Tet Holiday 2011- pt.2 and pt.3

This second part of the trip was a journey of dual purposes. For one, the most obvious, is to experience new places. The other, is a personal journey- pushing boundaries and pushing myself to move past my comfort zone and try new things, on my own. 

Most of my travels up to this point have been with a friend or friends. I've always had someone 'holding my hand' showing me what to do and guiding me along the way. It's time that I grow up- become the strong individual I know I am deep down inside and start doing things completely on my own... Of course, this was a baby step because I hired a tour group to take me through the Mekong Delta and Cambodia- BUT I did this on my own and was forced out of my comfort zone, into new challenges without the help of friends or family. 

It was life changing and I proved to myself that I can not only do these things on my own, but I LOVED every minute of it and cannot wait to continue these solo journeys in the future. 

Anyway- here it goes- again, pieced by quick little journal entries : ) 

Day 7: 

(February 7th, 2011)

I took the 11:30pm bus from Phan Thiet back to Sai Gon with Tam's sister, brother in law and niece. It was so incredibly packed on the bus I was nervous that I would have to sit in a super awkward position for the entire 4 and a half hour trip- however, being the enormous foreigner, I was offered the front seat by the driver... my own little private cubby to enjoy the trip. It was VIP for sure : ) 

The bus was running late, and there was a point where we needed to turn around and go back to a stop to pick someone up. I kept thinking for sure that I would get back to town too late and miss my bus to the Mekong. 

I woke up and didn't recognize any of my surroundings, I looked at my watch and it was already 5:30am and I felt for sure that we still had an hour or two left in the ride back to Sai Gon- arg, frustration set in. When suddenly, we took a right turn and were right in front of my alley way! Phwef.... made it home in time to shower, pack and take a breather between trips. 

Took the bus to the Mekong Delta- took about 3 hours and I slept solid the entire trip. 

Once there we road on three different kinds of boats and a motorcar! 

        

Saw how coconut candy was made and held bees : )

Day 8
(February 8th, 2011)


- floating markets- such a cool idea, the people live and work on the boats. They drive their boats up to other boats and sell their goods. Simple, simple, simple- perfect. There are even coffee shops and food/restaurants on these boats!

Also- went to a food orchard- so cool, I haven't seen such healthy looking fruit in VN. Ever. Switched groups for the second night- road three and a half hours to the last town before crossing over into Cambodia by boat.

Day 9
(February 9th, 2011)

Early morning visit to a floating village/Cham minority village.

After this visit we were finally on our way to Phnom Penh. Listening to Band of Horses- made me feel so much all at once it hurt. 

To visit a place you've never been before is one of the most beautiful experiences in life. Whether you love the place or hate it- the first sights, sounds and smells are extraordinary. 

Solo traveling is fantastic. This is the beginning of a new and independent way of life for me. 

Heading out into Phnom Penh alone is a huge adventure for me. Sure I do things alone all of the time in VN, but I know that country so well- I know how to communicate and I know what to expect. I have never headed out completely solo before- I've always been with Jake, friends, tour groups or fellow volunteers. Those of you who know me best know I have a bit of a social handicap. I love people, I'm usually great around them but taking initiative with them and with things that I'm intimidated by has always been a challenge. 

That's what makes this trip through the Mekong and Cambodia so beautiful for me. Yes, for the most part a tour guide is practically holding my hand BUT this is still a huge step for me :)

And I'm afraid it's starting something that will never be finished... SOLO travel. Sure I can't wait to travel with friends and loved ones but I think at the very least, one time a year a trip of some sort should be made by myself. I love being able to do what I want, when I want. TO be lame if I want be, or go out and meet people if I feel social. 

I'm so stoked that I already have another solo trip booked for the end of march. It's my birthday on the 1st of a march and a gift to myself is a 3 day weekend relaxin in Hoi An. Sure I've been there before but it's one of the most beautiful towns in Vietnam. It's the perfect place to rent a bicycle and spend the day riding through rice patties and taking in the beautiful architecture. 

