Vietnam Itinerary
Date: Oct 10th, 2004 9:27:52 am - Subscribe
Mood: excited
Was emiled my tour itinerary this weekend- tours around vietnam are SO unbelievably cheap it's amazing. Can't wait to share some photos of halong bay- it looks amazing.
Tomorrow I go to drop off my passport to apply for a visa (cutting it a bit fine). This week I also have to go get all the appropriate shots and pills so I don't die 
DAY 1: ( 25/10 ) ARRIVAL - HANOI
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that
retains an unique old world charm and some Asia 's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing
atmosphere. If time permits we embark on a cyclo for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the
specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.
DAY 2: ( 26/10 ) HANOI - HALONG
After breakfast this moirning we leave hanoi for Halong bay truely one of the World Herritage in Viet Nam along the way to Halong
bay yo could make stops for beautifull photos of rice paddy fields by Red river delta. On Arrival we embark for a cruise to explore
Halong bay with 3000 limestone islands amazing rising from clear and emeral water. We are also visist Thien Cung and Dau Go cave
in halong Bay.
DAY 3: ( 27/10 ) HALONG - HANOI
Continueing our boat trip after breakfast on board this morning to Bai Tu Long ( Dragon Childs ) before heading back to boat land
and return to Hanoi. On the way to Hanoi via Dong Trien Ceramic village, a traditional hand craft village in Northern Viet Nam. O/n
in Hanoi
DAY 4: ( 28/10 ) HANOI CITY TOUR
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi
Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose
origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first
university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake
and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history, are not to be missed. We visit
these
sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will
see a fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)
DAY 5: ( 29/10 ) HANOI - SAPA
An early morning start to drive towards Sa Pa. The roads are bumpy at times, but various scenic landscape changing from the delta
area to the Tonkinese Alps make for an interesting journey. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa was once a hill resort of French
administrators when the summer heat became unbearable. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of ethnic minority people are a
highlight of Sa Pa although conditions are basic. After checking into hotel in Sapa we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we
want by spending time to wander around. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street
sell local textiles and handicraft. O/N in Sa Pa. (B)
DAY 6: ( 30/10 ) SAPA
The range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnam's highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today
we have enough time to visit the bustling Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities
converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We then get well off the beaten track
as we embark on a walk to explore this beautiful mountain region. Along the way we traverse several rustic villages and see many
mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging , herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of verdant mountain backdrop
and colourful population makes for an unimaginable view. O/N in Sa Pa. (B)
DAY 7: ( 31/10 ) SAPA - BACHA ( Sunday)
Upon leaving Sapa we set off on our scenic drive through the border town of Lao Cai to the colourful Sunday Market at Bac Ha.
This market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay.
They still retain their old age cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The experience of
this congregation is colorful and unique. After the market we enjoy a walk around the area, visiting the Hmong King's former
residence and Ban Pho where the villagers make the potent local maize alcohol. O/N in Bac Ha. (B)
DAY 8: ( 01/11 ) BAC HA - HANOI
The return journey begins as we depart Bac Ha Town and pass through the green and rugged mountain scenery to Hanoi. These
back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as
interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long , but we can can make many stops at our
pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)
Day 9: ( 02/11 ) Hanoi.
There is a morning at leisure till cooking calss at Hoa Sua Restaurant. You will have your lunch menu to go for shoping in a local
market in Hanoi and prepare lunch for your self at the restaurant. Afternoon free time for shopping.
Day 10: ( 03/11 ) Ha Noi
Viet nam is one of the famous country known as wide range of handdy craft works. Van Phuc silk village and Bamboo paiting factory
will be visited today before transfer back to your hotel. In the afternoon you will have time for the last shoping in Hanoi.
Day 11: ( 04/11 ) Hanoi Departure
After breakfast this moring we will have transfer to Noi Bai airport and close our Northern Vietnam Experience.
Comments: (2)
All booked, hoorah!
Date: Oct 7th, 2004 8:57:38 am - Subscribe
Mood: adventurous
Visited my friendly travel agent at living adventure today, and got flights and all that jazz booked. Seriously if you're looking at booking any sort of trip I suggest you check these guys out. They're on rundle street a few shops down from Hungry Jacks 
Itinerary:
Mon 25th Oct:
Adelaide(06:00)-->Sydney
Sydney-->Hanoi
Tour Vietnam for 10 days
Thurs 4th Nov:
Hanoi-->Paris
Fri 5th Nov:
Paris-->London
London-->Guernsey
Guernsey sightseeing (Channel Islands)
Thurs 11 Nov:
Guernsey-->London
London-->Dublin
Meet up with bec, sample some guinness.
Sun 21 Nov:
Dublin-->London
Train up to Leicester, then on to Edinburgh (Scotland). Train down to Manchester When I get tired of that
Wed 22 Dec:
Manchester-->Paris
Paris-->Ho Chi Minh (saigon)
Thurs 23 Dec:
Ho Chi Minh-->Sydney
Christmas Eve:
Sydney-->Adelaide (14:00)-->Sleep!
Comments: (1)
Well well well
Date: Oct 5th, 2004 3:16:50 am - Subscribe
Mood: young
Quite happy with this service... and no ads! woohoo. If you're after a weblog I suggest you check these guys out (linky on the bottom of the page). They've only got a small client base but it still looks promising.
Anyway as far as the holiday goes, I'm driving down to Victor Harbor tomorrow to organise airfares etc (cutting it a bit fine I know).
So far it looks like the plan is Vietnam --> The Channel Islands (france) --> Ireland with bec --> London/Leicstershire to visit lyn --> Edinburgh (Scotland) to see if Emily and Mark are around... That reminds me, I have to call them!
oh and then --> Bankrupcy (or whichever comes first 
)
Should be a blast!
I'm just too happy to be on holidays from work to be worrying about the trip. Not sure if my relaxed state is the best for organisation.
Oh and my birthday drinkies look as though they'll be on saturday the 16th. Email me for details
Oh well, I'm off to look at luggage today... biyas!
Comments: (1)
First Post!
Date: Oct 4th, 2004 4:02:25 am - Subscribe
Mood: industrious
Well I'm having a bit of a test here... Trying out a few different online blog services to see which I should use when I'm on holidays in a few weeks time. I get sick of spam in my inbox with people on holidays- so thought a weblog was the better option My personal web hosting isn't the most reliable lately... so for peace of mind I'm trying this out
Keep checking back if you want to know what I'm up to! You could even drop me an email at marian @internode.on.net (without the spaces)
Ooh and you can leave me anonymous comments too! woohoo!
Comments: (5)