TravelStream™ news feed for member marina-todd on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/marina-todd en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 14 Nov 2004 09:03:42 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100269800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100269800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100269800/tpod.html Sun, 14 Nov 2004 09:03:42 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Hoi An, Vietnam

Happy in Hoi An is an understatement. Not only did it prove to be a beautiful and serene old town full of charm and treasures - but it's size also gave us the chance to get to know the people of Vietnam a little better. And of course Todd was able to hone his language skills!

Oh - and did I mention the shopping?? Todd and I are not well known for our shopping skills but we have certainly tried to make the most of the shopping lure in Hoi An. We just spent 2 million on clothes! (that's dong of course!...) Of course our money is almost gone so if anyone sees us approaching a shopping centre when back in Adelaide - please use force if neccesary to remove us!

All in all we were recommended to 4 different tailors so we didn't know how to choose. So we hired some bikes and decided to casually cycle by a few of them to decide. Well, that's almost impossible in Vietnam, once you show even a hint of interest - you're in! So the first tailor was it and it was the best decision. Stumbling across Toans shop was another one of those defining moments where you meet people so beautiful it moves you to tears.

Toan and her daughter Chau took us into their hearts and home and our visits to them over our 3 days in Hoi An became much more than tailoring sessions. They chatted with us, hugged us, taught us Vietnamese and invited us to eat with them. A delicious dinner was served in their shop inbetween trying on clothes and serving other customers. We did our best to help them close the deal!

When the time came to say goodbye I actually had watery eyes and miss them already. I feel like I have family in Vietnam now. (excuse while I go away and weep....)

Love Marina and Todd (except for the mushy bits!)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100272440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100272440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100272440/tpod.html Sun, 14 Nov 2004 08:53:44 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Nha Trang, Vietnam

Ok - it's tme to reveal our mystery indulgence for Nha Trang! Thank you for your entries, while they were interesting there was no winner. (I won't give away any names but someone replied with the following: "I believe the delicacy to be known as Boston Terrier!!!!!!")

And the announcement of our indulgence... drum roll please...... MUD BATHS! Three hours of pure pleasure as we soaked in mud baths and hot mineral baths, frolicked under waterfall showers, were captured by jet stream showers, enjoyed a casual swim in the mineral springs 38 degree pool and finally capped it off with a massage. And all this for AUD $30! Oo la la!

The women here are very strong in their massaging technique. As well as using their hands, they climbed up on the table and sat on us to massage us with their knees. Then they stood up and walked along our backs as well as cracking our necks. Afterwards we felt like we were floating... Todd thinks that if I wasn't around he may have got a little more out of his massage... shame!

Todd and I would like to ask our work mates to help us. Our holiday has proved to be so wonderful and with all these marvellous experiences, we have forgotten how to perform our duties. Therefore can the respective work places please prepare a re-training induction schedule for our return? Many thanks.

Again we've captured the moments on our digital camera to share with you. See the pics for yourself and we hope that all of you can enjoy such pleasures as we have in the near future. Love and peace!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100271960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100271960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100271960/tpod.html Sun, 14 Nov 2004 08:42:23 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Hoi An, Vietnam

I think I foolishly (in a previous journal) mentioned that we might invite people over for a Vietnamese meal once we returned. So we decided that we should prepare ourselves in case anyone held us to this offer... and Todd and I booked ourselves in for a Vietnamese cooking lesson in Hoi An.

I won't go into details here because we will need to keep an element of suprise and wonder once we do cook the meal - but if we can replicate the meal - you will truly be impressed!

Here are some pics to give you a glimpse and get those mouths watering again!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100101980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100101980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100101980/tpod.html Wed, 10 Nov 2004 11:15:27 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Halong Bay, Vietnam

ok after much excitement,and marinas disgust i paid $100,000 oops imean dong $ what was probably the lamest $7 us ive ever spent 10 minutes of korean / chinese guys laughing atb the litle roundeye at his first cock fight no metal tallen or blood just dust and feathers and roosters oir should i say chickens fighting each other , interesting but put on for tourist, the winner was declaire and evey one whent home , un impressed , i would have taken heaps of photos for you all, but photos wernt permitted , at least that s what i was told , onnly to find that everone else was taking photos ,despite the signs , and i let marina take the camera back to the hotel, any how im of for a drink see you all soon love this place veitnam lot s of love todd tambeit
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100096460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100096460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1100096460/tpod.html Wed, 10 Nov 2004 11:08:36 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Halong Bay, Vietnam

Like most of our days in Vietnam, our trip to Halong Bay was full of adventure, excitement and pleasure.