And now my head is swimming with future trips! I'm thankful that I've been fortunate enough to have seen what I've seen already- I'm not even 30 and I've visited eight countries so far, and transited through countless others... does a 9 hour layover in Doha, Qatar count? 4 hours in Amsterdam? 4 hours in Hong Kong? 9 hours in Guangzhou China? Sure these are all layovers, but I've been there : ) 

Well, my tuk tuk driver is falling asleep waiting for me to finish my beer so, away I go...

Day 10

(February 10th, 2011)

- Solo tour by tuk tuk to the killing fields and shooting range... I shot a M16!

Also held a bazooka...

Heading to meet up with a new group to begin the Angkor/Siem Riep portion of the trip. 

4 star hotel tonight!!! 

Went to the silver pagoda and royal palace- amazing - the entire floor is made of silver. 

Went to a casino? Really? Ha... lost 5 bucks. 

Day 11

(February 11th, 2011)

- great brekky (of course... it is a 4 star hotel)

- six hours from Phnom Penh to Siem Riep... stopped half way through the trip and ate a tarantula

Went to traditional Aspara dance over dinner... truly amazing and beautiful. 

Day 12

(February 12th, 2011) 

Temples. All Day. Pictures explain everything. 

 There are more pics... but I'm having issues getting them uploaded to Flickr, will hopefully do it soon!

Tet Holiday 2011- pt.1

So, At first I was too tired and wanted to relax and get back on track after a two week holiday... then I was too busy to sit down and type up this blog... Now, I have no excuses! I felt like starting up again and writing but it wouldn't be fair to you out there- if I just pushed forward and failed to recap a pretty stellar trip. 

I'm going to have to just piece together journal entries so bear with me... I still think it'll be entertaining : ) 

Day 1: 

(February 1st, 2011) 

I'm writing from the back of a motorbike. 

-early rise (7:30) met up to take picture on Nguyen Hue street until 11am (this street has a huge floral display for the holidays) 

 

Changed and met up with Tam's brother and friend. Got in a small motorbike accident ( I was not driving :) ) and decided the boys should drive the rest of the way. I'm on the back of Tam's brother's bike and his friend is driving Tam's bike. 

Turning Vietnamese- wearing a hoodie in the hot hot heat to avoid sunburn. 

Saw three nasty accidents, which luckily we passed AFTER the victims were removed. We however made it safe and sound in one piece.. sore bums but alive! 

Tam's house is awesome, can not wait to take tons of pictures- never realized how big Tam's family was- she has two sisters and two brother. 

Did I mention she lives on the beach? 

Day 2: 

(February 2nd, 2011)

Another early rise. 

brisk shower- hit the local street market, one of the shops had 6 women lavising me with compliments and pushing their very shy 15 year old daughter at me so she could practice her English. 

Prepped some veggies for the big meal - used a cleaver... yikes! 

Saw women doing that red chew (later I found out it is the areca nut and the betel leaf you can learn about it here ) and selling it.

Was an active participant in a 'bike of burden' with a giant potted sunflower. 

Sitting under the mango tree/ relaxing on a hammock, tamarind in the tree to my right and coconuts in the the tree to my left... 

Today is new years eve, in the lunar calendar. The father, or man of the house prays to ancestors for the whole house and then they 'party' by sitting at the house eating and drinking beer. 

On the first day of the year the first person to enter the house brings you luck for that year. 

It's beautiful how all of the men take shopping for flowers so seriously during this holiday. There were more men than women at the flower markets and they were examining each flower arrangement with great care before purchasing. 

Day 3: 

(February 3rd, 2011) 

This is my favorite day so far. 

Last night - everyone showered to cleanse before the new year- washing away the last year. 

Then we went to view the fireworks. We were ridiculously close to the fireworks.... 

This morning we walked to all of the relatives houses- prayed and sat around relaxing and sharing each others company. 

Each house has 5 alters, you light incense for each one, you share fruit and give lucky money. 

Days 4 and 5: 

(February 4th and 5th, 2011)

Day 4 was filled with visiting relatives, talking and playing both Black Jack and Bingo.... I was a huge winner- but we only bet with 2,000- 5,000 VND which is roughly 10- 25 cents. 

I had been the first foreigner to visit them and they were SO happy that they invited me to return the following year. 

Today we went to the biggest pagoda in the area. Tam's father happens to work there. 

