Day 68 - Politics and chilling out

This is how the day started and developed for the most part.

Day 68 - 30th August

I woke up fairly early on Sunday and started to do a little writing. Once I was satisfied with an hour's work, I did some laundry - roughly translated, I filled my bathroom sink with hot water and scrubbed my boxers, socks, shirts and shorts with X men soap (not marvel, it's a brand here).

By 9, I was in the breakfast area having another . . . Yeah, you guessed it, banana pancake. And as ever, it was awesome.

Abigail joined me shortly afterwards and we had a great discussion about politics, social struggles in Cambodia, our volunteering, my writing (my favourite subject) and university. She's not a bad egg, that Abigail, despite me teasing her all the time. It's nothing personal, I assure her.

The awesome Mexican meal.

Nice touch in Viva.

When Dan joined us around 11, we headed out to Viva Mexican restaurant for some lunch. When an amputee street seller said hello to me, I turned to shake his hand. Instead of doing so, I forgot I held a margarita in my hand and threw it all over the table, my chair and in my lap. A nearby English chap, called Ron, who was in his late sixties, laughed and engaged in a conversation with us. He was a nice guy.

The bridge over troubled waters.

After lunch, we headed out to the market to help Dan find his mum some sandals. After a long excavation, we came out empty handed. Abigail bought a Giraffe, or at least she thought it was until the two Dan's pointed out it was either a horse or a lama. She wasn't impressed.

We spent time in Happy Pizza drinking 50¢ beers before I realised we'd been out for six hours. It was dinner time.

Look at how happy she is!

Later that evening, we stopped for noodles. Abigail said she wouldn't eat them a few days before but after my 'gentle' persuasion techniques, which has worked on my good friend Sèbastien a number of times, she was indulging in them whilst Dan and I enjoyed a little Western food.

Back at about Savy, we all had a little dip in the pool and then it was time for bed. I'd missed The Incredibles on Fox Movies so was a little disappointed but I was soon out like a light.

It had been a great first week in Cambodia, and more specifically, Siem Reap. A benchmark to beat I feel.

Day 67 - Sunrise and Angkor Wat

My 4:30 am game face.

Day 67 - 29th August

My first full weekend in Cambodia. Another day, another dollar as they say - well it is here as everything is literally a dollar!

It was 4:15 am, a time I knew only too well from my travels around Asia. Instead of greeting it like an old friend, I stuck two fingers up and rolled over with my duvet, until my alarm eventually woke me at 4:30am.

The younguns.

I met Dan and Abigail outside in the dark at 5am and Mr Barang, our Goobalteer Tuk Tuk driver collected us for the day. After a brief five or six kilometre drive, we arrived at the Angkor Wat ticket station. An exchange of $20 dollars and a photograph for ID on the ticket was the price to pay to get in.

Stunning place. No wonder it's claimed as the 7th wonder of the world.

Shortly after, we went to Angkor Wat, the main temple on this mammoth 400km2 site and waited with hundreds, even thousands of others for the sun to come up. It was quite a sight, perhaps not as spectacular as my hot air balloon over the Nile at sunrise but definitely something I will remember from the trip.

After sunrise.

Trying to be artistic. I think it works.

It really is amazing to stand before this place. The picture do it no justice.

We walked through the temples, marvelling at the architecture and the sheer scale of some of the rooms and corridors. It really was something to behold. For the first time, words cannot describe this site so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

It's a huge, complex maze of corridors, courtyards and towers.

The back entrance to Angkor Wat temple.

After visiting Angkor Wat, we went to Angkor Thom and the stunning Bayon temple, which was a larger site and we were able to climb to the top for some awesome photos. 

Group shot!

At Angkor Thom site at the Bayon Temple. Look at that tan!

The bridge entrance to Angkor Thom

Again, incredible and mind blowing stuff at the Bayon Temple.

The smiley face.

The incredible Baphuon Temple.

From inside the courtyard.

View from the top of Baphuon Temple, it was quite the hike up those steps.

Mr Barang, our loyal Tuk Tuk driver. What a great guy!

