Koh Chang - Day 3

Today we did a 5 island boat trip, which turned out to be 4, but overall it was a very enjoyable day out. We were picked up from our beach by a powered rubber dinghy... Janina not too sure held on tight as we were taken to the nearby fishing village pier to board our boat for the day. We had paid £13 each for the trip and  not too sure of the itinerary and what was included........typical us. As the boat set sail we were given snorkeling gear and shown how to use it, as I had tried it on a previous holiday I would give it a go....Janina opted out. Our first stop was a very small island where we could snorkel around its rocky edges. The water felt warm and I stayed in the water about 40 mins, saw lots of colourful fish and coral, had no problem with the mask and breather   ... a fabulous experience.Stopped at another small island for snorkeling before heading off to the island of Koh Rang. A lovely lunch was served as we sailed, rice plus a choice of 4 dishes and followed by fresh fruits. Tea and coffee being available at all times. Disembarked at Koh Rang and swam from a beautiful white sandy beach, Janina loved it, warm shallow water. Next stop the island of Koh Wai, again a lovely beach, crystal clear water with numerous fish swimming close in to the shore. Back on board a salad was served as we sailed back to our starting point passing numerous islands. Arrived back at our hotel 5.00pm.



Janina with our boat behind



Koh Chang. Day 2

Despite the weather forecast saying partly cloudy we woke to clear blue skies. After a leisurely breakfast we walked 200 mtrs along the beach where there are better sun beds and a bar which sells cheaper drinks and food. Our hotel surprisingly provides crap sun beds with no mattress. Spent the day soaking up the sun. Evening started with our first reasonable sunset and then splashed out £12 for our meal.

Koh Chang Island

Woke up with the skies mainly cloudy. Walked the short distance to the restaurant for our included buffet style breakfast. Choice of a rice dish or scrambled egg with ham and sausages. Orange or lime juice, tea or coffee, and toast. Also a selection of fresh fruit.

As the hotel is in a secluded bay, as nice as it may be, there is not a lot to do unless you hire a motorbike or car. We took a walk around the hotel grounds and as usual managed to find several butterflies to photograph. Looked at the boat trips available to smaller islands nearby, maybe try one of these before we leave. Decided to walk the 3 km to the nearest fishing village. Since tourists starting coming in greater numbers after electricity and phone lines were installed in 2000, not much of the old way of life remains, but still a quaint place to wander around and have lunch.The walk back to the hotel again saw more butterflies and even some wild monkeys up in the trees.

Walked along the beach in the evening and found a quiet restaurant for our evening meal.

A day of travel

Our hotel did not have breakfast included, so we had bought yoghurt's and rolls the day before. Only ate the yoghurts with a cup of tea, and kept the rolls to eat on the bus. The train station was immediately in front of our hotel, so not far to carry bags. Bangkoks railway system is very efficient and is constructed on top of large concrete pillars which carry it over the congested roads below. the bus station was only one stop away and cost 15 bht each.... 33p. The first part of our journey to Koh Chang would be a 5.1/2 hr journey by bus to the ferry terminal, 331 kms... £5 each. Just missed the 3.00 ferry so had to wait till 4.00, the crossing took 50 mins. We were apprehensive that picking up a taxi to our hotel may be a problem, as reports on the Internet indicated the final bit of the road to it was only a very bumpy and twisty dirt track not really suitable for cars. Although true about the road , no problem getting a taxi, they just increase the price. The journey took 1.1/2 hrs as we were dropping other travellers on the way. The island is only 12 miles by 6 and the road system does not yet circle it. Most of the island is covered in mountainous jungle.
Our hotel, Tropical Beach Resort, has its own private beach, and accommodation is round huts with thatched roofs. The more expensive huts have the beach at there door step, ours at only half the price is still only 60 mtrs. Booked in for 4 nights.

Saigon to Bangkok

10th JANUARY.