I lit my 11 incense sticks and went to the various alters to pray for my family, health and happiness. I was filled with such emotion I can't really express it in words. 

I was then taken to the biggest alter- which was built for a husband and wife- the entire pagoda was built in their honor thanking them for their kindness and compassion. 

I sat down in front of their alter, was given these two wooden blocks that when held together resembled a tamarind fruit/seed. I held these to my forehead and prayed. It's a prayer kind of like a wish. Then you drop the blocks and if they land in a certain way, your wish and prayer will come true.  

I made my wish dropped the blocks and they came up with no luck.. however... you are given three chances to make this wish/prayer. On my second turn I did the entire routine again, placed them to my forehead- made my prayer, dropped the blocks and success! The landed the correct way and my wish was/will be granted. 

This was followed by standing in line behind this main monk who gave me two bits of yellow paper. One was already folded and the other I folded around the first. This, he said, should be carried with me at all times for luck, happiness and safety. 

Day 6:

(February 6th, 2011)

We took a trip to the mountain which has cable cars to take you up to the top where a pagoda and some epic buddhas are. 

Because it was a holiday it was the most busy place in the world. Seriously, I've seen Vietnamese in crazy traffic- elbowing and clawing at each other in line at the supermarket and more but this was the most graphic, horrifying display of complete lack of regard for other human beings. 

To begin the afternoon, we drove for about an hour and stood in line in the insane heat for another two hours. 

Once we got off the cable car and started hiking further up in the mountain, I kept coming up to these beautiful massive buddha statues and was thinking how incredibly awesome a surprise it was because I was under the impression we were simply hiking up a mountain. 

Then we started up the main pathway... and I could see white peeking through the trees. Then I realized that this was no ordinary Buddha statue. It's the biggest laying down Buddha in SE Asia. How they got the rock up there to build it is beyond me! 

After seeing such a beautiful sight, it was time to head back. Now here's where the real chaos and drama occurred. Hundreds of Vietnamese trying to get down a mountain in the hot afternoon, by cable cars that hold about 8... is a recipe for disasters. 

I saw my first ever 'stampede' complete with tasers, shouting, whistles and my friend Tam fainting. This is a view after we finally made it to the small controlled waiting area for the next cable car (and we only got there when we did because Tam passed out and we were rushed to the front) 

I was honestly scared and had visions of this image turning up in the news.... 

BUT we made it out alive, and I was more than ready for the next leg of my journey. 

***

This concludes my recap of my Tet holiday- part one. As I warned, it's not written very eloquently- but hey I'm tired, super busy and at least I'm getting my experience out there : ) 

Stay tuned for parts two and three: The Mekong Delta and Cambodia 

Sunday = cleaning day

...Which is why I'm sitting at a cafe havin an awesome breakfast and reading a book. Oh, don't get me wrong, my house is getting cleaned as we speak. How you might ask?

Only in Vietnam can you be woken up at 7:30a.m. On a Sunday morning by your landlord providing you with no less than 6 cleaning ladies to deep clean your house... For free.

And people might ask, "don't you miss your family and friends living so far away?"

My answer, "of course, but I'm about to spend under 20 USD for an entire afternoon at the spa while 6 ladies clean my house for free"

The Flu

It comes out of no where and knocks you on your bum. Wednesday night, I felt great- had the slightest feeling that I had a fever but thought I was just tired. Thursday upon waking up- I felt as if a bus had hit me in the middle of the night. 

And now it's Saturday. And I'm one frustrated and weak little lady. All my plans and ambitions for the past few days have been beyond my reach and I'm getting antsy! 

So, what I have done with my bedridden two (going on three) days? Finished reading these:

The first two books were given to me by my sister in law for Christmas. I starting reading the first book on the plane home from the states- which was on January 2nd-4th (time zone change- don't ask) And now it's the 22nd and I'm about 100 pages away from finishing the third book.

On Wednesday I was close to finishing the 2nd book so I had to head out to the backpacker district and hope that there was a bootleg copy of it floating around, and there was!

What a great way to spend my sick days. Rather than laying half dead in front of the TV I've been fully engrossed in these novels.

 It's an excellent trilogy, the mystery throughout each book keeps you turning pages and makes it impossible to put down. It's filled with hundreds of surprises and very complex characters.