To get to the harbour we took our first ride on a motorbike taxi which proved to be less hair raising than we imagined it to be. I told my driver that he was good - he replied, 'yes good - look - one hand only!' Nice one Marina!

Once at the harbour we chartered our own boat to tour the Halong Bay - another indulgence, talk about lives of the rich and infamous! It was a little overwhelming (not to mention humbling) to step on the boat and realise there was a crew of 3 for only 2 of us! Here is a summary of the day: (please read while humming the tune of Gilligan's Island theme song in your head)

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale
a tale of a wonderful trip,
that started from the Halong port,
aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailin' man,
the Skipper brave and sure,
two passengers set sail that day,
for an eight hour tour,
an eight hour tour.

The weather was perfect that day,
the tiny ship was blessed.
With a wonderful host and cooking whiz, My
our pleasures would be served,
our pleasures would be served.

The ship sailed round the wonders of the splendid Hanong Bay
with Captain Thuy,
the Skipper Thanh.
the millionaire (Todd in his dreams) and his wife
a movie star, (Marina in her dreams)
the proffessor and Mary Ann,
here on Halong Bay tour!

Luckily the ending to our boat trip was a happier one than the poor Minnow (Gilligan Island reference) and after visiting the caves and islands of the areas as well as having a quick dip on one of the beaches, we returned home joyous.

Our lunch on board was delightful. We stopped at a floating fish market to choose our meal. I left the task of picking a fish to Todd because, even as a 'dishonest vegetarian', I couldn't bear to cast a death wish on a fish. I did give thanks to the fish for his forced sacrifice in a ceremonial prayer before I tucked into him - I hope it was enough!

Anyway, love to all - we hope you are well and we'll be in touch again soon.

Hugs, Marina and Todd

NEWSFLASH ** COMPETITION **
The first person who emails us answering the following question will win a souvenir!
Q: What indulgence are Marina and Todd planning in Nha Trang?
[Note: people who have travelled to Vietnam previously are not eligible to enter - we like to create a level playing field!]
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099842660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099842660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099842660/tpod.html Wed, 10 Nov 2004 10:10:54 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Hanoi, Vietnam

After walking down dimly lit streets, clutching our bags (ah! to be a suspicious Westerner!) we finally found the restaurant that served the local meal of Cha Ca. While the structural integrity of the restaurant was of slight concern the Cha Ca was delicious! (the whole floor bounced dramatically and often felt like it was about to cave in - note for cecco - I have now realised that your designs aren't so bad after all!)

It has been our favourite meal so far - fried fish with dill, herbs, peanuts and steamed rice! Todd also politely let them know that Aussies like their beer cold...

Maybe if you're lucky we'll try reproduce the meal on our return and invite you all round... (unlikely...don't get your hopes up! ;-) just teasing!)

Love to all!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099753080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099753080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099753080/tpod.html Sun, 07 Nov 2004 10:50:29 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Halong Bay, Vietnam

Dear Diary,

While I am impressed with Todd's overzealous desire to learn Vietnamese (he has purchased a notebook and pen to write down new words and carries two phrasebooks at all times!), I can't help but question his motives.

Does he sincerely wish to learn the language or does he secretly enjoy making all the women smile, blush and giggle when he speaks to them?

Yours truly (fading into the wallpaper, Marina ;-) teehee!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099728660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099728660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099728660/tpod.html Sat, 06 Nov 2004 03:17:40 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Halong Bay, Vietnam

Dear Diary,

Help! - Todd won't stop talking to me in broken English - how can I make him stop??!!
Examples he turns to me and says - We go hotel now? You like you buy?

quick updates:
- Taxi driver kicked us out of his cab because we wanted him to use the meter and he wouldn't so he dumped us in the gutter with our luggage!
- Just checked into our hotel and the staff actually gave us someone else's room - it took a while to realise though - the guy was very neat!
- 3 days in and Todd has realised that there are some downsides to eating Vietnamese food... I'll leave out the gory details.

