Day 78 - Pagodas, Putting and BBQ Indecisions

Putt me out of my misery. I lost!

Day 78 - 09th September

Wednesday's always bring a busy morning, with chaos and a more relaxed afternoon, with more chaos. Ha!

The progression of our lesson plan for the week was going well, with the kids recognising that education is a pivotal part of their childhood. It may sound mundane to us as adults but to them, when they lack guidance sometimes, good work like the kind DK, Srey Mom and all at Globalteer can make the difference here, believe me!

One of the many beautiful pagodas in Siem Reap.

I was running around so much that I forgot all about our (Dan and Abigail with me) visit to the pagodas with Vith and Becca. That Vith knows his stuff, answering most of our questions without hesitation. I threw him a couple of curve balls, which I apologise for, and he said he come back to me on them. He really is a good guy.

I learned more about Buddhism, the teachings, how Monks live their lives in the city and about the different types of praying techniques - different for men and women, of course!

After our visit, Dan, Abigail and I went to a BBQ restaurant based on Becca's recommendation. As Dan and I settled down for a pitcher of beer each, Abigail announced she didn't want to eat any of the food on the menu! Not the best news but life throws up these little challenges I suppose.

Abigail put her ball O.B. Here she's looking for it - don't ask me how, she's a push-shotter!

We decided to go and finish what we'd started at the Angkor Wat Putt golf place before dinner at the same BBQ place from last night. Of course, we ended up getting lost trying to find it again, like last Friday but eventually we found it after a joy ride in the back of a young lad's Tuk Tuk. He called in help from his dad to help him and I had a conversation with his dad to confirm where we wanted to go. He seemed like a nice fella, just from his voice.

The winner at work.

Dan won the golf narrowly, with me coming second and Abigail push shoting her way to third. All great fun I suppose.

It was good for $4.50!

The BBQ food this time was much better and I avoided the noodles like a cheesy pop night with free entry in fancy dress at a UK nightclub. The steak and chicken skewer with my jacket potato was pretty good, the BBQ sauce could do with a rethink.

We were all pretty tired so headed back to Chè Bou Savy. And the rest is history.

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Day 37 - Vietnam Museum of History, Hoa Lo Prison and the Hõ Chi Minh Mausoleum

The fun chaos in Hanoi

Day 37 - 30th July

So Hanoi is fast becoming my favourite city of the trip. Sorry to Shanghai and Hong Kong but this place is different. It has the big city feel but without all the high rise. I love the hustle and bustle, th mopeds speeding past me and the general friendliness of the locals. They are so good to talk too.

So I headed straight for the Vietnam Museum of History. After a sweaty walk (I defy anyone to do it without sweating) I made it. The museum was extraordinary, with some impressive pieces and information about the past. For instance, I did to know in my brother's birthday in 1954 - October 10th, that Hanoi was where Vietnam declared its independence once more. I was an uneducated swine!

There were some awful conditions that men and women were subjected to here.

After a few hours wandering the corridors, I made my way to Hoa Lo prison, where I've experienced a real eye opener. The savagery and sheer scale of brutality towards the Vietnamese people in the early 20th century before the movement was incredible. I honestly felt sick to thing that this sort of evil went on.

How the prison once looked.

Hõ Chi Minh Mausoleum

After another few hours, I headed to the Hõ Chi Minh Mausoleum and spent time wondering with my thoughts. It was a great place to visit and one highlight of my trip so far. I will look back on it with fond memories already.

On my way back to my hostel, I stopped at Caps 'n' Taps, a bar in Hàng Ba. It was 30,000 Vietnamese Dong (95p) for one beer, plus I got one free. So I had a couple of rounds and enjoyed myself. Crazy money again.

The BBQ Pork and Mushroom for dinner.

Then I booked my trip to Sapa, leaving at 9pm onFriday night on a night bus. I'm really looking forward to that. So I headed out to get some food, wandered in the rain, feeling free and then watched Enemy at the Gates with some random sin the movie room.

Not a bad end to a busy day of walking!