ludicrously speaking

While unloading my backpack, I’m hit by the fact that I am only emptying it for my trip to taiwan tomorrow. This time I’ve traveled enough to last me for the next 2 years… make that 5 months.

It’s the 4th day of my Bangkok trip with mum. Things have been going great, for her and thankfully me as well. Mum’s been quite a blast to hang out with. I actually do enjoy her company and she’s been really happy about all the plans we’ve made so far. She’s having a gastronomical time of her life here. Everything we eat, she beams and proceed to rave about how good and cheap the food is here! Phew! I’m relieved! We spent a lot of time during rides and “shopping breaks” chit-chatting about things that strangely we don’t talk about when we are living under one roof. Life perspectives, ambitions and past experiences - all of which have led me to better understand this brilliant woman that i proudly call mum. I think we’ve even worked out some differences we used to have back at home.

This trip has truly done more for me than i’ve expected.

New Hair

You wouldn’t believe this. My mum is actually egging me on to have my hair braided, and it’s those really grungy sort of dirty looking braids… So what’s a filial son to do but to do as told. Haha! I now have the ultimate backpacker hair-do! I love it! I’ve finally got one done along the roads of Khao San - something i’ve been itching to do since i first stepped foot on this road. And it’s such a adrenaline rush just to write about it. I look so bizzare i don’t even know what to make of myself. Ahaha…

Look out for my return! And i shall show you guys my new found crowning glory!

i’m off to bangkok a little too soon for comfort. I don’t think i’ve rested well enough, but a trip’s a trip! Who am i to start complaining? As i was having breakfast in the airport this morning, my sis gave me a ring to inform me about  yet another cheap SIA promo to Taiwan. This is gonna occur a day after my return from Bangkok… literally, back to back. I must have caught the flight fever, i’m going for it.

This is madness…

My niece is pleased as you can see.

Vividly Vietnam

This has been one seamlessly executed backpacking trip. Good weather throughout, timely arrivals and departures from town to town, well-organized day tours (ok, one bad one doesn’t count) and a whole lot of new experiences that will remain intact for the rest of my life. I’ve lost the feeling of waking up to excitement for a long time, thankfully this trip revived my weary mind in every possible way – jolting back my appreciation for the thrills in life.

In a flashback, I see myself cannon-balling off the deck of a boat, taking to the skies with a parachute, speeding on a motorbike around the scenic countryside, making spring-rolls by the sea and even relaxing under the soothing therapy of a blind masseur. All these highlight an unprecedented adventure that wouldn’t have had happened without the companion of a trustworthy friend. I thank you for sharing this once in a lifetime experience. It was enjoyable, it was tough at times… IT HAAARD (haha…paisey, just got to do it). But we’ve made this trip so god damn memorable it’s hard to fault it in its entirety. I cannot wait to share the photos with all my friends.


same same but Different

You never know how important it is till it’s missing. When I stepped into the airport last night, swear to god it felt like I was returning to civilization and that’s not to say Vietnam was a mess of raging baboons and man-eating hyenas….oh wait, hmm. I actually got a kick out of the orderly efficient queue at the customs and pleasantly greeted an officer that wasn’t at all dodgy-looking. The cab ride home (sans honking) was quick, effortless and most importantly, quiet. Nearly wanted to thank the taxi uncle for not speaking to me. Haha.. “Uncle, xie xie ni mei you gen wo jiang hua!”

In a country such as Vietnam, I understand how sometimes the locals can seemed boorish and rather unapproachable. If we seriously consider their war-torn history and how they are still trying to rebuild their national identity plagued with poverty and crime, it’s only logical that people are only concern about their own livelihood trying to be self-sufficient and be wary of one another. That’s why as much as the locals there felt we looked similar to them, I guess one distinction rules out all speculation. Sophistication. Only countries such as ours can afford to factor things such as tact and etiquette into our daily interactions. We should be very grateful we have these options and not judge those who can’t.

When I finally reached home past midnite all worn and drained, my mum cooked me a feast of a supper as I briefly account to her how my trip went. She was visibly pleased with the 50cents chilli sauce I bought just hours before my flight along with her other gifts. It makes me happy to see her happy, gives me that warm fuzzy feeling about being at home.

I’m glad to be back.

In the tour agency waiting for my bus off to the historical site. I hope the day goes well. Yesterday was so hot i nearly died under the glaring ray of the sun. htf wasn’t feeling all that good for most parts of the day - queasy stomach and humid weather proved to be a lethal combo.

Louise was stuck at the airport due to luggage check-in issue and so we didn’t meet up eventually, however she did drop us a mail to inform us so that was nice of her. We met the boys for dinner and coffee. A short but hearty chit chat that ended all too soon as we all needed rest for our final day here.

Back tonight. *yawnz*

Phew! I finally arrived in Ho Chi Minh in the wee hours this morning. The train ride was nothing to shout about, but it was indeed a comfortable sleeping berth. A father and his son shared our cabin and thankfully they kept their grating native tongue to a minimal. I slipped in and out of sleep throughout the earlier part of the journey but had a rewarding 6 full hours sleep in the night.

We spoke very little thoughout the journey since we were not exactly in the most comfortable position to converse, but the lack of verbal contact was good. I think we need to go home soon, we are nearly at each other’s throats having spent the last 11 days together. It happens when topics becomes mind-numbling repetitive and disagreements end in silence way too often. I remember having go through similar episode in taiwan: when i went out shop-hunting on my own one day while htf decides to hibernate in the hotel. Two very strong willed individuals need their space at this time. Nothing to fret or worry about, it’s just the way we are.

We bumped into a couple of fellow backpackers along the way back and we are meeting them to catch up today. First there is Louise, an English gal we met in Dalat after our Easy Rider tour - she was convinced then to take our lead and do a similar tour. When we met her in Hoi An the second time, we knew it must be fate! So she had wanted to meet us up for lunch during her 2 hour transit before heading back to England and we’ll have to see if we do meet her at our scheduled meeting place in a bit. Following that, we do drinks with two English boys from London tonight. Met them in Nha Trang when we island hopped. They’ll be leaving for Cambodia tomorrow, guess it’ll be good to sit them down and hear about their plan for the rest of their trip.

One more day in Vietnam to shop and look around. I will go grab a massage at the visually disabled association once again before i leave, and hopefully find some good buys in the last hours. Wee! I’m off!

Bye Hoi An! Thanks for the memories! The clothes, people and food! You will be missed.