Vietnam

So, this blog hasn't worked for a while, so I haven't posted in a long time. It's finally working again, so I can update ya'll even though I don't think anyone is reading anymore. Since I last posted I have traveled north through Vietnam making a handful of stops. I'll some them up for you list style:

Saigon(Ho Chi Minh City): A totally insane city with the craziest traffic I have ever witnessed. 9 out of 10 people there ride motorcycles, and there is absolutely no regard for "traffic laws" what so-ever. Every possible inch of space on the road is spoken for, and the whole "left lane, right lane" thing is a joke. Everyone drives as fast as they want in the direction they are going, and just dodges and weaves. Cars on the other hand, are an entirely different threat. Think of that movie "Speed" with Keanu Reeves, where there is a bomb on the bus and if they drive under 80 it will blow. When you hear a horn blaring in the distance, you better dive out of the way because that sea of motorcycles is about to part and someone driving a van/bus/truck is about to blast through regardlesss of who is in there path. Saigon highlights include the Da Me Waterslide Park, with such experimental slides as the "Space Bowl"; and the Cu Chi tunnels, which the Vietcong used in the "American War" as they call it. And yes, that is their real name.

Nha Trang: Waist of time

Hoi An: This town is a tourist mecca, but was still really cool and worth going to. It's basically a bunch of really old buildings on a river front that managed to survive all the wars. It looks a lot like a small Italian village. The highlight of this stop was renting a motorbike, and riding it to the coast and through the country side to Marble Mountain with Kyle. In Marble Mountain there are a bunch of caves with Buddha's carved in the walls and what not. The only other people there were a group of Buddhist nuns and their perverted tour guide who tried to molest me. If you want to know more about that you can ask me in person. The caves were awesome though.

Hue: The original capital of Vietnam before the revolution, and the place where most Vietnamese go to college. Lots of ancient palaces, tombs, people who want to practive their english, etc.

Ha Noi: After a beautiful train ride, we arrived in Ha Noi, capital of Vietnam. Unfortunately we arrived at night, and couldn't manage to find a hotel with an available room anywhere. After walking around for about an hour, dodging every scammer in town (one of which said that ifwe didn't stay in his hotel the Vietnamese mafia would kill us), we found a place. We stayed in the Old Quarter, which is similar to the French Quarter in New Orleans. The only reason to stay in this city is the Bia Hoi, which is locally made beer that has no preservatives and must be drank in a week. Every corner has a keg set up and sells pints for 3,000 dong, which is about 15 cents.

Halong Bay/Cat Ba Island: Now we are in Halong Bay, which is the picturesque place many people associate with Vietnam. Picture giant lime stone rock formations pertruding out of the water, with lots of fog and nice people. We are on Cat Ba Island right now, and just went for a trek through the jungle, which looks a lot like the place Jurassic park was filmed. I think it is definately the most diverse and unusual looking terrrain I have ever been in. Tourist season is over, so the hotels are desperate. That means that Kyle and I have a room with a balcony overlooking the bay, for $5 a night. Pretty good!

From here we fly back to Thailand for Thai new years. I might come back early with Kyle on the 21st, but I am not sure yet. This place is exhausting to travel through. The only way to get to know local people is to live here, and if you are just traveling through than all they see is $$$$$. Most of the day consists of avoiding scams, but it is worth it for the cool people you do meet and the amazing places you see. Enough for now!