Ta Prohm was another magnificent site, the detail on these temples is beautiful.

The 'Tomb Raider' temple and me!

Now the group picture!

The famous tree on the other side.

When we returned to Siem Reap around lunchtime, I went to work on more sports articles. What should have taken an hour took six. I was so engrossed I lost track of time. I managed to write the articles to a standard I was happy with. Just six more published and they start paying me! 

Abigail, Dan and I headed out and found Little India, a nice spot on the Main Street for curry. My non-vegetarian Thali (I assume that is just a meat Thali then) was delicious and at only $5 with a drink, it was a bargain.

We all headed back for a night swim before getting an early night. It had been a truly long day.

Special note - Mr Barang, our Tuk Tuk driver: thank you very much for an awesome day, you really did make it much easier and convenient to get around and your patience in waiting hours for us was much appreciated. A definite recommendation to anyone going to Siem Reap.

Day 66 - Kids coaching coaches, afternoon raining madness and a night down pub street

New sports shirt for $4, official Adidas, it can't be sniffed at.

Day 66 - 28th August

So it was the last day of the working week and the kids were due to teach us their drills, applying what they had learned in the week. The groups took it one at a time and there were some fantastic drills. My particular favourite was showing awareness of pregnant women, whereby we had to stuff balls up our shirts in simulation then walk like pregnant women in and out of cones and team members. It brought a great sound of approval from the other kids and coaches alike and it was a fitting way to end a brilliant week with CAC and the other Cambodian coaches.

I was given another three hour break before DK and I went to project C and took four back to back lessons. The classes were much smaller than I was normally used to, this time averaging six kids per class. My other fellow volunteers who were teaching were there too and we had some banter with the kids whilst we taught them.

This actually has nothing to do with Cambodia but this picture is awesome so it's going in. Look at the photobomb from the dude behind us.

When the third lesson began, it started to rain as it does daily now - it's wet season of course. The lesson was played out beneath a canopy on concrete and then the final lesson was cancelled because the teacher didn't want the children outside. This didn't stop them.

They were jumping and swimming in puddles, trying to pull DK into the pools of rain eps steer and throwing buckets of water all over him. They also hid his flip flops and then brought me into the game, when a little girl ran up to me and said, 'Teacher, Teacher, do you like being wet?' My response of not being fussed and coming from England so I'm virtually always wet was met with a dousing from a bucket of water from two girls. How can you not laugh along with the kids when they do this?

I was then entertaining a four year old, who spoke better English than I did, by bouncing the ball really high and letting it smack me on the head. He thought it was hilarious and told me to do it again and again. After the twentieth attempt, I felt woozy.

I moved onto another kid, who had burned his foot badly on a fire earlier that week and couldn't walk. I gave him piggyback rides around the yard, from his class to the library, much to his delight. I love this project!

Come 5pm, it was time to leave and I was a little upset. It had been an awesome way to round off my first week as a Globalteer Sport volunteer. I'd taught a few lessons on my own, had great fun with the kids and DK and learned so much. Roll on the next eight weeks I say.

My minced pork baguette for dinner

Back at Chè Bou Savy, I met with Dan. We'd arranged to go out for dinner that evening, whilst Abigail went out with her volunteer colleague from Russia, Lena. We headed to the Red Piano, a quaint little spot on the end of pub street whilst they went to the Banana Leaf.

Our dimly lit pool table that was accompanied with a lady boy.

Later, we all met at the Yellow Submarine ( yes, a Beatles themed bar) for drinks and stories about our projects.

Finally, we headed back and retired to bed. Owe were getting up early (4:30am) for a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat - Jolie, eat your heart out baby!

Day 65 - Pancakes, coaching and cycling in the rain.

Looks like a waffle, tastes like a pancake. This is what I'll be eating for the next 62 days in Cambodia!

Day 65 - 27th August

Thursday and another morning of coaching the kids on the AstroTurf. This was the first breakfast at Bou Savy, I went for the banana pancakes - of course I did.

