………from Nimh Bimh!!!!!! We ‘re just happy to be alive today as yesterday was quite harrowing. It started off innocently enough as we had a good sleep and an early start to the bus station to catch a bus to Halong Bay, an area we had heard so much about and were looking forward to spending 2-3 days there. Our bus was to leave at 8:30am and at 8am we were quickly told to get aboard and that was before we could grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat before we headed out on what was supposed to be a 3 hour trip. So off we go with this middle aged man who quite obviously did not like us…….and I kept smiling and was trying to be polite and do as I was told but he just got ruder so I sat in my seat and became very quiet. From there on the trip was uneventful and four hours later he stopped in the middle of the highway and without talking signaled that we get off. We were stunned and tried to ask where do we go but he just took our bags, threw them on the side of the highway and because Marilyn was the last to get off he literally pushed her and closed the door. Needless to say we were pissed and somewhat confused because this obviously was not the bus station. On top of this the weather was crap and we were in a state of shock because for the past two weeks there has been nothing but sunshine……..and very polite people. So we took a taxi into town, had a coffee, checked the weather, which although warm, was going to remain extremely foggy and rainy for the next few days. Halong City itself was no treat and we had come because of the islands and now, because of the weather, the boats were grounded so we decided to use this as a travel day and go south. Being careful not to get more bad information about ‘bad’ buses we went to a very respectable travel agency where the people were very helpful but they could not sell us tickets and told us where to go for the bus and what to ask for and from there we took a taxi.
From there the trip went south and so did we! We paid for the first class air conditioned bus but what we got was a larger minivan than the previous ones but not so crowded. We got herded on so fast we couldn’t even ask a question and quickly realized that we had been duped……..yet again! Before too long, after many stops, the bus was packed so tight there was standing room only and we were saying our prayers. I have never seen Jim on such high alert…………no one dosed off on that trip. Right about now I could go on a Rick Mercer rant but I won’t because I want to put that trip behind me……….although I will never forget it. Instead I think I will acutally have a scotch and hopefully find a good meal in this interesting little town and with any luck maybe even a green beer. Hopefully your day will be great and have a good party Andrea and Andrew. Thanks for all the messages and touch base tomorrow.
journeywithmadonna 
It’s unfortunate about the weather but hang in there. I work with a Vietnamese woman (actually Canadian but her parents were “boat people” who emigrated to Montreal). Anyway, I mentioned that some friends of mine were in Vietnam and I asked her if there was only one thing she could recommend for you to do, what would it be. She said it would be to visit Halong Bay. Hope the sky clears soon! Lin and I will toast you later on with some beer (green if I can find it!).
Cheers!
BTW … here’s a little story to put an Irish smile on your face.
Three men go to the pub for a pint, an Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman. A fly lands in each man’s pint. The Englishman shoves his pint away in disgust and asks for another. The Scotsman caring less, takes the fly out flicking it aside, and drinks from his pint. The Irishman grabs the fly shaking it furiously, shouting, “Spit it out you bleeding bastard, spit it out!
Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Oh dear, your experience was so unlike ours. Before reading today’s entry, I was telling Kathryn, my travel companion, that had you been able to go to Halong Bay first to regroup in what is a more typical vacation atmosphere, you would have felt better about Hanoi. Now you don’t even have a Halong Bay experience. A shame. We loved our two days in the bay on the Hanoi Opera seeing the formations, kayaking and spending time on the beach.
Hope things improve. Drink more beer.
You know my motto, when all else fails, have a scotch!
By the way, I’m really enjoying the blog and travelling vicariously with you guys because basically I’m too chicken to do it myself!
Love,
Bis
Just reading the Globe – Sat Mar 17, Travel section – there’s a big article on Cambodia. See if you can access it with your iPad.
Hi Beany its Steve Alisons husband , MY son travelled in this region extensively last year . for travelling he always used a company called Sinh Cafe who have a good reputation as you. have found there are some crap outfits.There are some fake sinh cafe s so you have to make sure you get the real company. From what he found says it might be useful to make it obvious you are from Canada and not the south
Oh my gosh Donna, another adventure! Keep writing so interesting.
Tried to brush O,R’s teeth the other day,well , he was having no part of it! He shook his head away from me several times, and ,took a dive and buried his whole head in the corner of the sofa and under two pillows! Wish we had been able to get a picture but we were too busy laughing!
Oh Cathy…that’s so funny! We’ve had the same problem and I’ve long given up……such a terrible mom but you’re a great nonna……..thans so much.