Vietnam
Today we left early, meeting Matt from the previous night. We left in a taxi, only the 3 of us this time and made for the Cambodia/Vietnam border ; a tiny little place about 3 hours NE from Kampot that I cannot even remember the name of.
We got through Cambodia immigration and walked the few hundred yards through no mans land to the Vietnam Border control. We got through with no problems, after visa and baggage check. Vietnam was like coming back to the 21st centrary agian, paved roads and no mud.
We got a few moto bike drivers to take us to the connecting bus station about 30km away. they took us to thier friends mini van rental company and promptly demanded $20 each to take us to Siagon. We started laughing and soon got a bit stressed out when they all of a sudden seemed not to speak english when we mentioned 'Bus Station' Eventually they saw the light and took us there. That took 30 mins of time wasted.
Got to bus station and got tickets for $4 each leaving at 14.00 which gave us time for lunch which we had from a local stall, very nice and a buck each.
Got the bus which took from 2 untill about 10 to get to Siagon. We picked up another taxi to bring us to the local backpacker haunt, I was expecting Ko San Rd agian but was plesently suprised, very quite not many forigners around at all.
We rewarded ourselves with hot water and TV room and got changed. We went out around 10.30 for some food and drinks with Matt and some more americans we had met on the way, they seem like nice people, all english teachers in Bangkok.
My impressions of Vietnam so far are positive. It seems that everyone tries to rip you off as a starting point and then you can haggle common sense eventually. I think I can do it better, just need to have more patience!
The Vietnamese seem a very friendly and jolly bunch, everyone smiles and shakes your hand. A bunch of local women on the ferry boat today started rubbing our noses admiring how pointy they were as they see this as a sign of beauty.
This place should be fun.
We got through Cambodia immigration and walked the few hundred yards through no mans land to the Vietnam Border control. We got through with no problems, after visa and baggage check. Vietnam was like coming back to the 21st centrary agian, paved roads and no mud.
We got a few moto bike drivers to take us to the connecting bus station about 30km away. they took us to thier friends mini van rental company and promptly demanded $20 each to take us to Siagon. We started laughing and soon got a bit stressed out when they all of a sudden seemed not to speak english when we mentioned 'Bus Station' Eventually they saw the light and took us there. That took 30 mins of time wasted.
Got to bus station and got tickets for $4 each leaving at 14.00 which gave us time for lunch which we had from a local stall, very nice and a buck each.
Got the bus which took from 2 untill about 10 to get to Siagon. We picked up another taxi to bring us to the local backpacker haunt, I was expecting Ko San Rd agian but was plesently suprised, very quite not many forigners around at all.
We rewarded ourselves with hot water and TV room and got changed. We went out around 10.30 for some food and drinks with Matt and some more americans we had met on the way, they seem like nice people, all english teachers in Bangkok.
My impressions of Vietnam so far are positive. It seems that everyone tries to rip you off as a starting point and then you can haggle common sense eventually. I think I can do it better, just need to have more patience!
The Vietnamese seem a very friendly and jolly bunch, everyone smiles and shakes your hand. A bunch of local women on the ferry boat today started rubbing our noses admiring how pointy they were as they see this as a sign of beauty.
This place should be fun.
posted by Fionn at 3:11 AM
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