When we arrived at the AstroTurf, the kids were bouncing around and in great spirits. Hooch, Spring, DK and Srey Mom were harnessing the energy and putting the kids through their paces. Some of them were getting really involved and the news that they would be coaching a lesson themselves in groups tomorrow and would be assessed in a fun way to see how much they had learned and taken away from the week.

Half an hour from the end, they were given a time slot to plan their training session that would have to last 15 minutes or so. We had seven teams - Team Winner, Team Loser, FC FC, Team Cambodia, Team Angkor and a couple of others I've forgotten - sorry kids!

They really embraced the spirit of teamwork and the games that we had played that week, writing down their ideas, pointing out to the field as they plotted their drills and laughing as they did so.

On the way back, Charlie called DK to let him know there would be no afternoon sessions. Another free afternoon for me.

Love a lunchtime beer, here! (Except when working of course, but I had the afternoon off!)

I opted to cycle into the city centre in the pouring rain and send mine and Anne Banana's postcards from the main post office. Trying to get away with Vietnam stamps on them was like trying to walk into a temple with my shoes on. Tut tut, Dan! The cashier did not look impressed.

After, I grabbed some lunch at Viva, the Mexican restaurant on Hospital Street. The burrito was incredible and with an Angkor beer, I was extremely happy.

Viva Mexican, a cracking little spot.

My day went to its peak when I called my Nanna. The sound of her voice was amazing, I've missed her so much. She was genuinely pleased to hear from me, and was telling me about my postcards that she'd received. I'll definitely be calling more often now with my new Cambodian phone.

Look at those beauties!

I then called my sister, Mum and Dad to see how they were doing and then I ate my burrito, bought some new sports clothing and a pair of elephant print trousers. All for $14, so I was now David Dickinson, complete with a tan.

When I arrived back at the guesthouse, I was told we would be having a game that night with the women's team the coaches had put together. Hooch rushed down the vindaloo he'd bought in 15 minutes, telling me he'd be playing centre back tonight.

We were collected by Tuk Tuk and then it all went wrong. Spring forgot her boots, the rain fell from the sky like I've never seen before and we were waiting around in a strobe lighted Tuk Tuk for half an hour waiting for it to pass. It didn't.

The game was cancelled so Hooch and I came back and we went our separate ways for the rest of the evening. Jack and Jill was on Fox Movies and I realised that movies like this were ruining Adam Sandler's career - where are the days of the Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison calibre of films?

Another great day, filled with fun. Bring on the last day of the week!

Day 64 - Fitness, Khmer lessons and volunteer meet ups

A steal at $5.

Day 64 - 26th August

Another early start and I was on my Tuk Tuk heading to the AstroTurf again with DK, Seren and the older guy coach (damn, I wish I'd taken his name). The language barrier had been an issue.

My room is a sweet deal.

We had another great run out with the kids as I observed, ran around with them and tried my best to gather up bibs, balls and boys who were shooting at one of the end goals. The social messages flowed again, today was about domestic abuse and alcohol affects on the ability to play sports successfully. I was fascinated to see the kids engaging on these topic, but also saddened knowing that quite a few had been exposed to these at such a young age.

Following the end of another three hour session, I headed back to Bou Savy for lunch and was texted shortly after by DK to let me know that due to heavy rain, we wouldn't be having any afternoon sessions. This wet season is truly wet! 

Unfortunately though, I didn't see this text and headed out to the office, getting soaked in the two minutes it took me to run to it. I was told I'd have a Khmer language lesson with Vith at 4:30 with the other Dan and Abigail, another English volunteer working in a school. 

After a few hours writing sports articles and reading a little more Papillon, I went back to the office and learned number, basic expressions and a little more about Vith. He is quite an inspiring chap and he told me his dream was to be a tour guide one day, given his knowledge on past Kings of Cambodia. I'm sure a trip with him to Angkor Wat would be worth it's weight in gold.

So they have Batman Tuk Tuk's here. I'm very happy about this.