All in all we are fit, happy and healthy! Love to all, Todd and Marina
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099560960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099560960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099560960/tpod.html Thu, 04 Nov 2004 05:18:49 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Hanoi, Vietnam

After spending 20 hours on planes and in transit lounges - (god Aussies stick out in the crowd!) we have finally arrived in Hanoi!

Todd was his usual social self and tried to befriend everyone - people next to him on the plane, standing in line beside him for 20 secs, regardless of whether that person understood him or not. He also practised every Vietnamese word he knew - all before reaching Hanoi. Marina meanwhile chose to sleep (boring!). p.s. why didn't anyone tell us the signs would all be in Vietnamese!!?? The movies are worth a brief mention - 2 Vietnamese films (all the dubbed voices were by the one person) which had a strange common theme of wives humiliating their husbands in slap-stick style.

Woke up this morning, overwhelmed, wondering if things would get better. We decided to treat ourselves and unwind at a luxury day spa - Zen Spa. (see the pics!) Also figured that it may be the only time we could afford it. Three hours later we emerged refreshed and ready for Vietnam! p.s. the highlights were the foot treatments - a scrub, massage, mud cover and wrapped in banana leaves. We didn't mind so much when the women jumped on our backs because they were so light but their tough fingers knew how to work our joints!

The rest of the day was spent wandering through alley ways, dodging traffic, window shopping and converting AUD-USD-VND-AUD-USD- to confusion! or is that confucious?!

Note: Vietnamese drivers have their horn ON more than off! And everyone drives in the overtaking lane so if you want to overtake you must use your horn, highbeams, etc (anything you can think of!) to make the car/truck/bike in front of you move over.

Stay tuned and chat soon! Thanks for all your emails - we are reading them but haven't had the chance to respond yet.

Love Todd and Marina
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099195200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099195200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/marina-todd/vietnam_04/1099195200/tpod.html Sun, 31 Oct 2004 10:01:08 -0500 Venture to Vietnam

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Adelaide, Australia

While we haven't actually left Adelaide, our Vietnamese cultural experience has well and truly begun!

On Friday night our Vietnamese friends, Minh and Nhung, took us to a Vietnamese restaurant - Sunflower - on Days Rd. They welcomed us under their wings to teach us the cuisine delights and Vietnamese language.

Minh's wife, Nhung took the lead and ordered for all (in Vietnamese) so we had no idea what we were about to consume. I secretly hoped I had made it clear that I was one of those 'difficult' vegetarians - fish and chicken only.

The first dish presented a stack of rice papers and bundle of ingredients for cold rolls. Nhung offered to make my first roll but instructed me to watch so I could do the next. They were delicious! I must have looked awkward in my preparation because Todd made my next roll.

The next meals were fish soup and fish hot pot with rice. Again - more delicious fare! Todd "I'll eat anything" was surprisingly sceptical of the floating fish fat in the soup but in true Todd style, tried it all. Minh and Nhung were impressed with Todd's chopstick technique, meanwhile, they asked if I would prefer cutlery...

Long after most of us were full - Todd kept clicking his chopsticks, enjoying the feast and shovelling food into his mouth. I wondered if I would have to roll him back to the hotel after dinner each night in Vietnam.

Towards the end of the meal Minh and Nhung began teaching us some key words. Minh reached into the hot pot and pulled out a piece of bacon. Bacon? Bacon! Despite my internal horror - I remained silent - to be gracious. Minh and Nhung were such wonderful hosts and I did not want to offend or upset them with my bacon dramas. I took it as a sign of things to come that I would have to deal with. The Vietnamese have a saying, "Better to be an honest meat eater than a dishonest vegetarian." I think they wrote that for me!

Our language lesson continued and we learnt important words such as thankyou and hello. Todd also learnt to ask for a specific brand of Vietnamese cigarettes and I learnt to order cold rolls!

Overall it was a fantastic and fun night - thanks to the wonderful spirit and generous hospitality of Minh and Nhung. It has added to the excitement and anticipation of our trip. Only 3 more sleeps!

Love to all, Marina and Todd xxx
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