Hanoi - Vietnam (My Tour Adventure)

From Halong Bay to Hanoi. In fact, the previous day itself for arriving in Hanoi by 8.00pm. Nothing much for the day (Siem Reap Cambodia). Impossible right by this hour? We had dinner and of course, we were told we can check out the shops within the vicinity of our hotel (Angkor Wat)l. I think some of the tour buddies did, but not me. I showered and since wifi was hell in my room despite me paying, I had no choice but to sit at the cramped up lobby for internet connection. For an hour and then, back to my room for good night everyone (Ho Chi Minh City). Next morning, by 9.00am, standing in the snaking queue for entering Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Cold weather literally shivering me and oh-god! The rules before entering Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum? No camera, no hand-phone or switch off your phone, no laptop, handbags screened, hands by your side and no talking. Basically, no picture or video taking and silence must be golden. Then what once you walk in? At the riffles of the guards who stood like robots throughout and you taking less than 5 minutes for seeing HO Chih Minh lying in state before walking out. That's all? Yep. That's all. Honestly, I can't tell you if it's the original Ho Chi Minh or his wax. And so strict rules for seeing him or his wax? Duh! Glad I saw though nothing really like me feeling overwhelmed. 

Halong Bay (Vietnam) - Nature Wonder Of The World

Really. Really really early morning jump start. By 7.00am if I am not mistaken and the earliest so far for a matter of fact. Breakfast in hotel before the long drive to Halong Bay (Siam Reap Cambodia). Of course, in between we taking a couple of comfort breaks and lunch as well, but basically, putting our butts in the coach throughout the day (Angkor Wat & Ho Chi Minh City). I guess then, best will be catching up on our sleep for ditching aside tiredness which trust me has already accumulated. Tiredness due to action packed sightseeing for the last few days. Did I sleep? I sure did. Me catching up on my sleep or sleep catching up on me, whichever, and while on our way to Halong Bay, rain shelling heavily. Thus, driver slowly down his speed to driving and prior to us arriving in the hotel by 9.00pm, followed by dinner immediately and heading to our respective rooms.   

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Let's Explore Together

Siem Reap. Like I have already told you, the main highlight in Siem Reap? Must do. Must explore. Must experience. Angkor Wat. Otherwise, don't bother coming this far or near from wherever you are. What else can you embark on in Siem Reap? Maybe, best will be me sharing what we did in Siem Reap and then, you can decide if you want to opt for the same (Ho Chi Minh City). Our day starting on the same note, hotel buffet breakfast, followed by. Artisan d’Angkor. Artisan d'Angkor. Set up as a social responsibility form for lending support for the underprivileged boys and girls. Training them on hand skills for ensuring they can positively move forward in life now and forever. 

Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia) - Ultimate Grandest

Last night’s dinner hunger story (Ho Chi Minh City)? Hellish! I don't even want to talk about. Cramping bus loads of tourists in one specific, no doubt a spacious space, for buffet and cultural show thrown in. Madness. Hardly any space for even pulling out your chair and standing in the queue amongst the hungry like wolves, all walk of life humans? Not my scene. Not at all. Pushing, rushing and waiting, as though you are begging for free meal. I ate so little and I quickly left. To my room within five minutes walk, I showered and to curb my hunger, a hot cuppa of coffee, before literally forcing sleep over me.   

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) - Let's Explore Together

My first ever solo travel (Bangkok Thailand Part 2 & Chonburi). Tadaa! I did it. I sure did. A proud moment of mine. In fact, one of the most proudest by far in my entire life. Me daring myself to travelling alone (Ayutthaya). Thereafter? On the go again. Thanks to the insights, mainly on courage and ditching aside fear I have already picked up. But not as in solo, solo again. I actually joined a tour group. Where to? Vietnam & Cambodia by paying more compared to the stated amount due to single room occupant. Otherwise, everything else being equal and square. Same package basically. The day arrived and off to the airport where tour guide was already on stand-by, and before going up in the air for landing in Tan Son Nhat airport, followed by to Liberty Central Hotel for our one night stay. At this juncture, friendship ice-berg still at it rawness. Meaning? Friendship water has not been broken though we did smile at each other and after collecting our keys, off to our respective rooms. My room. Sincerely. A comfort zone. Nothing to complain about. Simple yet elegant. Spic and span, and ample space for me, myself and I.  

Royal Thai Handicraft Center - Bangkok (Thailand)

The in between, between our sightseeing (Bangkok Part 2)? Stop-over in Royal Thai Handicraft Center (Ayutthaya & Bangkok Part 1). A promising start once you stand outside for admiring the craftsmanship and craftswoman-ship. Trust me, admirable skills. But these men or women at work. They can't be bothered in looking at you. Like zombies, they will just continue doing what they are doing. No action and reaction even if you try to make eye contact or you want to smile at them. I suppose we just leave them alone? Logically.

Bangkok,Thailand - Through My Canon (Part 2)

 

Back to the hotel after a fulfilling tour in Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya Thailand). Quite a tiring one too. In and out of the bus and sightseeing by itself, you gotto walk your legs from one end to the other hunny bunny. Let's not also forget about the weather in Thailand. Mostly, burning sun. Even so, my enthusiasm for more of Bangkok (Bangkok Thailand Part 1) didn't dwell. I still wanted more and the more awaiting me tonight, Calypso Cabaret Show. Sandwich and a drink packed back from MBK Mall and me tucking in, in my room and by 7.00pm, off to Calypso Cabaret Show by hopping into the van. Calypso Cabaret Show. My-My! Colorful costumes, fun, fantastic, lively, raunchy, sexy, laughter, crowd pleasing, crowd teasing and polished performance by the lady boys. What a show. A show which kept my glued to my seat for an hour. Simply superb.