By 6pm, Dan, Abigail and I headed out into the city centre for dinner. We stopped at a restaurant, which I think was called the Khmer Restaurant (original, I know) that had red and white check table cloths. I had a rice dish with noodles, Dan has BBQ wings and rice (I was envious) and Abigail had an omelette (it looked pretty good).

A quick post dinner walk around the night market saw me haggling for Abigail to get some animal print trousers and another item. We got it down to $6 from $12 I think. 50% off is not to be sniffed at, my mum would be proud!

Before getting back to Bou Savy, we stopped for chocolate and banana pancakes (seriously, it's an addiction now) and I went to Angkor Market (a supermarket) for Oreos and Ritz crackers just to snack on. I pick up a few cans of Fanta, finding a red berry flavour for the first time. It wasn't too bad.

Another long day drew to a close and with WWE and The Taking Of Pelham 123 on Fox Movies, I passed out.

Day 63 - First day working at Globalteer

I'm a globalteerer!

Day 63 - 25th August

Early start. I'm used to getting up and jumping on a night bus at 4am but getting up to work again is a strange feeling.

I headed to the Globalteer office to meet my coach, DK. He is a 22 year old, joker of the pack. Perfect for me to learn from and assist with coaching sessions. 

For my first week, our normal itinerary was changed because Coaches Across Continents (CAC) was in town for the week - CAC are a program based in the U.S. who coach different groups of people around the world, including children.

Turner (nicknamed Hooch) and his co-coach, Spring were soccer coaches from North Carolina and St Louis respectively. They were coaching the kids and the Cambodian coaches who were learning new techniques to engage with youth trainers and to ensure children taking sports classes received a social message that affects everyday Cambodian life. Specific topics included health and wellbeing, safe sex and HIV, drugs and alcohol, and domestic violence. Powerful stuff but the way in which the coaches approached these issues was great.

We conducted a few drills in a circle before we opened up into heading and passing games. The kids were great, laughing and running around without a worry on their mind. It was amazing to be a part of. I also met another coach I'd be working with - Srey Mom. She was joking around and laughing so I knew we'd be having a giggle at some point in the future.

By the time the three hour session, running from 8 to 11 had finished, I was told by DK I'd have a break until 2:15pm, when we would head out to our afternoon lessons. It was a strange concept to me, taking a break during the middle of a working day but honestly, given the heat, I was glad to get out of the sun!

I headed back to Bou Savy, grabbed some spinach with rice and pork and relaxed for a while. I began my book, Papillon - a true story of Henrì Charriere and his time in French Guiana (if you get a chance, read it or watch the film with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, you won't be disappointed) - and let the hours drift away.

When I headed back out, DK, Srey Mom and I visited two places - we'll called them site A and site B. At site A, the kids were introduced to me as a teacher and I observed as DK took our half of the 30 or so class. Srey Mom took the others to another part of the yard. 

We played the circle games again, asking kids to do funny warm ups and name their favourite kinds of fruits, countries, best friends names etc. once the first fifteen minutes had passed, we set up three teams of 6 and they faced off against each other on their concrete yard complete with goals and basketball hoops. 

Before I knew it, 60 minutes had passed and we were packing up to leave. That was my first real lesson done. A memory I shall never forget.

We headed to site B, a slightly bigger school with a sand volleyball court. Srey Mom wasn't feeling too good so DK introduced me to the class, and they asked me questions - my name, age, birth place, if I had a girlfriend (that was strange from a group of 5 - 16 year olds) - and then DK asked me to take one half of the class, applying the things I'd learned from earlier in the day whilst he took the other.

I was a little nervous but before I knew it, I had all the boys playing football, 6 on 6 in four separate teams. It was good to see them getting a little competitive. DK took the girls to play volleyball on the sand pitch. We tried to get them to mix but they were adamant they wanted to play the sports they had chosen. A challenge we'll have to tackle in the coming weeks.

As I refereed the game, I realised how great kids could be - they were well behaved, letting each team take their turn without interference, even if they were bored and when one kid fell down, another would pick him up and pat him on the back before they continued.

