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  Hanoi, Vietnam
Friday, July 1, 2005

OK, I was pretty angry when I wrote that entry yesterday - now I'm positively raging! Myself and Christopher had breifly re-entered the world of digital photography, chipping in scarce dollars together and mining the visa cards for all they were worth - we got a beauty of a camera with memory card for $430. I was just about to post the photos onto the site. We bought it 3 days ago. Last night we went out for a meal and a few quiet beers. SOME THEIVING, DECEIVING, HORRIBLE LITTLE VIETNAMESE BASTARD slyly dispossed me of my camera. I never even knew it was gone. It was firmly attached to my belt! The first I knew was when I went to take a photo and the case was empty! I think it was a moto driver. I am still in a state of total disbeleif and dispair.

Immediately after it happened, we went straight to the police station. We had a lovely Vietnamese lady (they do exist) to translate for us and she wrote a full report in their language of what happened. The police then refused to give us anything, even though the incident had happened litterally on their doorstep. With an evil stare they told us - "not our problem, get out of here" and fobbed us off to another station. Of-course the other station told us to bugger off without even a second glance. When my camera was stolen in Saigon, I went to the police in Nha Trang - "hello sir, is this the police station" - "go away" - "I'm sorry mate? Is this the police station? I've lost my camera and need a report for insurance" - "come on lets go" - "what?" - "lets go". They then manhandled me off the premises and tossed me into the street.

My hatred for this country cannot be put into words. I would recommend to anyone I ever met, NEVER to come here. Although it has amazing beaches, interesting history and quality nightlife, so do most other places I've been to in the world. Indeed I've fallen in love with most other places I've been to. BUT DON'T COME HERE! Worse things can happen for sure when you're travelling, but you will be sure to get ripped off, robbed, deceived and lied to for almost every day of your existance here - and there's not a goddamn thing you can do about it! The best thing about being in Vietnam is knowing you can leave.

Raul - I'm always a man to find out things for myself, but I wish I'd taken your advice and stayed the hell outta here mate.

There is some good news, I managed to infiltrate the Russian Embassy yesterday and even though they don't normally process visa applications unless you have original documents, with a bit of Scottish charm and surely some serious respect for my ridiculous Kossack style moustache, they accepted it! I should have my Russian Visa by Monday and then joy! - I'll finally be able to emerge from this cess-pit of a country!

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