Walked to the hostel yesterday - about 20mins, bit sweaty. Two nice Welsh girls in my dorm, and they persuade me to book the Halong Bay trip for the day after (today). BUmped into Lee in the hostel, and S&N arrived at 2pm for a lunch rendezvous. Catch up with them, they'd been in Halong Bay, and are off to Laos. Applied for a visa extension.
Planned for a quiet night, but Andy from Ninh Binh appeared in the bar, so had a beer with him. Then happy hour and cards. We were joined by a Chinese guy called Luan (?), and the Beer Bingo began, run by an Irish guy called Tom, from Stillorgan. Austrian girl called Meryl joined in as well.
Far too many shots, and we left the bar to get some cheap dinner. Barbecue was the solution, lots of burning oil. Didn't even remember that meal the next morning, only Lee bumped the memory. Left the others to find Ali & Scott. Couldn't find their hostel, but a cycle did a Google, and delivered me there. Got some Pho with them, exchanged travel stories and notes, and then a beer at their hostel. Stumbled home at 1am.
About ten minutes later, someone else stumbled in, and woke one of the girls in bed. 'Jake' was his name from the whisperings. Was afraid some coupling was in store, so I told him to shush, let them know I was awake. Found out today he's a bit of a wild child.
Breakfast and packing this morn, met James our tour guide, and about 30 others. About 2:1 girls to guys ratio. Two Welsh girls - Louise and Lachrissa, Jake the wild child (an Aussie), Norwegians, English, Danish... haven't everyone properly yet though. Bus journey was long - played cards with two Brits, entertained by Jake.
Boarded the boat, everyone chilled for a bit with beers. Boat stopped so we could jump off the side. Jumping from that height requires a 'don't think, just do' mentality - a moment of terror during freefall, then the elation of impact, and floating to the surface to be born again. One girl, a former diver, did a couple of backflips.
Kayaked a bit then, seeing a floating village and a big cave. Dinner next!
Planned for a quiet night, but Andy from Ninh Binh appeared in the bar, so had a beer with him. Then happy hour and cards. We were joined by a Chinese guy called Luan (?), and the Beer Bingo began, run by an Irish guy called Tom, from Stillorgan. Austrian girl called Meryl joined in as well.
Far too many shots, and we left the bar to get some cheap dinner. Barbecue was the solution, lots of burning oil. Didn't even remember that meal the next morning, only Lee bumped the memory. Left the others to find Ali & Scott. Couldn't find their hostel, but a cycle did a Google, and delivered me there. Got some Pho with them, exchanged travel stories and notes, and then a beer at their hostel. Stumbled home at 1am.
About ten minutes later, someone else stumbled in, and woke one of the girls in bed. 'Jake' was his name from the whisperings. Was afraid some coupling was in store, so I told him to shush, let them know I was awake. Found out today he's a bit of a wild child.
***
Breakfast and packing this morn, met James our tour guide, and about 30 others. About 2:1 girls to guys ratio. Two Welsh girls - Louise and Lachrissa, Jake the wild child (an Aussie), Norwegians, English, Danish... haven't everyone properly yet though. Bus journey was long - played cards with two Brits, entertained by Jake.
Kayaked a bit then, seeing a floating village and a big cave. Dinner next!
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