By the time an hour was up, I was wishing for another hour. They boys had been awesome and it just reaffirmed my good decision to take up this project. *Haggling for likes alert* - Check out the Globalteer Sports Page on Facebook and like it. It is such a great and worthy cause, making hundreds of underprivileged kids happy in Cambodia and it could use a bit more exposure! Thanks. 

FOLLOW HERE - https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

When I returned to Bou Savy, I was told that there was a football game on at an AstroTurf across town. It was my Sport Manager Charlie's team, who wanted to play against Hooch, Spring, me and the other coaches. I've missed competitive football so much so I jumped at the chance.

By 6:30, I was in a Tuk Tuk, suited in my new United shirt and Adidas trainers and headed to the pitch. By 7:15, we were on and Charlie's team gave us a lesson - the score was 11-3 (they play together regularly so our mixed together team did pretty well considering). We were unlucky too and I carry a large share of the blame after missing six or seven great chances - the bloody thing just wouldn't go in, hitting the post, bar, keeper, a gecko on the line and anything else ridiculous you can think of. Next time!!!

Back at Bou Savy, I had a quick dinner then showered and headed to bed. I was finished for the day. 

My first day on the project was successful and if the standard was anything to go by, I knew I was in for a treat!

Day 62 - Globalteer introductions and finding my feet

The crazy streets of Siem Reap, but a city I already appreciate.

Day 62 - 24th August

A little paradise in the suburbs.

That pool is one of my new best friends.

This is the sort of place Jordy would have booked us into. Happy days.

Pancakes were the breakfast choice of the day and then I had to head to Globalteer for my placement. The Tuk Tuk took me to BouvSavy guesthouse, a cracking little place in the north of the city, around six kilometres from Angkor Wat. This place has a pool, great staff, big private rooms and is really close to the Globalteer office.

Dave, the guesthouse assistant, checked me in. A friendly chap who told me not to get too comfortable as I'd be moving into a better room the next day. I like this place already.

At 2pm, I met another Dan who is working at the trailblazers project, creating and inputting water filters. He was on summer break from his chemical engineering degree at university and saw this as an opportunity to get some experience (or so his parents told him).

Just after two, our volunteer coordinator, Rebecca came to meet us and we begun our orientation at the office. There was so much to take in: the rules of working with children, the itinerary for each week, the ways to engage with children, ways not to favour an individual child, how to encourage, how to help them progress, showing them how to respect each other and so on. I felt a little out of my depth, worrying about how I could approach this. I'm no teacher, I'm a clown!

I was introduced to Charlie, the Sports Manager and Vith, the Khmer (Cambodia Language) teacher. Both were great guys and provided me with more information. Vith, an early twenties guy, said he'd be teaching me Khmer in the weeks I was volunteering. An exciting prospect.

Rebecca took us out and around Siem Reap to give us a feeling of our new home - mine for the next 9 weeks. The local parts of the city are fantastic with great restaurants and amenities. I was already looking forward to discovering the place.

Globalteer rented me a bike to get around and then I was told I'd start tomorrow.

I met Sèbastien for dinner and he told me all about his time at Angkor Wat. His pictures were amazing and I couldn't wait to get there myself. Maybe the weekend would present an opportunity.

I can Thali-ly contain myself. Taxi for Dan?

We visited Dashkin's, notoriously known as the best Indian in Siem Reap. I was glad to have tried a meat Thali there. It was exquisite. As per usual, I dropped the curry in my lap - it must be the etiquette and pressure of eating in a restaurant that makes me turn into a loof and drop at least a fork or spoonful in my lap.

I showed Sèbastien my new home and gave him back his suit. We had a bittersweet farewell and thanked each other (like bros) for so many laughs and great times. I'm going to miss him!

I went to bed, excited to start my placement. What a life I have right now! I know - lucky bastard right?

Day 61 - Cambodia South to North in 14 hours

My first picture in Cambodia, notice the tired look... also probably not a good idea to be sporting a Vietnam t-shirt at the Cambodian border!

Day 61 - 23rd August

A nice monument on arrival, one of many.

So I crossed into Cambodia and was greeted as the first on our bus at border control. A quick look and finger print scan had me passing through easily.

