The Crossening

Suostei everybody!

I am in Phnom Penn and it is hotter than Satan's left nut! Why the left one, I hear you ask, because statistically the left one hangs lower than the right so it's closer to the flames.

Lots and lots has happened since my last post and a few of my photos didn't upload from before so this might be a big one.

👆🏾 new favourite girl group from Hanoi

👆🏾 Amazing Cave. I'm standing up because in my mind that was less claustrophobic than sitting

👆🏾 the long awaited dip in Halong Bay

Not gonna lie, was pretty annoyed at the US family who kept us waiting because they were faffing about. And they didn't even apologise for making us wait and we only ended up having an hour to swim. What a bunch of rude bastards!

Oh and one of the dads kept hocking up god knows what at every meal!

The kid to adult ratio was really off too, which leads me to think they were mormon. Not that that matters, they were annoying regardless.

👆🏾 at the Long Bien (Dragon Tail) bridge

This was with the jeep tour. Was very fun. We had to cross the busy road to get on to the railway track and take our photos before the next train.

👆🏾 bamboo boats at Hoi An.

We went up (or down) the river and did some crab fishing. I reckon my crab was the old battered boxer of the lot - he was missing one of his big claws and three little legs. We did ask and the crabs were returned to the river to be caught by other tourists who visited. I was glad to hear that because I became quite attached to my busted up crab.

Hoi An is where I got my tailored dress and I am so stoked with it!

👆🏾 Lunch stop and quick walk at Nha Trang.

I was loving the geology here! Was the only one looking at the rocks while everyone else admired the ocean. Saw some really cool dikes around here.

👆🏾 geology rock star!

👆🏾 settling in for the overnight train ride.

Thank god I had my sleeping bag with me! Didn't want to think about the drool and what else that pillow has seen.

Got in to Saigon about 6am.

👆🏾 At the Cu Chi Tunnels

Second time I've been to the tunnels. Took a wide berth around the traps this time, they're still seared into my memory, no wonder Vietnam vets came home with severe PTSD - that shit is fucked up!

It's so eerie to walk around the tunnels. The jungle is still so dense and the sound of AK47s in the near distance, plus the traps etc... stuff of nightmares. Respect for the Cu Chi fighters!

And once again I did not make it in to the actual tunnels but The Bont did! Champ bloke!

👆🏾 snake wine

Visited the Mekong (pronouced maykong) Delta and sampled some rice wine and snake wine. I really like rice wine, it'll put balls on your chest! Snake wine was ok but a little sweet for my liking.

👆🏾 enjoying the quiet cruise

👆🏾 loved these hats so much I ran out to the Saigon markets to buy my own!

👆🏾 Mekong delicacy, you pick the flesh off the fish and wrap it in rice paper with cucumber and greens

👆🏾 at the pottery factory. Watching the pottery process is super satisfying!

👆🏾 our beautiful homestay on the Mekong Delta.

We had a cooking class and delicious dinner where I got to enjoy a few (4) wines (more like whiskies) with the host (champ bloke).

Also enjoyed some exotic tropical fruit and watch the drama unfold between one of our crew and a spider! Fucking funny!

👆🏾 our Mekong guide, Dao. Amazingly she was the same guide I had back in 2019! She remembered my face. Goes to show my big smile and chubby cheeks are unforgettable.

👆🏾 Beer Street in Saigon. Was a lot less crowded but just as noisy. Saw people (including young kids) fire breathing. A beggar practically dropped her kid in my lap! I'm sorry but her daughter was wearing earrings and a braclet so I wasn't convinced they were on the bones of their arses and I don't appreciate having rando babies dropped in my lap. Barely like family babies touching me... or family... or anybody... leave me alone!

👆🏾 she was so tiny! She pinched his nipple then came over to give my friend a hug and patted her left boob.

This morning we left Saigon early and I am already missing Vietnam but fear not, I shall be back!