Our 6 days in Vietnam have been very enjoyable and our initial concerns unnecessary, so perhaps it will stay on our list to do again. This morning our taxi arrived at 7.30 to take us to the airport. The  journey of only 30 mins had Janina on the edge of her seat as the car sped through the crowded streets, twisting and turning as it avoided 100's of motor bikes that appeared and vanished in front of us. For example, if you are coming up to a tee junction and turning right, you do not look left..... it is up to the that traffic to keep an eye on you and let you in. Tee junctions and most crossroads do not have traffic lights, these are only seen at major junctions. Vietnam has a population of 89 million, and 22 million motorbikes, 5 million of those in Saigon.

Our hotel in Bangkok is out of the city centre, but near to the bus station for our journey down to Koh Chang Island tomorrow.  Our room has all facilities and very big, furnished in a boutique style with black wood furniture. Janina has gone to bed early as she has fallen in love with the soft pillow, time for me to go as well.......Goodnight 

Visit to the CU CHI TUNNELS

The included breakfast at our hotel is simple but sufficient to start the day. Weather forecast for today of 28c with partly cloudy afternoon.

This morning we were picked up at 8.00 am for our half day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels which are 70 Kms north of Saigon. Not good on history and unfortunately are guide did not speak very good English. I understand they were used by the North Vietnamese.......Viet Cong or VC, as they invaded the south and moved ever closer to Saigon, as a defence against the Americans who were trying to push them back.

They repaired and extended a network of underground tunnels and chambers which had been used in a previous war. There were more than 250km of tunnels which included escape routes to the river or to the outside of the American base. This became their homes and they only ventured out at night when attacking the Souths fighting forces. Unfortunately the Americans made a base almost over the top of them and it took months to figure out why they kept getting shot at in their tents at night. That's your history lesson for today.

Our first stop was a local handicraft centre. Here they hand painted or inlaid shells to produce wonderfully colourfull and decorative vases, boxes, pictures, screens and trinkets. We were allowed to watch the people painting, and the cutting, shaping and fitting of the shells.

Painting tiles



Intricate cut shell pieces



Shapes glued into place



Vases and pictures

Our tour of the tunnels included dropping about 3 mtrs down a shaft and into one of the  tunnels...... Although it had been enlarged to cater for western people, even so you were nearly on your knees, and shuffling 30 mtrs to an exit. These were classed as level 1, level 2 and 3 down a further 3 and 6 mtrs. We were shown the intricate methods of bringing air into the tunnels and dispersing the smoke from cooking without the Americans finding them. Also the booby traps set for soldiers that came too close, some were quite gruesome.



Janina entering tunnel through enlarged trap door.



Arrived back at 3.00pm. and took these pictures around our hotel.



Buying small bunch of flowers for his wife



Something a little bigger



Street fruit seller



Our hotel down an alley off this road.



First day in Saigon(Ho Chi Minh City)

Our hotel room is very good, soft bed and pillows, fridge and telly, bathroom with separate shower and hot water, air conditioning and free wifi, and breakfast included. It is the heart of the backpackers area but down an alley away from the noise. For Janina the only problem is two flights stairs.

Today we have walked to the indoor market.....visited more markets in the last 5 weeks than the last 5 years!!!!.

On top of the job

Asleep on the job

 As it is Sunday the streets were not as busy as expected. There are 22 million motorbikes in Vietnam, I'm sure most are here. There are pedestrian crossings, but they are not recognised by bikes and cars, so at the slightest gap you just start walking and don't stop, they will drive around you. If you stop then you're likely to get run over. If unsure keep close to the locals when they cross. Then on to the Cathedral which unfortunately was closed to visitors due to weddings taking place. As the happy couple came out they had their photographs taken in the middle of the road with bikes and cars whizzing by.

The happy couple

The Notre Dam Cathedral

Strolled down a pretty side street trying to find the Botanical Gardens, but finished up in homebody's back yard. The gardens are combined with the zoo so had to pay an entrance fee of 40p. Spent couple of hours photographing butterflies Used taxi for return to hotel.