One of the many casinos as you enter Cambodia from the south, it was like a mini Las Vegas down there!

Sèbastien and I invested in some bananas but they were so under ripe that we ended up blowing bubbles with them. Not an experience I wish to repeat in my next two months.

This is all I saw pretty much all day so sorry for the lack of inspiring photos.

For the majority of my day, I sat in the back of a hot coach, bouncing around like a kangaroo on Red Bull and just listening to music. Sèbastien and I engaged in a couple of conversations but we were both clearly still thinking how much it sucked to have left Jordy behind and how the girls were now gone. We were glad they made it home safe.

The Cambodian countryside was stunning, and I began to appreciate the struggles he people have sustained here. In Cambodia's past, the educated were killed, books were burned and schools were turned into prisons which has left half the population either at 20 years old or younger. A staggering statistic.

We stopped at Phomn Pehn for lunch and soon after, felt queasy. The bus operator told us we'd be staying for two hours, but when we checked because it didn't sound right, it was in fact half an hour because we were leaving at two pm. Lucky escape there,

Another six hours later, we arrived in Siem Reap. The sun had gone down and we had no idea where we were. A short negotiation managed to get us a Tuk Tuk and within ten minutes we were 4KM into the city, $2 down and dropped off at I Win hostel. It wasn't great, with no locks on door, no sign of a locker and a light switch that didn't work for the whole dorm, but did the trick.

After finding Sèbastien details of a bus ticket to Bangkok, we retired to bed. It had been a long day and  my volunteering would begin bright and early the next day.

Exciting times ahead.

Vietnam recap

Well, two months down, and so much more has happened. Vietnam has been pivotal in my travels, I know that already. It has shown me so many different things, offered me so many different experiences and left me with a deep sense of loss at having to leave. 

Again the people I have met have made this part of the trip and some of the things I've seen wil never be describable to people back home.

So my highlights of each place:

HANOI - 28th July - 31st July and 02nd August - 04th August

Top 5 moments:

- Meeting Dutch chaps, Matthijs, Jordy and Sèbastien.

- The Old Quarter.

- The Water Puppet show.

- Hoa Lo Prison.

- The street food.

SAPA - 01st August - 02nd August

Top 5 moments:

- The Sapa Squad.

- The trekking through rice fields and villages.

- Being conned out of 400,000 VND.

- Za, our tour guide.

- The epic games of Mafia at the home stay.

HALONG BAY - 04th August - 06th August

Top 5 moments:

- Sitting up all night with the stars, waiting for sunrise.

- Kayaking.

- Cat Ba Island.

- Swimming at night.

- Monkey Island.

PHONG NHA - 07th August

Top 5 moments:

- Riding a motorcycle for the first time.

- Zip lining and caving.

- Meeting Danish double, Anne and Julie.

- Easy Tiger.

- The landscape.

HUÈ - 08th August - 09th August

Top 5 moments:

- The Indian restaurant.

- Playing Jenga in a nightclub.

- Banana pancakes!

- Hiring motorcycles for the ride to Hoi An.

- Julie and Anne crashing the bike within 30 seconds of leaving the hire place.

HOI AN - 09th August - 15th August

Top moments (there's more than five because there were too many to pick from):

- Suits - selecting, fitting and buying.

- Falling down the stairs in Why Not club.

- Cargo - the best desserts in town.

- Spraying Sèbastien with the bidet hose.

- Convincing Sèbastien to stay on with us all the way to the end.

- Losing the bike lock and having to saw it off.

- Meeting Mr Xè.

- Watching Dayana eat crab and explain why she's never seen any Disney movies.

- Playing the Green and Black / CB game with Julie.

NHA TRANG - 16th August

Top 5 moments:

- Funky Monkey boat trip.

- Snorkelling with fish and sea snakes.

- Karaoke.

- Vegetarian dinner place.

- The poached regs at breakfast - finally, someone who can cook an egg well!

DALAT - 17th August - 19th August

Top 5 moments:

- Canyoning.

- The Crazy House.

