I have heaps of things to catch you all up on. Thanks to my slackness in writing (again). Our last days in the Perhentian Islands were spent doing some last minute dives, celebrating Justin's birthday and Justin and Alfie finishing the divemaster course. In celebration of them finishing, Justin and Alfie were put through the snorkel test. This is a tradition for all new divemasters and involves making fun of the newly qualified, making them play games and a lot of alcohol, which culminates in the divemasters having to drink alcohol through a snorkel without breathing.
The next day we left the islands and headed for 5-star luxury in Kuala Lumpur. It was such a change from our small room where the electricity would randomly turn off most days. Most of Malaysia was covered in think haze due to wind pushing smoke from fires in Indonesia where they were burning forests to give way to plantations. Everyday while in KL I ended up with a sore throat and scratchy eyes.
Next we flew north to Vietnam. I think this has been my favourite country so far. It is cheap, the people are friendly and helpful and the food is amazing. It was also nice to get out of a conservative Muslim country and into a more liberal Buddhist one. I am no longer stared at for wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Admittedly KL was fine, but in the more rural, less cosmopolitan areas it was a bit strange.
In Vietnam, we flew into Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC or old Saigon). We spent a few days there looking around the city, the markets and learning how to cross the road without zebra crossings or lights. Basically you step on to the road, and in a slow and steady walk you continue until you reach the other side. The traffic will go around you as long as you don't stop moving in a predictable direction. There are more motorbikes and scooters than cars on the road, and the road rules seem to consist of lots of beeping of horns and don't hit anyone in front of you.
From there we headed south to Can To and into the Mekong Delta. The Delta is known as the bread-basket of Vietnam due to the climate and the abundance of water that contains nutrients washed down from the highlands. We went on a river cruise to see the floating markets which are amazing. Most of the trade and transportation is done on the rivers as that is often easier than roads. Whole families that live on the boats, from little babies to grandparents all on the same boat.
From there we headed back through HCMC and onto Dalat (also known as Da Lat). This small town is in the highlands and was cold enough that I wore shoes and long-sleeve tops at night for the first time in 2 months. It was great to get out of the heat and spend a few days relaxing in the relative coolness. The hostel we were staying at arranges motorbike day tours into the surrounding countryside and villages. We found it was a great way to see the area. And yes I drove myself on a bike. It was a bit touristy but heaps of fun! Along the way we saw a cricket farm (farmed to eat), coffee plantations, a silk factory, how to make rice noodles and visited a hill tribe village where we saw traditional weaving.
I'll catch you up with the rest in the next post. Here are the last few photos from Dalat.
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| Let the games begin. Alfie and Justin. Yes they are wearing dresses. |
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| Here comes the beer. |
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| Kuala Lumpur, full of tall buildings. |
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| Weekend market in KL. |
Next we flew north to Vietnam. I think this has been my favourite country so far. It is cheap, the people are friendly and helpful and the food is amazing. It was also nice to get out of a conservative Muslim country and into a more liberal Buddhist one. I am no longer stared at for wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Admittedly KL was fine, but in the more rural, less cosmopolitan areas it was a bit strange.
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| Cyclo-man taking a break, HCMC. |
In Vietnam, we flew into Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC or old Saigon). We spent a few days there looking around the city, the markets and learning how to cross the road without zebra crossings or lights. Basically you step on to the road, and in a slow and steady walk you continue until you reach the other side. The traffic will go around you as long as you don't stop moving in a predictable direction. There are more motorbikes and scooters than cars on the road, and the road rules seem to consist of lots of beeping of horns and don't hit anyone in front of you.
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| Alleyways are everywhere, HCMC. |
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| Many people fit on a single motorbike or scooter all at the same time. |
From there we headed south to Can To and into the Mekong Delta. The Delta is known as the bread-basket of Vietnam due to the climate and the abundance of water that contains nutrients washed down from the highlands. We went on a river cruise to see the floating markets which are amazing. Most of the trade and transportation is done on the rivers as that is often easier than roads. Whole families that live on the boats, from little babies to grandparents all on the same boat.
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| Incense spirals in Can To. |
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| Floating market in Can To. |
I'll catch you up with the rest in the next post. Here are the last few photos from Dalat.
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| Black teeth from eating betel nut. Dalat Highlands. |
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| Silk worm cocoons. |
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| Soaking the cocoons in hot water and collecting the thin threads. |
