hanoi Station at 9:30pm and arrives in Lao Cai at 5:30am. Your sleeping berth has 4 beds and air-con.
May 7~Lao Cai – Coc Ly – Bac Ha (Hiking and Biking) The train arrives in Lao Cai between 5:00 – 5:30am. Have a hearty breakfast then drive to Phong Hai to visit a small hill tribe market. Then trek approximately 10 kms to Coc Ly and board a local boat for a 2.5hr trip down the Chay River, stopping at a'Fairy Cave' and have a picnic.Then back to Bac Ha and check in to our hotel, then have a drive around town with a stop in Ban Pho Village to have tea with an ethnic family. Finally it's a singletrack stretch that winds through plum gardens and rice fields and past the mud homes of the local inhabitants. We return to Bac Ha for dinner and overnight at a comfortable hotel. O/N at Sao Mai hotel.
May 8: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Sapa After breakfast, we drive to Sapa, which takes up to 3 hours and gives you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll have the afternoon free to explore the old hill station of Sapa, a centre for local minorities in northern Vietnam. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
May 9: Sapa – Ban Ho (Trekking) ~breakfast at the hotel, two hour trek to the heart of Golden Stream Valley - Ta Van, a wonderful village of the Dzay people nested on the foot of Fan Si Pan Mountain. After a picnic, trek along the river to the end of the valley before contouring the mountainside and trekking a final few kms uphill to Ban Ho, a peaceful village of Tay people where we can see houses on stilts and where we'll stay overnight. We'll have a traditional Vietnamese dinner cooked by our local guide. Overnight at homestay.
May 10: Trekking Ban Ho – Sapa (Trekking) After breakfast and a farewell with our Tay hosts, we’ll continue trekking through the valley, stop for a picnic lunch then continue trekking to the main road. Our support vehicle will pick us up and drive us back to Sapa. We’ll pick up our gear from the hotel and drive back down the mountain to Lao Cai. Relax and enjoy dinner in Lao Cai before taking the night train back to Hanoi.
May 11: Market Day in Hanoi The train arrives in Hanoi around 5:00am. We’ll be transferred from the train station to a cafĂ for breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll head to the outskirts of Hanoi and visit the handicraft villages, including Bat Trang Ceramics, Van Phuc Silk, Dong Ky woodcarving and So noodle villages. The villages are famous for their arts and crafts. Overnight at hotel.
May 12: Halong Bay Cruise on Deluxe Junk (Cruising) After breakfast, the bus will pick us up at our hotel at 8:30 am and we’ll drive 3.5 hours to Ha Long. From here, we'll board the boat and start our cruise. After having lunch on board, we'll continue cruising and make stops at Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, and Sung Sot cave. There is also the opportunity to sea kayak from Titop beach to Luon Cave. Enjoy the sunset before having dinner on board. Overnight on boat.
May 13: Halong Bay (Cruising & Kayaking) Have an early breakfast before beginning our kayak exploration. Paddle from Luon Cave toward islets in shape of a Man's head, Tortoise island, and Cua Van fishing village. Have lunch on board. Paddle to Three Tunnels lake (depending on the tides). Have dinner on board. O/N on boat.
May 14: Halong Bay (Kayaking) Early risers can enjoy a morning swim before breakfast. We'll then embark on a morning paddle to explore a little bit more of the bay, stopping at small islets along the way. Midday we'll return to the boat, arrange our luggage and check out. We'll return to the dock and arrive back in Hanoi around 4pm. Overnight in hotel.
May 15: Hanoi - Hue After breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hue at 10:10am. Upon arrival in Hue, we'll transfer to our hotel. After getting settled, we’ll make our way to the Imperial Palace and Forbidden City. Overnight in hotel.
May 16: Hue – Hoi An We explore Hue in depth, enjoying a morning boat cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of the city. We also visit the tomb of Emperor Ming Mang. After lunch at a local restaurant we'll leave Hue stopping at Lang Co beach, before crossing the mighty Hai Van pass and the impressive Cham Museum, home to the best sculpture in the country and Marble Mountain. Arrive in Hoi An and check in to our hotel.
May 17: Hoi An walking tour and My Son (Walking) In the morning, we'll drive to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My Son is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with the introduction of Hindu architecture of the Indian sub-continent into South-East Asia. It also illustrates the Champa Kingdom - an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of South-East Asia.
Hoi An is undoubtedly one of the most charming towns in all of Vietnam. After lunch, we’ll take a walking tour of the historic pagodas, houses and bridges. In the late afternoon, we'll transfer to Da Nang airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival we'll transfer to our hotel and soak up the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City.
May 18: Saigon - Mekong Delta (Walking) We'll depart at 8:00 AM for the Mekong Delta. We'll board a boat and take a cruise to see the rural landscape along the small canals. There is also time to walk along the small village roads and enjoy the lovely natural scenery and the simple daily life of villagers. Enjoy traditional music & fresh fruits. In the afternoon, drive to Can Tho. O/N in Can Tho.
May 19: Mekong Delta In the morning, we'll take a boat trip to visit Cai Rang & Phong Dien floating markets, and to witness the daily life of local people in the Mekong River. In the afternoon, we'll return to Saigon. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
May 20: Saigon - Departure You have the morning free. 2 hours before your flight you will be transferred to the International Airport.
May 20, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #766 (operated by Vietnam Airlines)
Departs: Ho Chi Minh City at 11:25am
Arrives: Hong Kong at 3:10pm
May 20, 2008 - Cathay Pacific, Flight #826
Departs: Hong Kong at 4:35pm
Arrives: Toronto at 7:15pm
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