- The bed bug terror.

- Winning with Julie at pool against Sèbastien, Jordy and Anne.

- The Bee Bar

MUI NE - 19th August - 20th August

Top 5 moments:

- Duning and quad biking.

- The beachside hostel.

- The live music bar.

- The relaxation.

- The food.

HO CHI MINH / SAIGON - 21st August - 23rd August

Top 5 moments:

- Cu Chi War Tunnels.

- Walking Tour.

- War Museum.

- AB Tower sky bar.

- Last drink with the Crazy Gang.

Vietnam was something really special, I'll never be able to go anywhere without remembering it. A special thanks to everyone I met this time around, and a extra special thanks to Jordy, Sèbastien, Anne Banana and Lady Julie - you guys made this for me!

Special notes:

Matthijs - You are a down to earth guy, my friend. It was great meeting you in Hanoi and Hoi An and I'm glad we had some good talks over beers. I hope to see you in England one day or perhaps when I come to The Netherlands. All the best.

Dayana - Thanks for the banter and for entertaining me when you ate crab. If I still know you in a year, and you still haven't watched a Disney Movie, I'm going to send you every Disney Classic to watch. I swear! Good luck in London and stay away from Budapest!

To the members of my crazy gang:

Jordy - What a guy! Your organisational skills, diplomacy and general zest for life is something that made you easy to be around.

I want to give you a big thanks for pushing me to do all that crazy crap, like kayaking around giant islands in Halong Bay, zip lining, cave swimming and motorbiking in Huè and all the way to Hoi An, getting me to buy ANOTHER suit from Mr Xè, abseiling off huge rocks and especially for telling me not to be a pussy and giving me the motivation to do the 11 metre cliff dive! 

Thank you buddy and I look forward to visiting you in The Netherlands and for you to come to Old Trafford to watch a United game with me!

Sèbastien - What's happening Ricki? Watching you go from being conservative in every respect to a maverick with a cavalier attitude in just under four weeks has been a pleasure.

We may have done the Rush Hour impressions to death, but we ruled them. Thanks for being my wing man on the joke front, for giving me a good run for my money at pool, for sharing my indulgence of food at all times of the day and especially for singing 'Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough' with me at Karaoke. I'll never forget that.

Equally, thanks for staying with the group in Hoi An. It wouldn't have been the same without you if you'd left, and sorry for sending your food back to waste time and for orchestrating you missing your flight. I did it for the gang.

As with Jordy, I'll see you in The Netherlands and when you come over to England for the game . . . And Johnson, what panties you wearing man?

Anne Banana - Ah, what an angel. Your happy demeanour and fun style of living just made it impossible for me to dislike anything about you. 

I'm always going to remember wrapping you in a white towel and cradling you just because we all wanted to see your baby face in that scenario and your giggling in the night when I was trying to go to sleep. Talking to you was so easy and I'm glad we had the chance to travel the majority of Vietnam together, seeing some crazy stuff and both of us learning how to ride bikes. You rocked it.

One thing I'll also never forget is your ability to steal my things. In our time together, you took precisely three towels, two door keys and a bar of my soap. It was lucky I was aware really.

Keep those smiles coming and I'll see you in Copenhagen! That's a promise.

Lady Julie - Best until last they say. The way in which you can look like you're going to kill me and then produce this sweet smile is something I'll really miss.

At times I know you were missing home and the people there but without you in the group, I wouldn't have had someone who could attempt to bring my energy levels down (sorry but like all others, you failed, but nice try).

Our bus trips and sleeping arrangements are going to take some time to get used to not having. It was always fun playing the green and black / CB game, doing impressions of your voice and learning Danish with you. I'm practicing still, I swear. I won't miss you pouring water over me, pinching or punching me. Oh, and I definitely won't miss you asking me to repeat everything five times.

I'll miss you Lady, and I'll really miss applying the antiseptic gel to your cut. It was the highlight of my day.

Keep your eyes open - one day, I might just appear in Denmark for surprise piña coladas!

Best of luck to you all, and thanks. You made my Vietnam trip!